The Minnesota Wild announced a few free agent signings. They signed goaltender Cal Petersen along with forwards Tyler Pitlick, Nicolas Aube-Kubel and Nico Sturm. They have also signed defenseman Matt Kiersted.
The Wild signed the defenseman to a two-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 in the NHL and $450,000 in the American Hockey league (AHL).
Kierstad, 27, recorded one goal and 29 points in 64 games with the Charlotte Checkers last season. He lead the AHL in plus-minus rating at plus-34 and ranking second among Checkers players in assists.
The Minnesota native played his college hockey for the University of North Dakota before he signed with the Florida Panthers. He has been in the Panthers organization since 2021 after four years with North Dakota.
He recorded 20 goals, 57 assists and 77 in 127 games with UND. He earned himself All-National Collegiate Hockey Conference First Team honors as a senior in 2020-21. He has 16 goals, 69 assists and 85 points in 233 career AHL games.