ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Wild have re-signed backup goaltender Josh Harding.
The team made the announcement Friday, bringing back a dependable backup to Niklas Backstrom. The 27-year-old missed all of last season with torn ligaments in his right knee, leaving his future with the team in doubt.
Jose Theodore was brought in to fill the void and played well. But Theodore’s desire to compete for a full-time starting job likely contributed to the decision to keep Harding.
Harding went 9-12 with a 3.05 goals-against average in 2009-10. He has started 65 games for the Wild in five seasons. He was a second round pick of the Wild in 2002 and has spent his entire NHL career with Minnesota.
