Wild sign Charlie Stramel to three-year, entry-level contract
The Minnesota Wild have announced that they’ve signed prospect center Charlie Stramel to a three-year, entry-level contract.
A hometown kid in a Wild sweater just feels right We have signed forward Charlie Stramel to a three-year, entry-level contract starting the 2026-27 season Full details » bit.ly/4tx60BE
Stramel’s contract will begin in the 2026-27 season. While some players would either sign for the remainder of the 2025-26 season to play with their NHL team, or an AHL professional tryout to play pro hockey in the minors, Stramel won’t be doing either due to a broken ankle keeping him out for the remainder of the season. Stramel sustained the injury early in Michigan State University’s 4-3 quarterfinal loss against Wisconsin.
At this point in time, the salary of Stramel’s contract, along with any signing or performance bonuses, are not known. However, based on the parameters set in the collective bargaining agreement, his salary should fall somewhere between $850,000 and $1.025 million.
Stramel is coming off of his best season in the NCAA, where he put up 19 goals and 25 assists for 44 points in 37 games. Prior to that, he had a combined 17 goals and 30 assists for 47 points in his previous three seasons, so he nearly doubles his career totals in his final season.
Stramel was the Wild’s 21st-overall selection in the 2023 NHL Draft, a draft class which has already seen 36 players graduate to the NHL, including 22 first-round picks.
Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis had this to say about Stramel in his piece highlighting NHL prospects to watch during the 2026 NCAA men’s hockey tournament:
“This will be Stramel’s last kick at the can. So it’s a good thing that he has played his best hockey this season. He had 47 points over his first three seasons combined before exploding for 19 goals and 44 points this year. The 6-foot-3 forward plays a powerful game, overwhelming opponents with both a big shot and his massive frame. Stramel is extremely difficult to contain on the rush, even if he’s not the fastest skater you’ll find. He’s likely a middle-six player in the NHL.”
Stramel was a part of a strong Michigan State squad who finished first in the Big 10 conference with a 16-6-2 record, and a 26-9-2 overall record. However, they fell short in the playoffs, losing 4-3 to Wisconsin in the quarterfinals.