The Wild recalled 20-year-old Edmonton native Jared Spurgeon from AHL Houston tonight.

The smallish, speedy defenseman has nine points in 21 games with the Aeros this season, but eight in the last eight games, excluding a goal and deciding shootout tally in a 2-1 win over Milwaukee last night,

The former Islanders draft pick stands 5-9 and is 175 pounds. He was a star with the Spokane Chiefs, winning a Memorial Cup with them in 2008. He was Justin Falk's teammate on that team; not sure if they were defense partners, but I'll find out tomorrow at the skate. Spurgeon was signed as a free agent after signing a tryout in Traverse City at the prospects tournament. Spurgeon could be on his way up in case Marek Zidlicky can't play. As I wrote on the below blog, Zidlicky was wrapped up like a mummy after the game. If he plays, it'll be his NHL debut. His uniform number would be 46. If he wears it, he'll be the first No. 46 in Wild history.