Fri., Feb. 3, 2012

The Wild acquired center Erik Christensen and a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Casey Wellman. The Wild also reassigned forward Chad Rau to Houston.

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MINNESOTA WILD TRADES WELLMAN FOR CHRISTENSEN

HOUSTON --- Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired center Erik Christensen and a conditional seventh-round pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft from the New York Rangers in exchange for forward Casey Wellman. The Wild also reassigned forward Chad Rau to the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL).

Christensen, 28 (12/17/83), has five points (1-4=5) in 20 games for the Rangers this season, and three points (2-1=3) in five games on a conditioning stint with the AHL’s Connecticut Whale. He posted 27 points (11-16=27) in 63 games for the Rangers last season. Christensen totaled a career-high 33 points (18-15=33) in 61 games for Pittsburgh in 2006-07. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound native of Edmonton, Alberta, has collected 156 points (62-94=156) and 156 penalty minutes (PIM) in 358 career NHL games during seven seasons with Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Anaheim and the Rangers. He was originally selected by Pittsburgh in the third round (No. 69 overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.

Wellman, 24 (10/18/87), has seven points (2-5=7) in 14 games with the Wild this season, and 24 points (13-11=24) in 25 games for Houston. He was originally signed by Minnesota as a free agent on March 16, 2010.

Rau, 25 (1/18/87), made his NHL debut Jan. 21 and scored the game-winning goal against Dallas. He has averaged 8:15 TOI/game in his four games for the Wild. Rau has tallied 19 points (7-12=19) and a plus-4 rating in 38 games with Houston this season. The 5-foot-11, 184-pound forward is a native of Eden Prairie, Minn.

The Aeros host Lake Erie at 7:35 p.m. on Saturday and Milwaukee on Sunday at 12:05 p.m., both at Toyota Center.