The Minnesota Wild Have Re-Signed Defenseman Jacob Middleton

     Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin has announced the retention of defenseman Jacob Middleton. The two sides agreed to a three-year contract extension worth $7.35 million ($2.45 million average annual value) through the 2024-25 season.

     Last season Middleton split time between the San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild. He played in 66 games, collecting 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists), 124 blocked shots, 118 hits, and 82 penalty minutes. He ranked third among NHL rookies in blocked shots.

     Middleton made his Stanley Cup debut in Game one of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the St. Louis Blues on May 2, 2022. He tallied one assist in the series. Middleton led the Wild with a plus-6 rating and was second in blocked shots with 11.

     He was selected in the seventh round (210th overall) of the 2014 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings. Middleton was acquired by the Wild on March 21, 2022 from the San Jose Sharks in exchange for goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen and a 2022 fifth-round draft pick.