Hockey North Star

Glen Andresen
May 15, 2007

Morten Madsen could one day become the first Denmark-native to play in the Wild.
The Minnesota Wild locked up another pick from its draft class of 2005 on Tuesday with the signing of Morten Madsen. A fourth round pick in 2005, Madsen is coming off his first year of North American hockey, having played for Victoriaville of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The native of Rodovre, Denmark posted 100 points for the Tigres on 32 goals and 68 assists, putting him in a tie for the team lead in scoring. He led the club in assists and added eight shorthanded goals, six power play markers and five game-winning tallies.

Most recently, Madsen skated for Denmark in the 2007 World Championships in Moscow. In five games, he recorded one goal for 10th place Denmark.

The Wild has now locked up four of its seven picks from the 2005 draft. Benoit Pouliot, Matt Kassian, Madsen and Riley Emmerson are all under contract. The club has until June 1 to sign goaltender Kristofer Westblom (third round, 65th overall) and center Kyle Bailey (fourth round, 110th overall) before losing rights to both players. Minnesota also would lose the rights to 2004 first round pick A.J. Thelen if he is not signed by then. Anthony Aiello, a fifth round pick in 2005, does not need to be signed as he is still playing collegiately for Boston College.

SourceWILD.COM