From the Grand Rapids Griffins:
RED WINGS AGREE TO TERMS WITH MATT PUEMPEL
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Detroit Red Wings on Sunday agreed to terms with forward Matt Puempel on a two-year contract.
Puempel, 25, posted a career-high 57 points (23-34—57) in 62 AHL games during the 2017-18 season between the Grand Rapids Griffins (22-32—54 in 57 GP) and Hartford Wolf Pack (1-2—3 in 5 GP). He tied for third on the club with four points (1-3—4) while appearing in all five of the Griffins’ Calder Cup Playoff games. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound winger was acquired by the Red Wings via trade from the New York Rangers in exchange for Ryan Sproul on Oct. 21.
Selected to the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic, Puempel placed third on the team in points and tied for 16th in the league.
The 24th overall selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by Ottawa, Puempel has tallied 15 points (10-5—15) and 28 penalty minutes in 79 career NHL appearances between Ottawa (2014-2017) and New York (2016-17). He spent the entire 2016-17 campaign in the NHL, skating in 13 games with Ottawa before posting nine points (6-3—9) in 27 contests with New York.
A native of Essex, Ontario, Puempel has totaled 168 career points (83-85—168) and 163 PIM in 232 AHL games since 2011-12 with Binghamton (2011-16), Hartford (2017-18) and Grand Rapids. He has contributed three goals and three assists in nine Calder Cup Playoff games. Puempel recorded a career-best 30 goals in 74 games with Binghamton in 2013-14, his first full professional season.
Prior to turning pro, Puempel played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League and amassed 213 points (119-94—213) in 195 games between Peterborough (2009-12) and Kitchener (2012-13). He banked 30 or more goals in three of his four campaigns, including a team- and career-high 35 during his final junior season. He was named the OHL and CHL Rookie of the Year in 2010 after leading all first-year OHL skaters with 64 points (33-31—64) in 59 games.
