The Minnesota Wild have recalled forward Boris Katchouk and defensemen Ben Gleason and Matt Kiersted from their AHL affiliate in Iowa. This roster move comes as the Wild await the return of their Olympians to the NHL lineup, and all three players are expected to return to Iowa once those key players rejoin the team.
Background on Boris Katchouk’s Season and Trade
Boris Katchouk, who started the current season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, marked his second period with the team that originally drafted him 44th overall in 2016 by signing a two-way contract during free agency. His three NHL appearances so far, his first in two years, all came with Tampa Bay in November. During that stint, he did not record any points, averaged just over 12 minutes of ice time per game, and won 36.8% of his faceoffs.
Following a return to the minors, Katchouk stayed with the Lightning organization for about a month before being traded to the Wild shortly after Christmas in exchange for Michael Milne. Minnesota hoped his experience and offensive skills would improve the Iowa team’s struggling scoring output, but an injury sidelined him for nearly a month in January, and he has contributed just one goal and one assist in five games for Iowa since then.
Development of Defensemen Ben Gleason and Matt Kiersted
Both Gleason and Kiersted joined the Wild organization recently as free agents last summer, marking their first seasons with the team. At 28 years old, Gleason has not appeared in the NHL since his brief four-game stint with Dallas in 2018-19 but remains a valuable two-way presence in the minors. He is also the cousin of former Hurricanes defenseman Tim Gleason. Currently with Iowa, Gleason has scored one goal and 17 points in 44 games, ranking sixth in team scoring and second among defensemen despite a minus-16 rating.
Kiersted, a Minnesota native, is the only player among the trio to have NHL experience this season with the Wild. He has played in four NHL games as an injury replacement, recording one assist, five blocked shots, and a minus-1 rating while averaging nearly 14 minutes on ice. His overall offensive impact in Iowa has been modest, with six points and a minus-7 rating across 31 games.
Implications for the Wild and Future Outlook
Bringing Katchouk, Gleason, and Kiersted back to the NHL roster provides the Wild with added depth while awaiting their Olympians’ return. Their mix of experience and potential will likely help stabilize the team temporarily, although their time in the NHL may be limited until regular starters are available again. Minnesota’s handling of these players highlights their commitment to developing talent within their organization while managing roster challenges midseason. Monitoring their performance could indicate potential longer-term roles once the current wave of injuries and absences pass.
