Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today announced the National Hockey League club has reassigned goaltender Darcy Kuemper from the Ontario Reign of the ECHL to the American Hockey League’s Houston Aeros.
In addition, goaltender Dennis Endras has been reassigned from the Aeros to HIFK-Helsinki (SM-liiga).
Kuemper, 21, led the ECHL in both GAA (1.74) and save percentage (.941) at the time of his recall and posted a 7-1-0 record with the Reign. In 2010-11, the Saskatoon, Sask., native saw action in 62 games with the Red Deer Rebels (WHL), compiling a record of 45-12-5. He earned 13 shutouts, a 1.86 GAA and a .933 save percentage and ranked first in the WHL in wins, GAA, save percentage and shutouts, leading to his selection as 2010-11 WHL Player of the Year and the WHL Goaltender of the Year.
Kuemper played four games for the Aeros in 2009-10, allowing eight goals on 70 shots to post an AHL record of 2-1-0.
He was originally selected by Minnesota in the sixth round (161st overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
Endras, 26, appeared in six games for the Aeros this season and posted a 3-2-1 record with a 2.46 GAA and .913 save percentage. Last season, he saw action in 46 games with Augsburg (DEL), compiling a 19-26-0 record with one shutout, a 3.14 GAA and .900 save percentage. He posted a 2-2-2 record with a 3.36 GAA and a .893 save percentage in six games for Germany at 2011 World Championship.
Endras received the Rookie of the Year Award while playing for Augsburg in 2008-09 and was originally signed by Minnesota as a free agent on July 7, 2010.