Red Wings promote Criscuolo, Hirose from AHL’s Griffins

The Detroit Red Wings have recalled forwards @Kyle Criscuolo and @Taro Hirose from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League, the club announced Wednesday.

Just hours after placing forwards @Robby Fabbri and @Michael Rasmussen in the National Hockey league’s COVID-19 protocol, Detroit has called upon some reinforcements ahead of their next game, which is scheduled for Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Prior to the game, Thursday’s morning skate at PNC Arena will likely determine how coach Jeff Blashill intends to manage the losses of Fabbri and Rasmussen, along with whether Criscuolo or Hirose will be slotted into the lineup as well.

Criscuolo, 29, made his debut with the Red Wings earlier this month, where he logged 9:17 minutes of ice-time in a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Kraken back on Dec. 1. As for his time with the Griffins, the 5’9″ center has appeared in 15 games, posting nine goals and 17 points.

Hirose, 25, has yet to appear in an NHL contest thus far in 2021-22, however, he’s compiled 42 career games at the highest level of competition from 2018-19 to 2020-21 – all of which with Detroit. During that span, the 5’10” winger averaged 14:22 minutes of ice-time per game, registering three goals and 16 points.

In the AHL, the left-hander has suited up with Grand Rapids 22 separate times this season, creating four goals and 19 points over those contests.

The Red Wings and Hurricanes will be meeting for the first time this season on Thursday, with puck drop scheduled for 7:00 pm ET.