MINNESOTA WILD SIGN FREE AGENT DEFENSEMAN RYAN STOKES

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Minnesota Wild General Manager Doug Risebrough announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed free agent defenseman Ryan Stokes to a contract.

Stokes, 20 (6/23/83), recorded 24 points (4-20=24) in 66 games with the Mississauga IceDogs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) during the 2003-04 season. He ranked second on the team in penalty minutes with 179 and fourth on the club with a +14 rating. Stokes added 11 points (2-9=11) and 74 penalty minutes in 24 playoff contests as the IceDogs won the Eastern Conference Championship and advanced to the OHL Championship Series for the first time in franchise history.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound native of Corruna, Ontario tallied 38 points (6-32=38) and 349 penalty minutes in 178 games during three OHL seasons with the Barrie Colts and Mississauga.