Devin Setoguchi To Play In California

The Minnesota Wild have another player finding alternative methods to keep their game sharp while we sit impatiently, waiting for this lockout to end.  Wild forward, Devin Setoguchi has signed on to play with the Ontario Reign of the East Coast Hockey League, courtesy of TSN.ca.

The Reign are based out of California meaning Setoguchi will have a chance to work on his tan when he’s not skating.

Originally drafted eighth overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, Setoguchi was dealt to the Wild prior to the start of last season in a deal that saw Brent Burns head the other way.  The Wild also acquired prospect Charlie Coyle and a first round draft pick in the deal.

One comment on the TSN.ca states that Setoguchi, along with other NHL players who have agreed to play in the ECHL, will be making $500 a week, a far cry from their NHL contracts.  The other side of this coin is that players like Setoguchi are taking jobs away from other players who rely on that paycheck to support their families.  Whether it’s right or not for NHL players to head to these lower tiered leagues is a debate for another day and we may not have seen the end of it with the lockout appearing to be a stalemate.

Last season, Setoguchi’s first in Minnesota, he registered 19 goals and 17 assists for 36 points in 69 games played.

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