The Minnesota Wild have announced that they’ve come to terms with free-agent NCAA forward Justin Kloos. The native of Lakeville, Minnesota completed his college career earlier this week as the team he captained, the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, were eliminated by Notre Dame in the opening round of the NCAA’s annual hockey tournament.
Kloos turned down several NHL offers last offseason and decided to finish his college career before turning pro. With his senior season now over, he chose to stick close to home and sign with the Wild.
At only 5’9” and 179 lbs, Kloos is hoping to use his speed and skating ability to succeed in the NHL much like other undersized players have before him. Luckily for him, he’s a determined checker who relies on his tireless work ethic to help level the competition against bigger, stronger opponents.
After leading the Golden Gophers in scoring last season, Kloos capped off his college career with 18 goals and 43 points in 38 games this season with the team. His two-year entry level contract begins in the 2017-18 season, but in the meantime he’ll report to the team’s AHL team in Iowa on an amateur tryout contract. It's expected that Kloos will compete for a roster spot on the big club next season.
