Minnesota Wild Sign D Clayton Stoner and LW Stephane Veilleux

[Thrillhouse]

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough announced today the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed defenseman Clayton Stoner to a rookie contract and left wing Stephane Veilleux (pronounced steph-AWN Vay-OOH) to a multi-year contract.

Stoner, 20 (2/19/85), recorded 46 points (12-34=46) and 81 penalty minutes (PIM) in 60 games with the Tri-City Americans of the Western Hockey League (WHL) last season. The 6-foot-3, 215-pound defenseman established career-highs in every offensive category and was named to the WHL All-Star Second Team. He finished second on the team and ninth among WHL defensemen in scoring. The Port McNeill, British Columbia-native also recorded five power play goals. Stoner was originally selected by the Wild in the third round (79th overall) of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

Veilleux, 23 (11/16/81), collected 15 goals and 24 assists in 59 games with Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL) during the 2004-05 season. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound forward ranked tied for first on the team with seven power play goals, third in goals and fifth in scoring. Veilleux suffered a season-ending injury against Grand Rapids on March 7 and missed the remainder of season. The Beauceville, Quebec-native has notched five goals and 10 assists to go along with 43 PIM in 57 career NHL contests with Minnesota. He skated in 19 games with Minnesota in 2003-04 and posted 10 points (2-8=10), establishing career-highs in assists and points. Veilleux made his NHL debut on October 19, 2002, against Detroit and notched his first career NHL point (assist) at Chicago on October 24 and his first career NHL goal against Patrick Roy at Colorado on October 27. He was originally selected by Minnesota in the third round (93rd overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft.

[jkidd]

Stephane Veilleux is a real energetic young kid, dont know where he'll play though, seems like most lines are already set or have competitions that are a few players deep already.

Stoner seem like a good physical young dman. dont know where he'll be though. he'll probably take Z's spot after he was traded. hopefully he can be a physical presence because henry really isnt that good of a dman.

[OLLBLUEEYZ]

Stoner....lol

[Nodak]

Stoner is acually about 6"4" and around 230. Good d-man, but was never much of a fighter in my opinion. He can go, but defense is definately his strong point.