A deep dive into the Minnesota Wild WHL prospect pool.
Welcome to this edition of the 2026 WHL Prospect Pools. Throughout the 2026 off-season, we will be looking at current or recently graduated WHLers who have been drafted or signed by NHL clubs. Today's organization is the Minnesota Wild.
The Wild prospect pool features one player who played in the WHL last year, and that's 2025 draft pick and Brandon Wheat Kings forward Carter Klippenstein.
In 2026, the Wild added Kayden Lemire of the Prince George Cougars and Wheat Kings goaltender Filip Ruzicka.
Klippenstein is coming off a solid season with the Brandon Wheat Kings where he tallied 28 points (11 goals, 17 assists) in 38 games. The forward has officially committed to the NCAA route and will continue his collegiate development with Providence College.
Drafted in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, Lemire brings excellent size to the Wild's system. The towering 6-foot-4, 194-pound right wing will continue his development in the western junior circuit with the Prince George Cougars for the upcoming season.
Ruzicka is a massive 6-foot-8 Czech netminder who recently signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Minnesota. During his rookie season in North America, he posted an impressive 26-14-1 record, a .906 save percentage, and a 3.19 GAA for the Wheat Kings. Ruzicka also shares a unique connection within the organization, as he is a former teammate and billet brother of fellow Wild prospect Carter Klippenstein in Brandon.
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