Red Wings recall Meech, GR signs Galvin

The Detroit Red Wings today recalled defenseman Derek Meech from the Grand Rapids Griffins, who then signed defenseman Tom Galvin.

Galvin, a 2004 Notre Dame graduate, played last season with the Muskegon Fury. He originally signed a professional tryout with the Griffins on Oct. 3, 2006 and a standard player's contract today. The 27-year-old has contributed three assists and a plus-four rating in eight games with the Griffins.

Meech (pictured) was the Wings' seventh-round pick in 2002 and in juniors, was partnered with Calgary's Dion Phaneuf with the Red Deer Rebels and with Team Canada at the World Junior Championship.

An alternate captain in his third campaign with Grand Rapids, Meech has three assists and a plus-four rating in 24 contests this season, and he has totaled 37 points (10-27—37) in 181 career games as a Griffin. The 22-year-old has missed just three games (two to injury, one to suspension) during his pro career.

"Derek has been the best defenseman probably in Grand Rapids to this point in time," Detroit general manager Ken Holland said Wednesday in the Detroit Free Press.