Congrats Brendan, we'll be cheering for you and Cory next year here in
Orono.
M-A-I-N-E GOOO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!! W-I-L-D GOOOOOOO Whatever color you
are!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Expansion Wild sign first two veterans
May 17, 2000
ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA (TICKER) -- Left wing Kai Nurminen, who led the
Finnish League in scoring during the regular season and playoffs, today
became the first veteran to sign with the expansion Minnesota Wild.
The Wild, one of two expansion teams that will join the NHL next
season, also signed forward Brendan Walsh, who served as team captain
as a senior at the University of Maine.
Nurminen, 31, is taking his second crack at the NHL after totaling 16
goals and 11 assists in 61 games for the Los Angeles Kings in 1996-97.
This past season, he had 41 goals and 27 assists in 54 games for TPS
Turku. The 6-1, 198-pounder added five goals and nine assists in 10
playoff games as his hometown team captured the Finnish League
championship.
"Nurminen was the MVP of the Finnish League this season. He has NHL
experience and possesses the type of speed and skill that we hope to
build our team around," said Wild general manager Doug Risebrough.
Walsh, 25, had nine goals and 21 assists in 39 games for Maine, tying a
school record with 106 penalty minutes. The 5-9, 181-pound forward
transferred to the Black Bears after two years with Hockey East rival
Boston University.
Former Maine teammate Cory Larose signed with the Wild earlier this
month.
"Walsh is a tough competitor who was named captain of a top collegiate
team and comes ready to play for every game," Risebrough said.