Minnesota Wild Sign Five Players to NHL Contracts

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SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin today announced the club has signed five players to NHL contracts for the upcoming seasons:

Contract Details:

  • G Cal Petersen – One-year, one-way contract ($775,000)
  • F Nicolas Aube-Kubel – One-year, two-way contract ($775,000 NHL / $500,000 AHL)
  • D Ben Gleason – One-year, two-way contract ($800,000 NHL / $475,000 AHL)
  • D Matt Kiersted – Two-year, two-way contract
    • Year 1: $775,000 NHL / $450,000 AHL
    • Year 2: $775,000 NHL / $450,000 AHL
  • F Tyler Pitlick – Two-year, two-way contract
  • 2025–26: $775,000 NHL / $300,000 AHL
  • 2026–27: $775,000 NHL / $350,000 AHL

Cal Petersen – Goaltender, Age 30

  • Posted a 13–15–3 record with a 3.14 GAA and .885 SV% in 31 AHL games with Lehigh Valley last season
  • Career AHL stats: 215 GP, 92–98–30, 3.13 GAA, .901 SV%, 11 shutouts
  • NHL experience: 46–44–10 record, 2.96 GAA, .903 SV%, 4 shutouts in 103 games with LA and Philadelphia
  • Represented Team USA at three IIHF World Championships, earning Best Goaltender honors in 2021
  • Drafted by Buffalo in the 5th round (129th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft

Nicolas Aube-Kubel – Forward, Age 29

  • Split last season between Buffalo and the NY Rangers (22 NHL games, 2 points)
  • Added 9 points in 15 AHL games with Rochester and Hartford
  • NHL career: 304 GP, 32–48–80, 202 PIM, +10 rating
  • Stanley Cup champion with Colorado in 2022
  • Drafted 48th overall by Philadelphia in 2014

Ben Gleason – Defenseman, Age 27

  • Recorded 18 points in 36 AHL games last season with Bakersfield and Lehigh Valley
  • Career AHL totals: 388 GP, 42–149–191, 236 PIM
  • NHL debut with Dallas in 2018–19 (4 games, 1 assist)
  • Helped Hamilton win the 2018 OHL Championship

Matt Kiersted – Defenseman, Age 27

  • Led the AHL in plus-minus (+34) last season with Charlotte
  • Posted 29 points in 64 games and added 8 assists in 13 playoff games
  • Career AHL: 233 GP, 85 points, +57 rating
  • NHL: 39 games with Florida (2–5–7)
  • Played four seasons at the University of North Dakota

Tyler Pitlick – Forward, Age 33

  • Tallied 46 points (21–25–46) in 59 AHL games with Providence last season
  • Led the team in game-winning goals (5) and tied for the lead in goals
  • NHL veteran with 420 games played across 8 teams, including Edmonton, Dallas, and St. Louis
  • Career NHL totals: 109 points (56–53–109), 6 GWG
  • Drafted 31st overall by Edmonton in 2010

These signings add depth, experience, and versatility to the Wild’s roster heading into the 2025–26 season, bolstering both the NHL and AHL levels.

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