Detroit City Wire

The Detroit Red Wings have recalled forward Austin Watson and defenseman Brogan Rafferty from the Grand Rapids Griffins under emergency conditions. This move was announced by the team on March 21, 2025.

Austin Watson, a 33-year-old forward, has played two games with the Red Wings in the current season. He has recorded two penalty minutes, one shot, and six hits over an average of seven minutes on ice per game. In his time with the Griffins this season, Watson has participated in 56 games and is among the team's leaders with 16 goals, 21 assists, and a total of 37 points. Additionally, he has a plus-nine rating and leads in penalty minutes with 94. His performance includes seven power-play goals and two shorthanded goals.

Watson's professional career began after being selected by the Nashville Predators as the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. Since then, he has played for several teams including Ottawa Senators and Tampa Bay Lightning before joining the Red Wings. Internationally, Watson served as an alternate captain for Team USA at the 2022 IIHF World Championship.

Brogan Rafferty is a 29-year-old defenseman who has recorded 19 points in his 50 games with Grand Rapids this season. Previously undrafted, Rafferty signed with Vancouver Canucks in April 2019 but spent most of his career playing in various AHL teams such as Utica Comets and San Diego Gulls.

Before turning professional, Rafferty attended Quinnipiac University where he played three seasons of collegiate hockey. Originally from West Dundee, Illinois, Rafferty also had stints in junior leagues like United States Hockey League (USHL) and North American Hockey League (NAHL).