Detroit reassigns goaltender Joey MacDonald to Grand Rapids of AHL

DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings have reassigned goalie Joey MacDonald to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL.

MacDonald was Ty Conklin's backup for Detroit in its game at Columbus on Tuesday night—with usual starter Jimmy Howard excused from the team for the birth of his first child.

MacDonald signed a two-year contract extension over the summer.

He hasn't played yet for Detroit this season, but he went 5-5-3 with a 2.58 goals-against average for the Red Wings in 2010-11.

In five appearances with Grand Rapids this season, MacDonald is 3-2-0 with a 1.98 GAA.