Minnesota Wild Sign Hungarian Goalie Prospect

The IIHF World Championships often give NHL teams an opportunity to scope out some of the international competition, and potentially make offers to players from other countries. This year was no different as the Minnesota Wild came to terms with Adam Vay, a 22-year-old goaltender from Hungary.

The Wild signed Vay to a two-year, entry level contract yesterday. Since the Wild appear to be all set in the goaltender department with Devan Dubnyk, we can assume this young prospect was signed to add depth to the Iowa Wild roster.

Vay also shows some quality experience, per a press release from the team:

Vay, 22 (3/22/94), posted a 3.67 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage (SV%) in three games for Hungary at the 2016 IIHF World Championship in Russia. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound native of Budapest, Hungary, made 35 saves in a 5-1 loss to the United States on May 13, made 48 saves in a 3-0 loss to Finland on May 11 and stopped 11-of-12 shots in relief on May 8 against Canada. He appeared in 39 games with Debreceni HK in the MOL League in 2015-16 and posted a 2.77 GAA, a .927 SV% and two shutouts. Vay led the league in SV% and ranked fifth in GAA amongst goalies that played a minimum of 30 contests.

Vay went 28-4-0 with a 2.03 GAA, a .923 SV% and five shutouts in 32 games with the El Paso Rhinos in the Western States Hockey League (WSHL) in 2014-15. He ranked T-1st in the league in shutouts, third in SV% and fourth in GAA as the Rhinos advanced to the Thorne Cup Final. Vay went 25-1-0 in 26 games with El Paso in 2013-14 and led the WSHL with a 1.76 GAA, a .936 SV% and ranked T-1st with five shutouts as the Rhinos won the 2014 Thorne Cup and National Championship.

What do you think of the long term outlook on Adam Vay? Will he see any playing time with the Minnesota Wild soon? Or do you think he will be more of a long term project? Drop us a note in the comments with your thoughts!