The Minnesota Wild have signed one of the most sought after college free-agents available. The Wild have signed defenseman Christian Folin.
BREAKING: #mnwild signs free-agent D @ChristianFolin from UMass Lowell. Expected to meet team in Chicago. More coming http://t.co/XGNIbLIrCx
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 1, 2014
Wild have agreed to terms with college UFA defenseman Christian Folin (UMass-Lowell). Was most coveted college UFA on the market.
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) April 1, 2014
“Christian is a big, mobile defenseman who has a heavy shot and moves the puck well,” said Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr, in a statement. “He plays a very mature game that we feel should allow him transition to the NHL very quickly. We’re very excited to have Christian join the Wild and further add to our group of emerging young players.”
According to CBS Sports, Folin was the prize of this year’s FA crop from the college ranks. The race to sign him began when University of Massachusetts-Lowell was knocked out of NCAA tournament this weekend.
The CBS report says Folin is the quality of free-agent that can step right in to the NHL and make a difference, though expectations should be kept in check.
According to the Wild, Folin has signed a two-year entry level contract. A key issue for Folin and his agent was the desire for the NHL team that signed him to let him burn a year off the entry-level contract this season. Folin will play out the rest of the regular season with the Wild, but is ineligible for the playoffs.
He will join the Wild in Chicago. The 6’3 defenseman had six goals and 14 assists for Massachusetts-Lowell this season.
