It was pretty much a no-brainer decision.

The Detroit Red Wings and Grand Rapids Griffins have announced a five-year affiliation extension that runs through the 2026-27 season.

To date, the Red Wings-Griffins affiliation has been in place for 20 years and features the most convenient NHL/AHL affiliation in terms of proximity with Little Caesars Arena and Van Andel Arena being only 157 miles apart from one another.