The Minnesota Wild are doubling down on internal development for the 2025–26 season, officially signing 22-year-old forward Michael Milne to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 at the NHL level and $100,000 in the AHL. The announcement on July 11, 2025, reflects the organization’s growing confidence in Milne’s readiness to contribute after his first NHL appearance last season. Born in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Milne fought through injuries to make his debut at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center on November 16, 2024. Now, with the ink dry on this new deal, the Wild are giving the gritty scorer every chance to carve out a bigger role.
Minnesota Wild re-sign forward Michael Milne hoping for breakout NHL scoring in 2025–26
Michael Milne’s hockey story is one of resilience and persistence across Canada and the U.S. Selected 155th overall in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft by the Kootenay Ice, he began with a quiet rookie campaign before exploding with the Winnipeg Ice. His best junior season came in 2021–22, where he racked up 38 goals and 81 points, showcasing the offensive touch that eventually got Minnesota’s attention.Drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the third round (89th overall) of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Milne signed his three-year entry-level deal in October that same year. He launched his professional career with the Iowa Wild in the American Hockey League in 2022, steadily proving his worth over three seasons. In 157 AHL games through 2025, Milne delivered 60 points (30 goals, 30 assists) and seven power-play goals, while also tallying nearly 300 shots on net.
Michael Milne’s journey from AHL standout to NHL debut with Minnesota Wild
The 2024–25 season didn’t begin smoothly for Milne. Injuries forced him to miss both Wild rookie camp and main training camp, delaying his chance to prove himself in front of Minnesota’s NHL staff. When he finally returned to Iowa’s lineup, he wasted no time making an impact: four goals and eight points in his first ten games earned him a call-up to the big club.He made his NHL debut on November 16, 2024, against the Dallas Stars in St. Paul, skating on the fourth line with Jakub Lauko and Marat Khusnutdinov. Reflecting on that milestone in Des Moines later that week, Milne said: “That start to the season was huge for me. I just wanted to prove I was ready to go.”Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin, speaking at Xcel Energy Center after the signing announcement, praised Milne’s effort and upside: “Michael’s a player who really earned that first NHL game. He’s tough, works hard, and has the kind of scoring touch we think can keep growing.”Now, with a fresh one-year contract in hand, Michael Milne is set to fight for a permanent spot on Minnesota’s 2025–26 roster. For a team trying to balance veteran leadership with homegrown talent, Milne’s development symbolizes the Wild’s strategy of building from within. If he can translate his AHL scoring grit into consistent NHL production, he might just become the breakout threat fans in Minnesota have been waiting for.Also Read: Toronto Marlies Sign Gunnarwolfe Fontaine, Ben King, Nick Rheaume in bold roster revamp
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