Red Wings' Brendan Smith goes to IR with hand injury; Xavier Ouellet called up

Detroit Red Wings' Brendan Smith, right, congratulates Tomas Tatar, of Slovakia, on his goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the first period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

DETROIT – Red Wings defenseman Brendan Smith has been placed on seven-day injured reserve following a fight during Tuesday night's 5-0 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

It was 4-0 in the 3rd period when he decided to drop the gloves with Nick Foligno, and Smith went to the dressing room afterward with an apparent injury. According to reports, he got some kind of infection in his hand.

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The move makes room for 21-year-old Xavier Ouellet to enter the Red Wings lineup. Ouellett has appeared in 13 games this season with the AHL's Grand Rapids Griffins, in which he collected five points.

The native of France made his NHL debut last season with the Wings on Oct. 21 against the San Jose Sharks. Overall, he played in four regular season games and one playoff game last year with the Red Wings.

He was selected 48th overall by Detroit in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

The Red Wings next face the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday in Winnipeg.