Red Wings Farmhand Heading to Europe

For the past two seasons, as he was toiling for the AHL Grand Rapids Griffins, forward Tim Gettinger was dreaming of the day that he’d earn a chance to play for the Wings and alongside a captain named Larkin.

That chance is finally going to arrive. However, Gettinger will be required to cross the Atlantic Ocean to make it happen.

NEWS: Detroit Red Wings' unrestricted free agent (UFA) LW Tim Gettinger has signed a one-year contract with Schwenninger (DEL).#NHL #LGRW

(📷: Nicolas Carrillo) pic.twitter.com/Hw2S2tARUp

— Around The Horn Hockey (@ATHornHockey) July 30, 2025

After two seasons as a Detroit Red Wings farmhand, UFA Gettinger is joining Schwenninger Wild Wings of  Germany’s DEL. He never got the opportunity to play an NHL game for the Red Wings alongside captain Dylan Larkin. Gettinger will be playing next season alongside captain and Italian international Thomas Larkin of the Wild Wings.

“From the very first phone call with the team, I knew that Schwenningen was the right place for me,” Gettinger told the Wild Wings website. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about the city and the fantastic fans, and I can’t wait to experience it for myself.

“I’ll give my best every night and do everything I can to help us win games.”

Gettinger Played In NHL, But Not With Red Wings

The 6-foot-6, 216-pound left-shot Gettinger is comfortably playing any position along the forward line. In two seasons with Grand Rapids, he counted 19 goals and 41 points in 109 AHL games.

Selected 141st overall by the New York Rangers in the 2016 NHL entry draft, Gettinger would play 16 games in the show with the Broadway Blueshirts. He picked up one assist as an NHLer.

Thank you Tim, we wish you all the best with the Wild Wings! pic.twitter.com/L858lBHmkW

— Grand Rapids Griffins (@griffinshockey) July 30, 2025

The Cleveland-born Gettinger signed with the Red Wings as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2023. He was not tendered a contract offer by the team this summer. Gettinger became a UFA on July 1.

“Tim made it clear to us from the start that he could very well imagine joining us,” Schwenninger Managing Director Stefan Wagner said. “We have studied him intensively and believe he can be a real asset to our team.”