MINNESOTA WILD SIGN CARON AND Spurgeon

Press Release

The Minnesota Wild announced this morning they have signed Kamloops Blazers' Josh Caron and former Spokane Chiefs defenceman Jared Spurgeon to NHL entry-level contracts after both being a free agent invite by the Wild.

Caron, 19, totaled six points (1=5=6) and 190 penalty minutes in 60 games for Kamloops of the Western Hockey League last year. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder impressed in Traverse City by playing a physical game and sparking his team with two big fights.

Spurgeon, 20, has completed his junior career, finishing it last season with 51 points (8-43=51) for the Spokane Chiefs. In 2008, he along with Wild prospect Justin Falk, helped lead the Chiefs to the Memorial Cup. Spurgeon, who was originally taken by the New York Islanders in the sixth round of the 2008 NHL Draft, was a power play specialist for the Wild in Traverse City. He scored a goal and an assist, both coming with the man advantage.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)