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Red Wings' Weiss makes good on AHL conditioning stint, hoping to be called up soon

John E. Sokolowski / USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Weiss did all he could to prove he's ready to be back in the NHL.

In two games with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday and Saturday, Weiss scored a pair of goals and took a big step towards proving he's all the way back from a wicked injury streak that derailed the beginning of his tenure with the Detroit Red Wings.

"It's always nice to score, but it's just nice to play in the game and feel healthy," Weiss said. "Starting in training camp last year I was playing with one leg and pretty much no stomach, and it's a hard enough league to play at that level when you're healthy, let alone when struggling with injuries."

The weekend games were part of Weiss' second attempt at an AHL conditioning stint, the first being cut short due to a groin injury. He's hoping to get the call for Detroit's next game Monday against Ottawa, but is determined to prove his mettle wherever he gets the opportunity.

"I've put in a lot of work," Weiss said. "I've changed up some things I've been doing off the ice as well, and that seems to be really helping. I'll go back at it Monday, and if I'm not in (Detroit's lineup) Monday I'll keep grinding it out and get in sometime soon, and hopefully play well enough to keep going."

For the record, Weiss' two goals with the Griffins matched his total in 27 games last season with the Red Wings.

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