Wild activate Joel Eriksson Ek off injured reserve

To make room for Eriksson Ek, Minnesota has assigned forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel to the AHL’s Iowa Wild.

Eriksson Ek, 28, has missed the Wild’s last six games with a lower-body injury he suffered during Minnesota’s 3-2 overtime win over the Seattle Kraken on January 8th. In 45 games played this season, the Swedish national has 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points. Last season, he notched 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points in just 46 games played.

Initially selected 20th overall by the Wild in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Eriksson Ek dipped his toe in the NHL when he played 15 games for Minnesota in the 2016-17 season, putting up three goals and four assists for seven points. He became a regular NHLer in 2017-18, when he notched six goals and 10 assists for 16 points in 75 games.

While always a strong defensive center, Eriksson Ek has slowly developed his offensive game to become a legitimate top-six forward. His most productive season came in 2023-24, when he scored 30 goals and added 34 assists for 64 points in 77 games.

Eriksson Ek’s return to health is not only great news for the Wild, but also the Swedish men’s national team. Eriksson Ek was named to Sweden’s roster for the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. With Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson unlikely to play in the Olympics due to injury, Eriksson Ek figures to play an even more prominent role up the middle for Sweden.

After beginning a four-game homestand Thursday against Detroit, Minnesota will host the Florida Panthers on Saturday.