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Ryan Stanzel
Director of Communications
Wednesday, July 5, 2006
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)
Press release courtesy of the Minnesota Wild

MINNESOTA WILD SIGNS ROOKIE FREE AGENTS D PAUL ALBERS, LW RYAN HAMILTON AND D MIKE MADILL

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed rookie free agents D Paul Albers, LW Ryan Hamilton and D Mike Madill to Entry Level contracts.

Albers, 20 (10/15/85), recorded 62 points (17-45=62) and 33 penalty minutes (PIM) in 70 games with the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL) last season. He led WHL defensemen in goals, power play goals (13) and points and led the WHL in plus-minus with a +38. Albers was named to the Western Conference First All-Star Team and was the Western Conference nominee for the WHL's Top Defenseman. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound defenseman added 19 points (3-16=19) in 18 playoff games as Vancouver won their first WHL championship. He was also named to the Memorial Cup First All-Star Team as the Giants finished third in the CHL Championships. The Melville, Saskatchewan-native notched 143 points (31-112=143) in 329 career WHL games during five seasons with Calgary, Regina and Vancouver.

Hamilton, 21 (4/15/85), tallied 72 points (46-26=72) and 58 PIM in 63 games with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) last season. He led the team in goals, including a team-high 24 power play goals and eight game-winning tallies and finished third in scoring. Hamilton ranked tied for sixth in the OHL in goals and game-winning markers and tied for seventh in power play tallies. The 6-foot-2, 219-pound left wing added 17 points (8-9=17) in 14 playoff games with Barrie. He also appeared in one playoff game with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL) after signing an Amateur Tryout Contract with the Aeros on May 2. The Oshawa, Ontario-native collected 128 points (79-49=128) in 170 career OHL games during four seasons with Barrie.

Madill, 24 (5/9/82), potted 27 points (5-22=27) and 54 PIM in 40 games during his senior season with the St. Lawrence Saints of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) last season. The team captain ranked fourth on the team in scoring and second in assists. The 6-foot, 194-pound defenseman recorded 63 points (14-49=63) and 157 PIM in 154 contests during his four seasons at St. Lawrence. Madill is a native of Kirkland, Quebec.

---HOUSTON AEROS---