GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday recalled forward Martin Frk from the Grand Rapids Griffins and the Griffins assigned defenseman Marcus Crawford to the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye.
Since being assigned by Detroit to Grand Rapids on Feb. 14, Frk ties for second on the Griffins with 13 points (4-9—13) and leads the team with a plus-12 rating in 10 games during that span. The 25-year-old has accumulated nine points (3-6—9) during his six-game point streak, which is one off his AHL career high.
A 6-foot-1, 205-pound winger, Frk has totaled 131 points (67-64—131) and 191 penalty minutes in 224 regular season contests with the Griffins since 2013. His 25 career power play goals tie for third on the franchise’s all-time list. Frk netted the Calder Cup-clinching goal in the third period of Game 6 of the 2017 Finals against Syracuse and has contributed 21 points (6-15—21) in 26 postseason tilts.
Detroit’s first selection, 49th overall, in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, Frk began this season with the Red Wings and recorded five points (1-4—5) and two PIM while averaging 8:24 of ice time in 25 appearances. He has skated in 93 games with the Red Wings the last two seasons, tallying 30 points (12-18—30) and 16 PIM. Frk made his NHL debut with the Carolina Hurricanes at the beginning of the 2016-17 campaign – becoming the 156th Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL when he debuted on Oct. 18 at Edmonton – and played in a total of two games.
A native of Pelhrimov, Czech Republic, Frk skated with the QMJHL’s Halifax Mooseheads from 2010-13 and capped his junior career by helping the club claim the Memorial Cup in 2013.
Making his AHL debut this season, Crawford, 21, has played in five games with the Griffins and tallied 11 shots.
The 5-foot-11, 196-pound defenseman has appeared in 48 games with the Walleye during his rookie campaign and places second among team blueliners in scoring with 26 points (3-23—26) while posting a plus-six rating and 26 PIM. He shows six points (0-6—6) in his last seven ECHL contests.
Before turning professional, Crawford played four seasons with the Ontario Hockey League’s Saginaw Spirit, totaling 149 points (23-126—149) and 174 PIM in 252 outings from 2014-18. During the 2017-18 campaign, the Ajax, Ontario, native ranked sixth among league defensemen with 53 points (13-40—53) while posting career highs in points, goals, assists and games played (68).
After finishing their season-high six-game road trip with a 5-1 record, the Griffins return to Van Andel Arena on Friday to host the Central Division-leading Chicago Wolves at 7 p.m.
Frk’s recall came after a Red Wings’ practice today. Coach Jeff Blashill revealed some injury information about the team as they limp into the end of the season, per Wakiji:
#RedWings Blashill says Glendening is expected to play tomorrow, likely Mantha too, but they are calling up Frk under emergency conditions in case one or both can’t go. Vanek and Rasmussen still out.
— Dana Wakiji (@Dwakiji) March 27, 2019
He later revealed to the press that it’s likely Rasmussen is done for the season. We’ll find out tomorrow whether Frk will factor into the lineup or is just fancy Cabana-dressing.
