Thursday, Jun 29, 2023 - 06:54 PM

Minnesota Wild NHL draft Day 2 selection capsules

written by Dave Heller, Bally Sports North

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - JUNE 29: Riley Heidt celebrates after being selected 64th overall pick by the Minnesota Wild during the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on June 29, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Wild weren’t done after selecting Charlie Stramel with their first-round pick in the NHL draft Wednesday.

The draft concluded Thursday with Rounds 2-7. Minnesota owned five picks on Day 2 and kept all their selections with no trades made.

Here’s a capsule summary of the Wild’s second day of draft selections, which includes two more (along with Stramel) Minneapolis-area players:

Round 2 (No. 53 overall): Rasmus Kumpulainen, C, Finland: Left-handed shot ranked No. 22 European skater by NHL Central Scouting. … Played for Lahden Pelicans junior team last season. … In 41 games, had 11 goals and 23 assists with 26 penalty minutes. … Finished tied for third on Pelicans in assists and fifth in points. … Turns 18 in August. … Director of amateur scouting Judd Brackett: “Big, two-way, possession center with excellent puck protection skill.”

Round 2 (No. 64): Riley Heidt, C, Prince George (WHL): Left-handed shooter was ranked the No. 21 North American skater. … Tied for WHL lead in assists with No. 1 overall pick Connor Bedard. … Finished year with 25 goals and 97 points in 68 games. … Won gold with Canada at the 2022 Hinka Gretzky Cup, contributing six points (3 goals, 3 assists) in five games. … NHL Central Scouting report: “An intelligent and skilled natural center who is good at winning faceoffs and displayed his versatility by also playing left wing. He has a high hockey IQ and is a strong playmaker with excellent hand/eye coordination. Can generate and finish scoring plays every time he has the puck. A very smart player who can contribute offensively.” … Brackett: "Slick, playmaking center with elite vision and hands."

"It's an honor. My emotions are all over right now and I can't really think."

Riley Heidt, who posted 25 goals and 72 assists this season with Prince George of the WHL, on being drafted by the #MNwild. #NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/ZokEHs839h
— Bally Sports North (@BallySportsNOR) June 29, 2023

Round 5 (No. 149): Aaron Pionk, D, Waterloo (USHL): Hermantown native recently committed to Minnesota Duluth after previously having decided on Minnesota State. … In 60 games this past season with the Black Hawks had 12 goals and 24 assists with 51 penalty minutes and a +21 plus/minus. … Played for NAHL’s Minnesota Wilderness in 2020-21 and ’21-22. … Left-handed shooter ranked No. 177 by NHL Central Scouting. … Turned 20 this past January. … Brother of Winnipeg defenseman Neal Pionk. … Knows how to drive a Zamboni. … Brackett: “Recently converted to defense. Smart, puck mover with an accurate shot.”

Round 6 (No. 181): Kalem Parker, D, Victoria (WHL): Right-handed shooter ranked No. 93 by NHL Central Scouting. … Had played with Victoria Royals last three years. … In 2022-23 recorded six goals and 32 assists with 64 penalty minutes in 68 games. … Had six goals and 14 assists on the power play. ... Played for Canada in 2022 at U18 World Championship. … Turns 19 in October. … Brackett: “Two-way, all-situations defender with good mobility.”

Round 7 (No. 213): James Clark, LW, Green Bay (USHL): Native of Edina who is committed to the University of Minnesota. … Left-handed shot ranked NO. 171 by NHL Central Scouting. … Recorded 19 goals, 47 assists and 27 PIM for the Gamblers in 62 games in 2022-23. … Had five multi-goal games. … Green Bay head coach Mike Leone: “Jimmy had a huge season for us and to put up over 45 points in his first full year in the league, that’s hard to do.” … Brackett: “A high-energy, two-way center with a heavy shot.”