Hockey Ops Blog: Fritsche Fits PONDcast: Introducing Dan Fritsche Video: Fritsche's Highlight File

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired center/left wing Dan Fritsche (FRIHT-chee) from the New York Rangers in exchange for defenseman Erik Reitz. The Wild also assigned center Krys Kolanos to AHL Houston.

“Dan is a versatile player who can play center or wing, a determined player who makes the game harder on the opposition, and a winning player - he's won a Memorial Cup and a World Junior Championship for Team USA,” said Risebrough.

Fritsche, 23 (7/13/85), posted four points (1-3=4) in 16 games with the Rangers this season. The 6-foot-1, 204-pound native of Parma, Ohio, has played in 222 career NHL games over five seasons with Columbus and New York, totaling 67 points (30-37=67) and 93 penalty minutes. Fritsche was the Blue Jackets’ second-round pick (No. 46 overall) in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He won the Memorial Cup with London of the Ontario Hockey League in 2005, and was a member of the Team USA World Junior team that took the gold medal in 2004.

Kolanos, 27 (7/27/81), has recorded six points (3-3=6) in 19 games with the Wild this season.

Reitz, 26 (7/29/82), had two points (1-1=2) and 41 penalty minutes in 31 games with the Wild this season, and totaled two points (1-1=2) and 45 penalty minutes in 37 career games with Minnesota.


* See Dan Fritche's player page for more complete statistics