Red Wings Player Heads to Griffins for Conditioning Stint

Goalie Ville Husso moved a step closer to moving into the Detroit Red Wings goaltending mix when he was loaned to the Grand Rapids Griffins for a conditioning stint.

“It’s been a long road but I feel good now and hopefully get a couple games in GR soon,” Husso said. “The last couple weeks have been better. Feel good now. More mentally try to prepare like we make the playoffs and then be an option. That’s been my biggest thing the last couple of weeks.”

Husso hasn’t played since Feb. 13 when he was injured after playing just over eight minutes against the Edmonton Oilers. He started the season as the team’s No. 1 goalie. Husso was 9-5-2 before the injury, but had a 3.55 goals-against average and an .892 save percentage.  Alex Lyon is now the Red Wings’ No. 1 goalie.

The Griffins play Friday at home against the Rockford IceHogs and then play Saturday and Sunday on the road against the Chicago Wolves.

This is the second time this season Husso has had a conditioning assignment in Grand Rapids. On Jan. 26, Husso posted 26 saves for Grand Rapids to shut out the Belleville Senators.

This injury is not related to his first injury. Husso said he might have come back too soon from his first injury. The Red Wings have never disclosed either injury.

#RedWings Lalonde: same lineup tomorrow vs. Capitals. Lyon starts. Rasmussen still out and day to day. Walman “not himself lately” but available. Husso will go to @griffinshockey to practice this week and get in a game or two this weekend on conditioning stint.

— Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) April 8, 2024

“Yeah, different stuff,” Husso said. “I guess it’s part of it. It’s one of those years that everything goes not your way. It’s been tough but it’s hockey. I’ll be stronger when I come back. I feel pretty comfortable now.”

Husso said there was no consideration for shutting down for the rest of the season.

“Not in my head, never,” he said. “I wish I could have recovered a little faster, been almost eight weeks since I played last game. I wish we’ll make the playoffs and you never know what’s going to happen. In my head the last couple weeks I was like make sure I’m ready if I get the call to play here or wherever. There was no thoughts that I would not play (again) this year.”

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