May 5, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Towels rest on the seats before game three of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup playoffs between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

According to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Wild have recalled Carson McMillan and 2012 7^th overall pick Mathew Dumba from the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League.

Now, this may not be as surprising and unsuspected as you may think. The Aeros wrapped up their season with a 7-0 loss on the road to the Grand Rapids Griffins on Saturday night. With their season concluded, the move to Des Moines and the Wells Fargo Center is not too far off. Minnesota made three call-ups yesterday, calling up rookie Mikael Granlund and veteran role players Stephane Veilleux and Jake Dowell. Veilleux had a key role in Minnesota’s very physical overtime victory over Chicago yesterday afternoon.

With the call-ups of Dumba and McMillan, the Wild has now recalled five players within the past 24 hours. That doesn’t guarantee they’ll see time in the lineup, but Minnesota does have some “Black Aces” to stick up their sleeves. All five players are in Minnesota and practiced in the team’s optional skate today.

Also practicing with them is deadline blockbuster acquisition Jason Pominville, who has skated just once since he took an elbow to the face by Los Angeles Kings captain Dustin Brown in a game on April 23^rd. It remains to be seen whether or not he will suit up in Minnesota Forest Green for the home team in their Game Four Round One matchup with the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night. Gone Puck Wild will keep you updated as the situation develops.

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I apologize for the lack of roster updates yesterday; I was out of town—cheering on the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center in their 3-2 overtime win over the Chicago Blackhawks! It’s a poor excuse, I know. I’ll strive to be better next time.

Mar 11, 2012; St. Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Stephane Veilleux (19) against the Calgary Flames at the Xcel Energy Center. The Flames defeated the Wild 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

According to the team website, the Minnesota Wild have recalled role-playing forwards Jake Dowell and Stephane Veilleux along with goaltender Josh Harding from the Houston Aeros. In turn, rookies Mikael Granlund, Jason Zucker and Darcy Kuemper have all been reassigned.

Dowell, signed as an unrestricted free agent this past summer by Minnesota, will likely make his Minnesota Wild debut tomorrow night against the Los Angeles Kings, wearing sweater No. 18. He recorded four goals and five assists for nine points and 34 penalty minutes in 37 games with Houston this season. Veilleux, Minnesota’s 3^rd round pick in 2001, will be making his season debut for Minnesota after recording three goals and five assists for eight points and 45 penalty minutes in 33 games with the Aeros this season. Veilleux will don his familiar No. 19 sweater.

Harding was sent down last week on a brief conditioning stint as he looks to come back from medication issues regarding the treatment of his MS. A Wild and Aeros fan favorite throughout his pro career, Harding posted a 1-1-0 record while stopping 56 of 61 shots for a 3.00 goals against average and .918 save percentage in two starts for Houston after being sent down on April 16^th. With Minnesota this season, Harding is 1-1-0 with a 2.92 goals against average, .885 save percentage and one shutout in four games.

The Aeros receive much needed support with the reassignment of Granlund, Zucker and Kuemper. Granlund (2-6=8 in 27 NHL games) scored 28 points in 29 games with the Aeros before being called up and Zucker (4-1=5 in 19 NHL games) is ranked second in scoring with 50 points in 55 games for Houston.

Kuemper returns to Houston as the undisputed No. 1 netminder for Minnesota’s farm team as Matt Hackett was traded to Buffalo in the deadline deal that saw the Wild acquire Jason Pominville. The 6’5” 207-pound goaltending giant is 13-8-0 with a 1.88 goals against average, .934 save percentage and four shutouts in 24 games with Houston this season. He posted a 1-2-0 record with an impressive 2.08 goals against average and .916 save percentage in six games (three starts) during his short stint with the big club.