Seventh-round pick Graovac out to make impact with Wild
Center Tyler Graovac will have a chance to show the Minnesota Wild what he can do.
The seventh-round pick of the 2011 draft will play on the Wild's third line when they open the season against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday. Graovac secured the roster spot after the club placed fellow forward Justin Fontaine (oblique) on injured reserve Tuesday.
"He's finding a way," coach Mike Yeo told Chad Graff of the Pioneer Press. "He's still learning to adjust at this level, but there's no doubt that he'll get that. He's done a good job."
Listed at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds, Graovac uses his size to help create an advantage in the offensive zone. The 22-year-old Ontario native collected 21 goals and 25 assists in 73 games last season with Iowa of the American Hockey League.
Graovac failed to record a point in three regular-season contests with Minnesota in 2014-15, but did record a goal and an assist in a 6-1 preseason victory versus Buffalo on Thursday.
