Detroit City Wire

The Detroit Red Wings announced the assignment of forward Austin Watson to the American Hockey League's Grand Rapids Griffins. Watson has participated in eight games with the Red Wings this season, tallying two goals, 17 penalty minutes, seven shots, and 21 hits, with a 6:10 average time on ice.

Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 210 pounds, Watson has been an active player with the Griffins for the current season, appearing in 56 games. His performance includes ranking third in goals with 16, tied for fourth with 21 assists, and tied for second with 37 points. Amongst his teammates, he also leads in penalty minutes (94) and shots (138), and his seven power-play goals tie for the most on the team.

Watson was selected by the Nashville Predators in the first round (18th overall) of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. His NHL career spans 523 games with the Predators, Ottawa Senators, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Red Wings, accumulating 120 points and 722 penalty minutes. In playoffs, he has registered 19 points in 45 contests, contributing to Nashville's 2017 Stanley Cup Final appearance.

Before turning professional, the Ann Arbor, Mich. native played in the Ontario Hockey League, winning championships with both the Windsor Spitfires and London Knights. Internationally, Watson was part of the U.S. National Team Development Program and served as an alternate captain for Team USA in the 2022 IIHF World Championship. He also played in the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship and earned a gold medal at the 2010 IIHF World Under-18 Championship.