GRAND RAPIDS -- Brad May is coming to the Grand Rapids Griffins after all.

The Griffins announced Wednesday night that the 38-year-old NHL veteran is expected to practice with the team Tuesday morning and could make his American Hockey League debut March 4 at Peoria.

The parent club Detroit Red Wings placed May on waivers Feb. 12. He cleared, but the Red Wings gave him time during the Winter Olympics break to

.

After Wednesday night's 3-2 loss to San Antonio, Grand Rapids coach Curt Fraser said he "absolutely" is looking forward to adding May to his roster.

"We need something in that locker room." Fraser said. "Our leadership has been pretty good and they've done a nice job of trying to steer the ship in the right direction, but they need help. I think he will add a lot."

May still could rejoin the Red Wings for the playoffs, when salary cap and roster restrictions won't be an issue.

"We want Brad May to finish the year in the AHL," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said. "We think he's going to be a good role model for Grand Rapids. He's a good, veteran player to be around our kids.''

May has spent his entire professional career in the NHL, a resume that spans 19 years and 1,041 games.

Only two other plays in Griffins history have appeared in 1,000 NHL games: Kelly Miller, who played his first minor-league game with Grand Rapids in 1999-2000 after 1,057 NHL contests, and Chris Chelios, who had a two-game conditioning stint with the Griffins last season and ranks fourth all-time with 1,644 NHL games.

May has one assist, a minus-5 rating and 66 penalty minutes in 40 games with the Red Wings this season.

He also practiced with the Griffins for a week last fall before he was signed by Detroit on Oct. 8.

E-mail Michael Zuidema: