PERFECT ADDITION: Wild Recall Former First Round Forward
The most consistent problem for the Minnesota Wild this season has been their inability to stay healthy. Entering Thursday’s matchup in Utah, the Wild are missing superstar Kirill Kaprizov, who is out for the foreseeable future with a lower body injury that required surgery, and forward Joel Eriksson Ek, who recently landed on injured reserve right next to Kaprizov.
Through all of the injuries, the Wild have continued to win and stay very much alive in the Western Conference playoff conversation. They’ve done so, in part thanks to successful call ups from Iowa. On Thursday, president of hockey operations Bill Guerin recalled yet another forward prospect to fill in while the Wild wait to see when/if Kaprizov and Ek will be able to return.
Brendan Gaunce back to the Minnesota Wild
The lucky forward who received the call this time around is former first round NHL Draft pick Brendan Gaunce, who was selected with the 26th overall pick back in 2012. Now 30 years old, with 182 NHL games under his belt, this will be Gauce’s 6th appearance on the season in Minnesota, his first in a Wild sweater.
In his five games on the active roster this season, Brendan Gaunce is averaging 9:29 time on ice. He has yet to record a point, and has only put four of his 11 shots on goal. In his 9-year NHL career, the Ontario, CA native has scored 13 goals and accumulated 28 total points.
In 35 games for the Iowa Wild this season, Gaunce has potted 15 goals and assisted on 14 more (29 points). His plus-minus is an unfortunate -15, but the former Belleville Bull has poured in a trio of game winning goals down on the farm, as well.
The Wild will be looking to bounce back from their loss against the Detroit Red Wings in their last time out. After a 2-0 lead they gave up three straight and dropped the game by a 3-2 tally. Minnesota’s 72 points have them third in the Central Division of the Western Conference.
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