SAINT PAUL, Minn. - Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has agreed to terms with free-agent forward Kyle Rau on a one-year, two-way contract ($700,000/$200,000).
Rau, 24 (10/24/92), totaled three points (2-1=3) and four penalty minutes (PIM) in 24 games with the Florida Panthers (NHL) last season, adding 24 points (10-14=24) and 32 PIM in 48 games with Springfield (AHL). The 5-foot-8, 178-pound native of Eden Prairie, Minn., also appeared in nine games with Florida in 2015-16, including his NHL debut on Feb. 20, 2016 vs. Winnipeg. He's totaled 58 points (29-29=58) and 56 PIM in 118 games during parts of three AHL seasons with San Antonio (2014-15), Portland (2015-16) and Springfield.
Rau totaled 164 points (67-97=164) and 85 PIM in 160 games during four seasons at the University of Minnesota (2011-15). He was named to the 2012 WCHA All-Rookie Team, the 2014 Big Ten Second All-Star Team, the 2014 NCAA West Second All-American Team and the 2014 NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team. After posting 69 points (33-36=69) in 25 games during his senior high school season in 2010-11, Rau was named Minnesota's 2011 Mr. Hockey. He helped Eden Prairie win the 2011 Minnesota State High School League Boy's Hockey Championship at Xcel Energy Center. He was originally selected by Florida in the third round (91st overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft at Xcel Energy Center.