From: Ryan Stanzel
Director of Communications
Monday, July 2, 2007
713.361.7930 (Direct Line)

MINNESOTA WILD SIGNS FREE AGENT CENTER STEVE KELLY

Forward was AHL All-Star in 2004

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed center Steve Kelly to a 2007-08 contract.

Kelly, 30 (10/26/76), has spent the past three seasons playing in Germany and collected 38 points (9-29=38) and 209 penalty minutes (PIM) in 47 games with the Frankfurt Lions in 2006-07. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound forward has appeared in 147 career NHL contests with Edmonton, Tampa Bay, New Jersey and Los Angeles recording 21 points (9-12=21) and 83 PIM. Kelly has also appeared in 25 career NHL playoff contests and was a member of the 1999-2000 Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils. The Vancouver, British Columbia-native was originally selected by Edmonton in the first round (6th overall) of the 1995 NHL Entry Draft.

Kelly has played with three AHL teams – Hamilton, Albany and Manchester, totaling 269 points (82-187=269) and 609 penalty minutes in 297 games. He represented the Canadian All-Star Team in the 2004 AHL All-Star Classic.

As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

---HOUSTON AEROS---