ST. PAUL, MN – With their two first-round choices in the first round of the 2021 NHL Draft on Friday, the Minnesota Wild selected goalie Jesper Wallstedt and defenseman Carson Lambos.
The Wild made a trade with Edmonton, moving up two spots to number 20 to choose Wallstedt, the top-ranked European goalie in the draft and the first Swedish goalie ever taken in the first round. Wallstedt played last season in the top pro league in Sweden at age 18, compiling a 2.23 goals-against average, a. 908 save percentage and two shutouts.
With the number 26 pick, Minnesota selected Lambos, who played briefly last season for the Winnipeg Ice of the Western Hockey League until a leg injury ended his season. Lambos played in Finland during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Wild used their first-round picks to honor late assistant general manager Tom Kurvers, who died last month of lung cancer. GM Bill Guerin called Kurvers someone who had a positive impact on everyone he interacted with.
The team had Kurvers’ four children help make the two picks.
The Associated Press contributed to this story
Comments