Wisconsin loses captain Kunin after two seasons to NHL’s Wild

11 Mar 16:  Luke Kunin (Wisconsin - 9). The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers host the University of Wisconsin Badgers in a B1G Conference matchup at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis, MN (Jim Rosvold/University of Minnesota)
Sophomore captain Luke Kunin led Wisconsin with 38 points during the 2016-17 season (photo: Jim Rosvold/University of Minnesota).

The Minnesota Wild announced Thursday the signing of Wisconsin sophomore forward Luke Kunin to a three-year, entry-level contract starting with the 2017-18 season.

He will report to the Iowa Wild of the AHL on an amateur tryout agreement for the remainder of this season.

Kunin totaled 38 points (22 goals, 16 assists) and 30 penalty minutes in 35 games during his sophomore season with the Badgers, leading the team in goals, points, power-play goals (9) and shots (112), tied for first in short-handed goals (2) and tied for third in game-winning goals (2), all while serving as Wisconsin’s first sophomore captain in 41 years.

He also served as the captain of Team USA at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship, helping the U.S. capture a gold medal.

Originally selected by Minnesota in the first round (15th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft, Kunin totaled 70 points (41 goals, 29 assists) and 32 PIM in 69 career games during his two seasons at Wisconsin.