Minnesota Wild Sign Brandon Duhaime

The Minnesota Wild have signed forward Brandon Duhaime to a two-year, entry-level contract. The deal will kick in for the 2019-20 season, while Duhaime will join the Iowa Wild on an amateur tryout for the rest of this year. The former Providence College standout will not return for his senior season, instead deciding to start his professional career.

Duhaime, 21, recorded 34 points in 42 games for Providence this season, helping the Friars to the Frozen Four. Originally selected in the fourth round of the 2016 draft, he has taken the necessary steps in his development to earn a professional contract and should jump right into the action with the Iowa Wild as a full-time player next season. It’s unclear if he’ll get any playing time with the Wild during their Calder Cup run, but the Parkland, Florida native could potentially help them if given the chance.

Minnesota is constantly mining the NCAA ranks for talent and once again have convinced a prospect to join their organization before flirting with unrestricted free agency. With GM Paul Fenton looking for a way to turn around the disappointing and mediocre results of the franchise quickly, college talent may be able to help. Given that Duhaime is set to turn 22 in May he could potentially be fast-tracked to the NHL, though he’ll have to prove he can translate some of that college production to the minor league level first.