MINNESOTA AGREES TO TERMS WITH GOALIE BRODY HOFFMAN AND DEFENSEMAN ZACH PALMQUIST ON ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACTS
Mar 30, 2015MINNESOTA AGREES TO TERMS WITH GOALIE BRODY HOFFMAN AND DEFENSEMAN ZACH PALMQUIST ON ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACTS
Pair of Collegiate Stars Inked by Wild
DES MOINES, IA – Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher on Monday announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has agreed to terms with goaltender Brody Hoffman and defenseman Zach Palmquist to entry-level contracts for the 2015-16 season.
Hoffman, 24 (2/18/91), went 13-6-2 with a 2.06 goals-against average (GAA), a .922 save percentage (SV%) and one shutout in 22 games during his junior season with the University of Vermont in 2014-15. He ranked second in Hockey East and 18th in the NCAA in GAA. The 6-foot-4, 205-pound native of Wilkie, Saskatchewan, posted a record of 34-33-9 with a 2.45 GAA, a .914 SV% and three shutouts in 78 games during three seasons with the Catamounts.
He went 10-8-1 with a 2.11 GAA and a .925 SV% in 20 games during his sophomore season and ranked third in Hockey East and 11th nationally in GAA and fifth in the league and 18th in the NCAA in SV%. He went 11-19-6 with a 2.86 GAA, a .904 SV% and two shutouts in 36 games for Vermont during his freshman season in 2012-13. Hoffman became the first Catamounts goalie to start every regular season game since Tim Thomas (1996-97). He was the only rookie in the nation to start every regular season contest and was named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team.
Palmquist, 24 (12/9/90), served as an alternate captain and ranked tied for fourth on the team in scoring with 29 points (8-21=29) including four power-play goals and 22 penalty minutes (PIM) in 40 games during his senior season for the Minnesota State Mavericks in 2014-15. The 6-foot, 175-pound native of South St. Paul, Minn., did not miss a game during his four seasons at Minnesota State playing in a school record 160 consecutive contests and recorded 96 points (25-71=96) and 109 PIM. His point total ranks T-1st amongst school defenseman in the Division I-era (1996-97 to present). Palmquist was named to the All-WCHA First Team in 2013-14 and 2014-15 and a WCHA All-Academic selection in 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15.
Prior to playing at Minnesota State, he collected 57 points (13-44=57) in 124 games during parts of three seasons with Waterloo (USHL, 2008-11). Palmquist played at South St. Paul High School and was a finalist for the 2009 Mr. Hockey Award. He will report to the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL) on an Amateur Tryout Agreement (ATO) for the remainder of this season.
Iowa returns home to host Rochester at 7 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 3 to begin a four-game home stand. Friday’s game is Iowa Speedway Race Car Night, where multiple pace cars will be on hand. The first 5,000 fans receive an Iowa Wild rally towel, presented by ALT 106.3, KISS 107.5FM, Iowa Speedway and Fast Signs. It’s also a $2 Beer Night, presented by 100.3 The Bus. Fans may purchase 10-ounce domestic beers for only $2 through the first period of play. Iowa continues its four-game home stand against the Texas Stars at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April. 7. It’s a Taco Tuesday – presented by Taco Johns, where each fan that comes to the game receives a coupon for a free crispy beef taco from Taco Johns. It’s also two-for-one Tuesday, where fans may purchase one attack end ticket and receive a second ticket free, sponsored by Hits 99.9 FM. Also, those who bring in a Subway receipt may purchase a $5 game ticket at the box office.
Iowa hosts the Rockford IceHogs at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 9. It’s a Throwback Thursday, where fans may purchase popcorn for one dollar, presented by 95 KGGO. Also, those who bring in a Subway receipt may purchase a $5 ticket at the box office. Iowa finishes its home stand against Oklahoma City at 7 p.m. on Friday, Apr. 10. It’s Fan Appreciation night featuring a team poster giveaway to the first 5,000 fans, sponsored by Mercy Medical Center, Prairie Life Fitness, Edwards Printing and MB2 Raceway. The team is also holding a Chuck-a-Duck at Friday’s game, where fans may purchase rubber ducks to throw on the ice during intermission. All proceeds from the event go to benefit the Youth Emergency Shelter and Services. sIt’s also STEM Night, where a $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to the student who designs the best helmet to reduce concussions for hockey players, presented by Des Moines University. It’s also a $2 Beer Night, presented by 100.3 The Bus. Fans may purchase 10-ounce domestic beers for only $2 through the first period of play.
The Iowa Wild 2014-15 season is presented by Mercy Medical Center, it runs from October through April. Fans may purchase seats to see any of the team’s 38 regular season home games at Wells Fargo Arena. Season tickets to see the Wild play at Wells Fargo Arena start at just $9 per game. For more information on tickets, including ticket plans and group seating, please contact the Wild ticket office by calling 515-564-8700 or go to www.iowawild.com.
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