Minnesota Wild Reassign Goaltender Johan Gustafsson

Sep 27, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Johan Gustafsson (31) makes a save during the third period against the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center. The Blues won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

According to the team’s official website, the Minnesota Wild have reassigned rookie goaltender Johan Gustafsson to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League. In addition, the team has also officially reassigned Tyler Cuma, but this comes as no surprise as he was placed on waivers yesterday, along with Jake Dowell, for the purpose of reassignment. As reported earlier, Dowell also cleared waivers.

Gustafsson is set for his first season of North American pro hockey this year after backstopping Lulea of the Swedish Elite League last season with a 20-13-0 record, 1.70 goals against average and .929 save percentage in 33 games. Originally drafted 159th overall in the sixth round of the Wild’s fabled 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Gustafsson wears No. 31 with Minnesota. He returns to Iowa after playing the third period in Minnesota’s 4-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues last night. Gustafsson stopped seven of 11 shots faced in taking the loss in relief of Josh Harding.

With this reassignment, Wild fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing starter Niklas Backstrom (soreness) and backup Harding (illness) are ready for the start of the season on Thursday night.

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