Defenseman Carson Soucy impressed during his abbreviated stint with the Wild after getting ushered to the NHL to make his debut after Ryan Suter suffered a season-ending right ankle fracture.
And now another young player will get an opportunity on the Wild's back end, as the Wild reassigned Soucy to the American Hockey League Friday – paving the way for Louie Belpedio to make his NHL debut Saturday in the team's regular-season finale in San Jose against the Sharks.
Because the Wild recalled Soucy Sunday from Iowa on an emergency basis on the heels of Suter's injury, an absence that left the team with only five available defenseman, someone had to be sent back to the AHL once Belpedio played.
The Wild chose to return Soucy, who played a solid first game Monday against the Oilers and had another strong outing Wednesday against the Ducks. Overall, he skated in three games and averaged 14 minutes, 50 seconds in ice time.
Belpedio, who signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Wild Thursday, is poised to become the sixth player to make his NHL debut this season with the Wild.
