The Minnesota Wild has brought a fan favorite back to the organization and into the front office.

The Wild has named Andrew Brunette Hockey Operations Advisor.

In his new role with the Wild, Brunette will assist General Manager Chuck Fletcher in all aspects of the team’s hockey operations including scouting, free agent signings and helping with the evaluation and development of prospects at all levels of the organization.

Brunette collected 733 points (268-465=733), including 114 power-play goals and 32 game-winning goals, as well as 314 penalty minutes in 1,110 games during his 16-year career. From 1998-99 thru 2011-12, he played in 1,048 regular season games, the most of any NHL player during that timeframe, missing only 18 contests. Brunette appeared in his 1,000th career NHL game as a member of the Wild on Feb. 1, 2011 vs. Los Angeles.

In six seasons with Minnesota (2001-04, 2008-11), the native of Sudbury, Ont., compiled 321 points (119-202=321) in 489 contests. Brunette ranks second in franchise history in goals and power-play goals (55), fourth in points, assists and game-winning goals (16) and fifth in games played. He tallied 35 points (17-18=35) in 49 playoff matches and scored the overtime goal in Game 7 of the 2003 Western Conference Quarterfinal series against the Colorado Avalanche to clinch the Wild’s first playoff series win.

He was originally selected by Washington in the seventh round (174th overall) of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut with the Capitals on Jan. 17, 1996 at Chicago. Brunette spent parts of three seasons in Washington (1995-98), one with the Nashville Predators where he scored the first goal in franchise history (1998-99), two with the Atlanta Thrashers (1999-2001) and three with the Colorado Avalanche (2005-08) before finishing his playing career with the Chicago Blackhawks last season.

Brunette will also drop the puck in a ceremonial face-off prior to tomorrow’s game against the Colorado Avalanche at 7 p.m. on FOX Sports North and KFAN 100.3 FM.