Vancouver Canucks right winger Brock Boeser scored in the second period of his NHL debut Saturday against the Minnesota Wild -- one day after his North Dakota team lost in the NCAA tournament.

Boeser notched his first career NHL goal with 8:09 remaining in the second period, scoring off a rebound on a 2-on-2 rush. Teammate Reid Boucher added two scores in a four-goal second period and the Canucks went on to defeat the slumping Wild 4-2.

Boeser was signed to an entry-level deal by the Canucks on Saturday. On Friday, he played in the Fighting Hawks' 4-3 double-overtime loss to Boston University in Fargo, North Dakota, tallying an assist in the contest.

"It's been crazy -- obviously a heartbreak loss there with my North Dakota team," Boeser said. "But, you know, I had to regroup there and focus on this game. I definitely think adrenaline kicked in here."

Boeser's new team had some fun with the rookie prior to the game. The forward thought he was leading the Canucks out for warm-ups but ended up doing a circle around the ice alone.

The Canucks also surprised Boeser by bringing his parents into the locker room before the game.

"It's good for him," Canucks coach Willie Desjardins said. "It's a great story for him playing at home, and to get [a goal], it was good."

The Canucks selected Boeser with the 23rd overall pick in the 2015 draft.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.