Minnesota State’s Wagner Off To Pro Ranks

The St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League announced Thursday that they have signed Minnesota State defenseman Steve Wagner to a two-year entry-level contract, beginning next year.

Wagner will join the Peoria Rivermen, the Blues’ affiliate in the American Hockey League, for the remainder of the season as an amateur tryout.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Named All-WCHA Third Team in 2006-07, Wagner led MSU defensemen in scoring in 2006-07 with 6-23–29. He trailed only Travis Morin on the overall MSU offensive charts and totalled career highs for goals, assists and points this year.

He currently ranks 11th in the country in defenseman scoring with a 0.76 points per game mark and his 29 points this year tied for 12th on MSU’s single-season defensemen scoring list.

The Grand Rapids, Minn., native led MSU with 23 assists in 2006-07 and in 113 overall games, racked up 12-43–55 during his three-year collegiate career. An assistant captain this year, he was a two-time WCHA All-Academic honoree.