The Minnesota Wild has locked up another talented Finnish forward. The Wild has signed forward Erik Haula to an entry-level contract. The former University of Minnesota star is flying to Houston today and will join the Aeros, the Wild’s American Hockey League affiliate.

The 22-year-old collected 51 points (16-35=51), a plus-20 rating and 14 penalty minutes (PIM) in 37 games during his junior season at the University of Minnesota. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound native of Pori, Fin., served as an alternate captain and led the Gophers in points, assists and plus-minus rating and ranked second in goals. He ranked second in the NCAA in assists and tied for fourth in scoring and was named to the 2012-13 All-WCHA Second Team and the All-WCHA Academic Team. Haula led Minnesota and ranked ninth in the nation in scoring with 49 points (20-29=49) in 43 games in 2011-12 to help the Gophers advance to the NCAA Frozen Four. He tallied 24 points (6-18=24) in 34 games during his freshman season and ranked tied for first on the team in assists and third in scoring.

Haula collected seven points (4-3=7) in six games for Finnish players at the 2011 World Junior Championship. He helped Finland claim the bronze medal at the 2009 Under-18 World Championship totaling four points (3-1=4) in six games. Haula also played for Finland at the 2008 Under-18 World Championship and recorded four points (1-3=4). He notched 84 points (26-58=84) and 46 PIM in 53 games with Shattuck-St. Mary’s during the 2008-09 season.

He was originally selected by Minnesota in the seventh-round (No. 182 overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.