Red Wings Assign Finnie to Grand Rapids Griffins

The cavalry isn’t coming to help the Grand Rapids Griffins. But Western Hockey League standout Emmitt Finnie is.

The Red Wings announced that the Kamloops Blazers standout has been assigned to their AHL affiliate. That’s welcome news for a Griffins team that ran short of forwards last week because of Detroit call-ups and injuries.

Finnie, drafted 201st overall in 2023, has exceeded expectations with his development. He’s coming off an exceptional season in which he scored 37 goals and totaled 84 points in just 54 games. He played three games for the Griffins last season.

Emmitt Finnie is bringing his stellar season to Grand Rapids! 👀 #GoGRG #LGRW https://t.co/ebDfSVUhHC

— Winged Wheel Podcast (@WingedWheelPod) March 24, 2025

The Griffins, despite recent scoring woes, need just four points to clinch an AHL playoff berth. Getting the Griffins into the playoffs is important to the Red Wings organization because the team has a handful of Detroit’s top prospects on the roster, including goalie Sebastian Cossa, center Nate Danielson and defensemen William Wallinder, Antti Tuomisto, Shai Buium and Anton Johansson.

Kasper Success Story

Last season, Marco Kasper played well for the Griffins down the stretch and into the playoffs. Simon Edvinsson and Albert Johansson played well for the Griffins, and all three of those players have stepped up for Detroit this season.

Depending upon what happens in the Swedish Hockey League playoffs and the Red Wings’ postseason hopes, the Griffins could end up with Detroit current top prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka this spring.

The Griffins (32-24-4-2), currently on a five-game homestand, play the Central Division-leading Texas Stars at Van Andel Arena Wednesday.

As happens with all AHL affiliates, the Griffins roster has been a merry-go-round this season. After losing Kasper permanently early in the season, the Griffins have lost Elmer Soderblom, Dominik Shine, Carter Mazur, Sheldon Dries, Brogan Rafferty, William Lagesson and Austin Watson at various times. Mazur is out for the season with an injury.

Even though Grand Rapids is scoring 2.77 goals per game and giving up 3.15 per game over the past 13 games, they have earned points in eight of those games.

They are currently in third place in the Central Division, and that’s important because the top three places earn first-round byes.