Facing an important game in Calgary and perhaps looking for more skill in the lineup, the Minnesota Wild recalled forward Michael Keranen from the American Hockey League on Wednesday.
The Wild had an open roster spot after sending Christian Folin to Iowa last week.
Keranen, 25, is in his first season in North America after Minnesota signed the skilled Scandinavian forward out of the Finnish Elite League last year. Keranen had nine goals and 23 assists in 52 games with the Iowa Wild of the AHL. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound forward led Iowa in assists and was second in points and shots.
Keranen signed with the Wild in June after posting 52 points (17 goals, 35 assists) in 52 games for Ilves Tampere last season. He was tied for first in Finland's Elite League in scoring and tied for second in assists. He added 47 penalty minutes and a plus-12 rating.
The effort led to Keranen receiving the Lasse Oksanen award given to the best player during the regular season. He had 101 points and 122 penalty minutes in 194 games in four seasons with Ilves.
A left-handed shooter, Keranen would make be making his NHL debut.
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