ST. PAUL, Minn., July 24 -- The Minnesota Wild will have a veteran presence on defense during their inaugural season as the expansion team Monday signed 34-year-old defenseman J.J. Daigneault, who spent last season with the Phoenix Coyotes and will join his 10th NHL team.
Minnesota also named Mario Tremblay and Mike Ramsey as assistant coaches.
Daigneault had a goal and six assist in 53 games last season, his 15th since the Vancouver Canucks made him the 10th overall pick in the 1984 draft. He also has played for Philadelphia, Montreal, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Anaheim, the New York Islanders and Nashville.
The 5-10, 192-pound journeyman won a Stanley Cup as a member of the Canadiens in 1993.
Tremblay rejoins Wild coach Jacques Lemaire and general manager Doug Risebrough his former teammates in Montreal. He spent the last three seasons as a professional scout for the Canadiens after a two-year stint as the team's coach.
Ramsey, won an NCAA championship with the University of Minnesota in 1979 and owns a sporting goods store in Chanhassen, Minn. A member of the 1980 United States Olympic team, he spent the last three seasons as an assistant with the Buffalo Sabres following an 18-year playing career.NEWLN:
