Wild Signs Graovac

Press Release

SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed center Tyler Graovac (pronounced GREY-oh-vac) to an entry-level contract.

“We’re very excited to get Tyler under contract,” said Assistant General Manager Brent Flahr. “Since we drafted him, Tyler has worked very hard on and off the ice and has made huge strides in his overall game. He’s had a tremendous season this year and is in the middle of strong playoff run in Belleville. We look forward to watching his transition to the pro game in the near future.”

Graovac, 19 (4/27/93), collected 73 points (38-35=73) and 18 penalty minutes (PIM) in 60 contests this season with the Ottawa 67’s and the Belleville Bulls in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). The 6-foot-4, 203-pound native of Brampton, Ont., started the season with Ottawa and recorded 35 points (21-14=35) in 30 games before being traded to Belleville on Jan. 5. In 30 games with the Bulls he tallied 38 points (17-21=38) in 30 games. Graovac ranked tied for fourth in the OHL with eight game-winning goals, ninth in goals and tied for 18th in scoring. He leads Belleville in playoff scoring with 10 points (2-8=10) in six matches as the Bulls defeated Mississauga 4-2 in the first round. Graovac recorded 27 points (8-19=27) in 50 games with Ottawa in 2011-12.

He was originally selected by Minnesota in the seventh round (No. 191 overall) of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

 (Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)