The Iowa Wild have recalled forward prospect Raphael Bussieres from the Alaska Aces of the ECHL.
Bussieres, a 2012 second round draft pick, is just 21-years old, with a good frame at 6-foot-2, 202 pounds. He was expected to make an impact in Iowa this year after getting his feet wet in his first pro season last year. He started the season in Iowa logging just six games before getting reassigned to Alaska. In those six games he went pointless with four shots. He played 61 games with Iowa last season, totaling five goals and 14 assists.
More from Prospects
- Minnesota Wild prospects all over World Junior Championship rosters
- Three Prospects Who Should Play In Minnesota Next Season
- Timing seems right for Wild to bring in Jesper Wallstedt Next Season
- Minnesota Wild: With Joel Eriksson Ek out, is Marco Rossi’s debut coming?
- Where Will Marco Rossi Line Up This Season?
With the Alaska Aces, he appears to have found his game again, potting three goals and 13 assists through 19 games. That puts him at seventh overall on the team in points, having played in just half of their games.
Bussieres played his junior hockey in the QMJHL and raked in 29 goals and 39 assists through 60 games in his final junior season.
Bussieres didn’t feature prominently in my look over projected NHL production for Minnesota Wild forward prospects (using NHLe), since he’s only played six AHL games this season, but he’s in there and you can look over that complete breakdown here. There’s a lot on other Wild prospects like Zack Phillips, Alex Tuch, Mario Lucia, Tyler Graovac, and Pavel Jenys.
Next: Minnesota Wild Forward Prospects Ready For The NHL?
Bussieres will join Iowa immediately. They’re back in action on Thursday when they play the Grand Rapids Griffins in Des Moines. They’ll also play Friday and Saturday, for the third — and final — of three straight three-in-three runs. We’ll have recaps.