The Wild is again delving into the college free-agent market.

The team signed University of New Hampshire forward Grayson Downing to a two-year, entry-level contract starting in the fall. Downing also signed an amateur tryout and will play in Iowa for the rest of the season.

Downing, 22, scored 36 points in 38 games his senior season and tied for 13th in the nation with 21 goals (coincidentally tied with Mario Lucia, whom I wrote about in Tuesday's paper. Downing also had five power-play goals and four game-winning goals.

He led the Wildcats in goals and ranked second in scoring. His goal total tied for third in Hockey East. A native of Abbotsford, British Columbia, the 6-foot Downing had 56 goals and 56 assists in 144 games at New Hampshire.

It's likely too soon for him to compete for a roster spot next season, but after trading so many draft picks the past few years and with so many of its top prospects playing in college, the Wild's trying to add some depth and skill to Iowa next season.

The Wild also plans to pursue a few other college, junior and European free agents. The Wild has been successful on some of these signings: Jared Spurgeon (junior), Christian Folin, Justin Fontaine and Nate Prosser to name four. Obviously, many don't pan out. The reason why a lot of them are free agents and were never drafted is because they're late-bloomers.