The Minnesota Wild recalled forward Ben Jones and defenseman Matt Kiersted from their AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild, as announced by Bill Guerin, the team’s President of Hockey Operations and General Manager. This move, made on February 25, 2026, aims to bolster the Wild roster ahead of their upcoming game against the Colorado Avalanche.
Ben Jones’ Experience and Recent Performance
At 26 years old, Ben Jones has appeared in 20 games for Minnesota this season, contributing two points with one goal and one assist, while ranking seventh on the team in hits with 53. Jones scored his first NHL goal earlier this season on January 10 versus the New York Islanders. He has also been active in the AHL, tallying 16 points, including two power-play goals, in 18 games with Iowa. Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 190 pounds, the Waterloo, Ontario native has played 54 NHL games across three seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights and the Minnesota Wild. Drafted 189th overall in the seventh round of the 2017 NHL Draft by Vegas, Jones dons jersey number 39 with the Wild. His AHL career includes 213 points and 294 penalty minutes over 350 games with multiple teams, and in Calder Cup Playoffs, he has four points in 22 career appearances.
Matt Kiersted’s Contributions and Background
Defenseman Matt Kiersted, 27, has recorded one assist and four shots on goal in four NHL games this season for Minnesota. In the AHL, he has accumulated seven points, 70 shots on goal, and 28 penalty minutes in 33 games with Iowa. Kiersted, who is 6 feet tall and weighs 181 pounds, hails from Elk River, Minnesota. Last season, he led the Charlotte Checkers in plus-minus rating with a plus-34 mark and was second in assists with 28. He helped the Checkers reach the Calder Cup Finals by contributing eight assists in 13 playoff games. Kiersted’s NHL career spans 43 games with Florida and Minnesota, yielding eight points. In the AHL, he has played 266 games, earning 92 points and maintaining a plus-52 rating. Originally signed as a free agent by the Florida Panthers in 2021, Kiersted now wears number 26 for the Wild.
Upcoming Game and Team Outlook
The recalled players will join the Wild as they prepare to face the Colorado Avalanche on February 26 at 8:00 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network and KFAN FM 100.3. Adding Jones and Kiersted back to the NHL lineup reflects the Wild’s cautious approach to strengthening their squad amid a challenging season, as they seek to improve their standing and remain competitive in the league.
