Wild Inks Menell to Entry-Level Deal

ST. PAUL --Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed defenseman Brennan Menell to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Menell, 20, posted an assist in one game with Minnesota during the 2017-18 preseason, a 2-1 win vs. Colorado on Sept. 23. The native of Woodbury also recorded two assists and nine shots while skating in three games for the Wild at this year's NHL Traverse City Prospect Tournament.

The 6-foot, 181-pound blueliner posted 71 points (12-59=71) and 29 penalty minutes (PIM) in 70 games with Lethbridge of the Western Hockey League (WHL) in 2016-17, leading all WHL defensemen in assists and ranking second in points. He added 17 points (5-12=17) in and 10 PIM in 20 playoff games, ranking fourth amongst League defensemen in playoff scoring, to help Lethbridge reach the semifinals of the 2017 WHL Playoffs. Menell totaled 74 points (9-65=74) and 52 PIM in 126 games during two seasons (2014-16) with Vancouver (WHL).
Menell, along with goaltender Steve Michalek, was assigned to Iowa later Tuesday. The Wild's training camp roster now stands at 35 players.