The Minnesota Wild made a significant roster move on Sunday, acquiring forward Boris Katchouk from the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for fellow forward Michael Milne. The announcement was made via the Wild’s official social media channels, indicating that Katchouk will report to the AHL’s Iowa Wild.
Boris Katchouk, 27, had a brief stint with the Lightning this season, playing in three games and averaging about 12 minutes of ice time without recording any points. His NHL career spans 179 games with the Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks, and Ottawa Senators, where he has tallied 15 goals and 36 points. The Waterloo, Ontario native brings experience and depth to the Iowa Wild as they continue their competitive season in the AHL.
On the other side of the trade, Michael Milne, a 23-year-old forward who made his NHL debut with the Wild last season, has played a limited role at the NHL level, logging just over six minutes in his only game. Milne has been productive in the AHL, amassing 32 goals and 65 points in 172 games since he was drafted in the third round of the 2022 NHL Entry Draft.
This trade may prove beneficial for both teams, with Katchouk looking to find more consistent playing time and Milne having the opportunity to develop further within the Lightning organization. The exchange reflects strategic moves by both franchises as they aim to strengthen their lineups heading into the second half of the season.