NHL Star and Former Sioux Falls Stampede Member Thomas Vanek Signs with the Minnesota Wild

Free Agency began, and it didn't take long for the Minnesota Wild to make a move. The Wild have signed NHL star Thomas Vanek to a three year, $19.5 million contract. Vanek was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 2003.

Before Vanek arrived in Buffalo, he played for the Sioux Falls Stampede. Vanek is the all-time leading scorer for the Stampede, and played in Sioux Falls from 1999-2002.

Vanek played for the Sabres from 2005-2014, and was traded to the New York Islanders for 13 games in 2014, and finally moved to Montreal to finish the 2014 campaign. During his career, Vanek has scored 277 goals, posted 279 assist, and has appeared in 663 games.

Vanek, and his family, live in Minnesota making the decision even easier to sign with the Wild.