Red Wings announce 23-man roster: Witkowski, Hronek, Hicketts assigned to GR

The Detroit Red Wings have announced their 23-man roster to start the 2018-19 season:

The #RedWings today assigned Luke Witkowski, Joe Hicketts and Filip Hronek to the AHL’s @griffinshockey, reducing the active roster to 22 players.

Details –> https://t.co/Mffep1DWpy pic.twitter.com/nLSqN0vRbD

— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) October 2, 2018

Here’s the press release:

Detroit sets roster at 22
Red Wings to open regular season on Thursday versus Columbus

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings today assigned right wing Luke Witkowski and defensemen Joe Hicketts and Filip Hronek to the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins. The moves reduce the Red Wings active roster to 22 players: 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders. The Red Wings will open the 2018-19 regular season on Thursday when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets at 7:30 p.m. at Little Caesars Arena (FOX Sports Detroit/97.1 The Ticket).

Quoth the beat writers (and me):

Witkowski Hicketts and Hronek have been assigned to Grand Rapids, reducing active roster to 22 players…there still could be flux depending on the injuries on defense. People could be recalled #RedWings

— Ted Kulfan (@tkulfan) October 2, 2018

I had a feeling that Libor Sulak would make the team ahead of Hronek. Filip had some hiccups during the exhibition season.

— George Malik (@georgemalik) October 2, 2018

#RedWings assigned D-man Joe Hicketts and Filip Hronek as well as D/F Luke Witkowski to @griffinshockey to get down to 22 players by today’s 5 p.m. deadline. But injuries to Kronwall, Ericsson likely will result in Hronek an/or Hicketts coming right back.

— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) October 2, 2018

#RedWings announce opening night roster pic.twitter.com/joCxNJWepB

— FOX 2 Sports (@FOX2Sports) October 2, 2018

Behind the scenes at Red Wings Media Day. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/G4r7nrQs2k

— FOX Sports Detroit (@FOXSportsDet) October 2, 2018