Wild claim defenseman Prosser off waivers

The Minnesota Wild are turning to a familiar face to supplement their struggling defense.



The Wild claimed defenseman Nate Prosser off waivers Thursday from the St. Louis Blues, just a few months after losing the 31-year-old Elk River native to a division rival in free agency.

"It's great. Everyone's really excited. He's obviously really excited too," Wild forward Zach Parise said. "Just a good guy to have around. We're excited to have him back."

The move fills a need for their Wild, who are shorthanded on the back end after losing Jared Spurgeon to a groin injury and waiving offseason addition Kyle Quincy.

A nine-year veteran, Prosser was a regular on the Wild's blue line from 2011-17 after making a handful of appearances during his first two seasons in the organization. Prosser has appeared in 283 career games, scoring 38 points and posting a minus-nine rating.