Wild return Eriksson Ek to Sweden

Joel Eriksson Ek's first NHL season will be an abbreviated one.

The Minnesota Wild assigned the 19-year-old forward to Farjestad BK in the Swedish Elite League, the club announced Thursday.

Eriksson Ek scored two goals and added three assists in nine games this season with the Wild, who drafted him 20th overall in 2015.

He played his first two pro seasons with Farjestad from 2014-16.