Minnesota Wild first-round pick Joel Eriksson Ek will play his first NHL game Saturday night.
The 20th overall pick in June's draft is in the lineup against the New Jersey Devils, Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau confirmed prior to the contest.
Eriksson Ek was recalled from Minnesota's AHL affiliate, the Iowa Wild, on Saturday afternoon.
The 19-year-old Swedish forward scored in his North American pro debut and lone appearance with Iowa earlier this week.
The Wild sent defenseman Mike Reilly back to the AHL in a corresponding move Saturday.
