The Minnesota Wild on Thursday signed free-agent forward Michael Keranen to a two-way contract for the 2014-15 season. Financial terms were not released.
Keranen, 24, had 17 goals, 35 assists and a plus-12 rating in 52 games this season with Ilves Tampere in Liiga, Finland's top professional league. His 52 points tied for the league lead, and the 6-foot-1, 176-pound native of Stockholm, Sweden, was first with six game-winning goals.
"We are excited to get Michael under contract for next season," Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher said. "He had a very good year in Finland and our scouting staff thinks he is ready for the challenge of coming to North America. We are happy to add him to our lists of prospects and look forward to seeing how he performs in training camp."
Keranen received the Golden Helmet Award (voted for by players) as the best player in Liiga; the Lasse Oksanen Award as the best player during the regular season; and was named to the 2013-14 all-star team.
He has 101 points (41 goals, 60 assists) and 122 penalty minutes in 194 games over the past four seasons with Ilves.