The Minnesota Wild has signed Denver sophomore forward Jason Zucker to a three-year entry-level contract.
Denver has now lost two underclassmen this week as junior forward Drew Shore signed with the Florida Panthers earlier Tuesday.
Zucker, taken by Minnesota in the second round (59th overall) of the 2010 NHL draft, is expected to join the Wild on Thursday as the team hosts the Florida Panthers.
“After two successful seasons at the University of Denver, Jason, his representation, and Wild management have agreed that it was the right time for Jason to turn pro,” Wild assistant GM Brent Flahr said in a statement. “He has achieved great personal success in a short period of time at both the collegiate and national team levels.
“We are very excited to have Jason under contract and look forward to seeing his development within the Wild organization.”
“I’m very excited to turn pro and sign with Minnesota,” Zucker added. “I loved every second of my two years at Denver and I’m anxious to begin the next chapter of my hockey career.”
Zucker scored 22 goals and added 24 assists for 46 points this season with the Pioneers and also captained the United States at the 2012 World Junior Championship.
As a freshman, Zucker registered 45 points and was named the WCHA freshman of the year.
