Wild Sign Top Prospect Stramel to 3-Year Deal

Minnesota Wild lock up 2023 first-round pick with entry-level contract.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:25pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a hockey player in motion, with sharp planes of blues, greens, and reds overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract composition.The Wild's signing of hometown prospect Charlie Stramel represents a strategic investment in the team's future through the lens of Cubist artistic deconstruction.Rosemount Today

The Minnesota Wild have signed forward Charlie Stramel, their 2023 first-round draft pick, to a three-year entry-level contract beginning in the 2026-27 NHL season. Stramel, a native of Rosemount, Minnesota, spent the last four seasons playing college hockey at Wisconsin and Michigan State, where he emerged as one of the top players in the NCAA.

Why it matters

Stramel is considered a top prospect in the Wild's system and his signing represents a key step in the team's long-term development plans. As a Minnesota native, his addition to the roster is also expected to generate excitement among the team's fanbase.

The details

The 21-year-old Stramel tallied 20 points on 8 goals and 12 assists over 67 games in two seasons at Wisconsin. Over the past two years at Michigan State, he has 71 points on 28 goals and 43 assists in 74 games, including a 44-point senior campaign that saw him named a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey's top player.

  • Stramel was originally drafted by the Wild in the 1st round (21st overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.
  • He will begin his 3-year entry-level contract with the Wild in the 2026-27 NHL season.

The players

Charlie Stramel

A 21-year-old forward from Rosemount, Minnesota who was the Wild's 1st round pick in 2023 and is now signed to a 3-year entry-level contract.

Bill Guerin

The President of Hockey Operations and General Manager for the Minnesota Wild, who announced Stramel's signing.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to have Charlie join our organization. He's a talented young player with a bright future, and we look forward to watching his development in the coming years.”

— Bill Guerin, Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager

What’s next

Stramel is expected to join the Wild's AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild, for the 2026-27 season to continue his professional development before potentially earning a call-up to the NHL club.

The takeaway

The signing of Charlie Stramel, a top draft pick from Minnesota, represents an important investment by the Wild in their long-term future and the continued growth of hockey talent from the state.