While the Minnesota Wild lay dormant, in their quarantine slumber—now represented by eight players on the NHL’s COVID protocol list—with games postponed through Feb. 9, the team’s AHL affiliate in Iowa opened their season against the Texas Stars last night.
Stocked with young talent because of the Canadian junior leagues unable to play, the AHL Wild were able to fill their roster with some of the franchise’s key prospects. Reigning Western Hockey League leading scorer Adam Beckman was able to take a depth spot within the forward lines, and defenseman Ryan O’Rourke at the age of 18 years old was able to make his professional hockey debut on the bottom pairing.