Swedish prospect Joel Eriksson Ek is back.
The Minnesota Wild announced Tuesday that they have recalled Eriksson Ek from his native Sweden, where he was on loan to Farjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League.
The Wild confirmed on Twitter that Eriksson Ek will join the NHL club instead of heading to the AHL.
A first-round pick in 2015, Eriksson Ek played in nine games with Minnesota in the fall but was sent back to Sweden on Nov. 17 to continue his development.
The 6-foot-2 forward made a splash in his first stint in the NHL, scoring a goal in his debut against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 22.
He recorded three assists in a 5-0 win over the Boston Bruins on Oct. 25, and struck again two days later in a 4-0 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
Eriksson Ek scored six goals and recorded three assists in seven games for Sweden in the World Junior Championships, while leading the Swedes to the semifinals.
The Karlstad, Sweden, native scored 16 points in 26 regular-season games for Farjestad this season, and added six more points in seven playoff games.
