Minnesota Wild announced that they have extended goaltender Jesper Wallstedt to a two-year contract worth $4.4 million.
According to details of the contract, Wallstedt will get paid $2.2 million on an average annual value (AAV). The contract is set to begin in the 2025-26 campaign.
The 2021, No. 21 overall pick spent the 2023-24 season with Minnesota’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate the Iowa Wild where he put together a 22-19-4 record to go along with a 2.70 goals against average and .910 save percentage. Wallstedt appeared in three games at the NHL level, going 2-1-0 with a 3.01 goals against average, .897 save percentage and one shutout. He made his NHL debut against the Dallas Stars on Jan. 10 where he suffered a 7-2 loss.
Wallstedt ranked third among AHL goaltenders leaguewide in games played and tied for 10th in wins during the 2023-24 campaign. Wallstedt had been named AHL Player of the Week two times this season.
Throughout his three-year pro career in the AHL, the Vasteras, Sweden product has compiled a 40-34-12 record with a 2.69 goals against average, a .909 save percentage and three shutouts in 81 career AHL games with Iowa. Wallstedt earned AHL goaltender of the Month honors in January of 2023 and represented the Wild at the 2023 AHL All-Star Classic.
Internationally, Wallstedt has represented Sweden in multiple international tournaments, including the 2022 and 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships where he won a bronze medal in 2022.
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