Finnish star Granlund signs with Minnesota Wild

Published 8:31 am Thursday, May 24, 2012

MINNEAPOLIS — Finnish star forward Mikael Granlund has signed his contract with the Minnesota Wild and will join the offensively challenged team for training camp.

Granlund announced the news on the Wild’s website Wednesday. The Wild selected the flashy scorer with the ninth overall draft pick in 2010. He signed a three-year deal after scoring 20 goals in 45 games for HIFK Helsinki in the Finnish elite league.

The 20-year-old Granlund will be counted on to step in right away and boost the Wild’s offensive output. Minnesota ranked last in goals per game last season with an average of just 2.02. The playmaking center had 41 goals and 86 assists in three seasons with his pro team in Finland.

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