ST PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild is making a significant investment in the future of its defensive corps, announcing a deal with home-grown skater Brock Faber to the tune of eight years and $68 million.
Faber, just 21 years old, finished second to offensive phenom Connor Bedard in voting for the 2024 Calder Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top rookie. He put up 47 points (eight goals, 39 assists), but more importantly, logged just under 25 minutes of ice time per game, tops among all rookies and fifth among all NHL players.
Due to injuries, Faber was thrust into first-pair status, playing in all situations with the poise and skill of skaters with a decade of experience. He killed penalties, quarterbacked the power play for much of the season and was arguably the Wild's most dependable defenseman as a rookie.
Faber grew up playing hockey in Maple Grove, was selected for the U.S. Hockey National Team Development Team, and captained the Minnesota Gophers to the 2023 Frozen Four Championship game, where they lost to Quinnapiac. Just days later he signed with the Wild, jumped on a plane and joined the club for a game against the Chicago Blackhawks. He jumped right into the lineup, finishing the season with a series loss to the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference quarterfinals.
He was originally a second-round pick by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2020 NHL Draft, but was dealt to the Wild as part of a package in exchange for forward Kevin Fiala.
Faber's new deal starts in the 2025-26 season when his rookie deal expires.