sheahanjurco.JPG

Riley Sheahan, left, and Tomas Jurco were key members of the Griffins before the joined the Red Wings in late February.

(MLive file photos)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco, who experienced disappointment in the Detroit Red Wings' first-round playoff elimination in Boston on Saturday, will go to a different atmosphere with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

Sheahan and Jurco, who have two-way contracts, are expected at the Griffins' practice Monday in preparation for Wednesday’s home playoff game against Abbotsford, said Ryan Martin, the Red Wings assistant general manager. The Griffins lead Abbotsford 2-0 in the best-of-five first-round series in the Calder Cup playoffs, winning both on the road Friday and Saturday.

Defenseman Xavier Ouellet, who was recalled by Detroit on April 24 and made his NHL playoff debut Saturday, will also return to Grand Rapids where he has spent most of the season.

Sheahan, the Red Wings' top draft pick in 2010, played 31 games with the Griffins, collecting 18 points (10-8-18) before recalled for good on Feb. 22. The center had 24 points (9-15-24) in 42 games with the Red Wings in the regular season, but none in the five-game first round against Boston.

Jurco, meanwhile, was in 32 games and had 32 points (13-19-32) with Grand Rapids. His final recall was also Feb. 22. In Detroit, he played in 36 games, missing time with a rib injury, and had 15 points (8-7-15). The right winger also had no points in the playoffs, playing in three games.

Their arrival will be similar - albeit earlier - to last season when Gustav Nyquist and Joakim Andersson rejoined the Griffins after the Red Wings were eliminated by Chicago in the conference semifinals. The two arrived during the Western Conference finals against Oklahoma City and, along with another addition in then-rookie prospect Danny DeKeyser, helped propel Grand Rapids to its first Calder Cup Trophy.

Pete Wallner covers sports for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at pwallner@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.