The Minnesota Wild have signed their 137th overall pick from the 2026 NHL Draft, goaltender Filip Ruzicka, to a three-year entry-level contract worth $987.5K annually. The 18-year-old, who played for the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings last season, showcases impressive size at 6-foot-8 and 229 pounds but is considered a long-term project due to concerns over speed and control. Ruzicka will return to Brandon for another season despite earlier reports suggesting he might play in Czechia. Minnesota is prepared to be patient with his development as he refines his skills.
