Wild Sign Andrew Brunette to Multi-Year Deal

[Thrillhouse]

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed left wing Andrew Brunette to a multi-year contract.

"Andrew is a consistent offensive performer and an excellent teammate who helped create the culture of our team," said Risebrough. "We are better, on the ice and in the dressing room, with him back. Not often do you get the chance to correct a mistake."

Brunette, 34 (8/24/73), played three seasons for the Wild, from 2001-04, accruing 164 points (54-110=164) in 245 games. Brunette ranks third on the team's all-time assist list, is fifth in points and seventh in goals. The 6-foot-1, 212-pound native of Sudbury, Ont., played with Colorado in 2007-08, totaling 59 points (19-40=59) in 82 games. Brunette is the NHL's active leader in consecutive games played with 453.

In 788 career NHL games covering 12 seasons with Washington, Nashville, Atlanta, Minnesota and Colorado, Brunette has posted 549 points (191-358=549) and 264 penalty minutes. Brunette served as the Wild's monthly captain four times during his three-year stay in Minnesota. He scored the game-winning goal in overtime against Colorado in Game 7 of the 2003 Western Conference Quarterfinal. Brunette has 34 career Stanley Cup Playoff points (16-18=34) in 43 games.

Brunette was Washington's seventh-round pick (No. 174 overall) in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.

[Isles4life]

Good move to bring Brunette back into the fold. I'd be curious to know how much they had to pay for him once that info comes out.

[Snipes19]

As I mentioned in the other thread about Brunette going back to Minny, this is a very good move by the Wild. They are losing some scoring with Rolston and Demitra leaving, and are losing a lot of veteran leadership with Rolston leaving too, but Bruno will be able to fill both voids. He's a great leader in the lockerroom and is an underrated offensive player that can chip in a lot of points also. The fans really liked him in Minny, so it was a no-brainer for them to bring him back on board... this helps them a lot.

[canuckfan]

No surprise here - Brunette's been quoted nearly everywhere saying he'd like to come back to Minnesota. The Wild probably never should have let him go in the forst place 4 years ago.

T.S. for me though - he's scored some big goals against the Canucks in years past - I would've liked to have seen him in either a Canucks sweater, or somwhere else, far far away.

[Yoke]

Also got Zidlicky in a trade from Nashville.

[caps05]

TSN hasn't reported it yet, but Sportsnet is listing it on today's transactions

[HordiBrusk29]

It's on TSN's website as well.

Minnesota Wild sign UFA forward Andrew Brunette (undisclosed).

[JKidd]

As I mentioned in another thread, the Wild kicked themselves forever in letting him walk.

I love him coming back. He does have family at BSM HS (he was a "special" coach there during the lockout) so that could be a big factor in him coming back as well.

In any event, great to see Bruno come back. My #15 sweater is coming out of the rafters!

[DB24MJ12]

This eases the pain a little with Rolls leaving. It will be a thrill seeing bruno play against the av's the first time back.

[kingcobrafan]

Bruno's always been an assist guy. Both him and Zidlicky don't begin to make up for Rolston's 30 goals a season. If those two are the main signings, the Wild are in trouble.

[JKidd]

WILD HAS OFFICIALLY SIGNED ANDREW BRUNETTE TO A THREE-YEAR, $7 MILLION DEAL AND HAS ACQUIRED DEFENSEMAN MAREK ZIDLICKY, A QUALITY OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMAN, FOR RYAN JONES AND A 2009 SECOND-ROUND PICK.

Per the Star Trib

Talk about an amazing buy to get Bruno for a shade over $2 million a year.

[Yoke]

Originally Posted by kingcobrafan

Bruno's always been an assist guy. Both him and Zidlicky don't begin to make up for Rolston's 30 goals a season. If those two are the main signings, the Wild are in trouble.

No, but I think he makes up for Demitra.