Detroit brings back Callahan, Jensen

The Detroit Red Wings on Monday re-signed right wing Mitch Callahan to a one-year contract and agreed to terms with defenseman Nick Jensen on a two-year contract.

 

Callahan, 23, tied for fifth in scoring on the Griffins last season with 38 points (16-22—38) in 48 games, despite suffering a season-ending ACL injury on Feb. 13 versus San Antonio. The Whittier, Calif., native also ranked among team leaders in goals (T4th), assists (T6th), power play goals (4, T4th) and power play assists (10, 3rd) during the 2014-15 campaign.
 
In four seasons with Grand Rapids from 2011-15, Callahan has amassed 111 points (59-52—111), 271 penalty minutes and a plus-20 rating in 237 games and, most notably, won a Calder Cup with the team in 2013. The 6-foot, 195-pound forward’s most productive season in Grand Rapids came during 2013-14, when he shattered his previous two-year point total (17-12—29) by garnering 44 points (26-18—44) in 70 regular season games and set career highs in goals, assists, points and plus/minus (plus-23).
Detroit’s sixth choice (180th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Callahan made his NHL debut with the Wings on March 25, 2014 in a 4-2 road loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, becoming the 144th Griffins alumnus to play in the NHL.
 
Jensen, 24, ranked second among Grand Rapids blueliners in scoring last season — his second overall as a Griffin — with 27 points (6-21—27) in 75 regular season games, in addition to tying for the AHL’s league lead in plus/minus with a plus-30 rating. The Rogers, Minn., native also potted three assists in 16 games during the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs. Detroit’s fifth choice (150th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, Jensen made his professional debut with Grand Rapids during the 2013-14 campaign, when he tallied nine assists and eight PIM in 45 games with the team.
 
Prior to turning pro, Jensen skated with the WCHA’s St. Cloud State from 2010-13, registering 86 points (15-71—86) and 36 PIM in 118 collegiate games. During his final season with the Huskies in 2012-13, he tallied 31 points (4-27—31) and 14 PIM in 42 games en route to helping his team capture its best season in franchise history with an appearance in the NCAA Frozen Four. Jensen was subsequently honored as the WCHA Defensive Player of the Year.