After signing Yakov Trenin to a contract with term and bringing in two depth pieces, the Minnesota Wild have signed six more veteran players to help the Iowa Wild. The AHL team struggled last year when their team was stripped of veteran players because of injuries in Minnesota. The young players need mentors and this also gives Minnesota more flexibility if they need to make call-ups.
Defenseman Joseph Cecconi signed a one-year, two-way contract. The cap hit is $775k for the NHL and $325k for the AHL. Cecconi played the last two seasons with the Rochester Americans. Last season, he played 58 games and put up 13 points (1 goal and 12 assists). He also had 60 penalty minutes. Cecconi adds good size to the Iowa team and is a shutdown defenseman.
Defenseman Cameron Crotty signed a one-year, two-way contract. The cap hit is $775k for the NHL and $500k for the AHL. Crotty spent the past four seasons with the Tucson Roadrunners. Last season, Crotty put up 13 points (3 goals and 10 assists) along with 28 penalty minutes during 55 games played. Crotty also brings size to the Iowa team but is a great skater despite his large frame.
Center Brendan Gaunce signed a two-year, two-way contract. The cap hit is $775k for the NHL and $550k for the AHL. Gauce spent the past two years in the Columbus Blue Jackets organization, splitting time between the NHL and the Cleveland Monsters, their AHL team. Gaunce is a large two-way forward. Last year, he was the captain of the Monsters and played 46 games with the team. He scored 39 points (19 goals and 20 assists) and 37 penalty minutes.
Goalie Troy Grosenick signed a one-year, two-way contract. The cap hit is $775k for the NHL and $250k for the AHL. Grosenick played 30 games with the Milwaukee Admirals. He had a 2.56 goals against average and .907 save percentage. Grosenick has played in 4 NHL games while also dressing as a backup for several more. He’s an athletic, smooth-moving goalie who adds another option to the Minnesota Wild goalie pool.
Right winger Reese Johnson signed a one-year, two-way contract. The cap hit is $775k for the NHL and $500k for the AHL. Johnson spent the past two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks while the two before that were split between Chicago and their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. He is a more defensively-minded forward,
Center Ben Jones signed a two-year, two-way contract. The cap hit is $775k for the NHL and $275k for the AHL. Last season, he played 43 games with the Calgary Wranglers. Jones scored 43 points (21 goals and 22 assists) and had 59 penalty minutes. He has skated in 2 NHL games with the Vegas Golden Knights. Jones brings a defense-first mindset and is a strong penalty killer.
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