The Minnesota Wild Road Tour made a stop in Winona Monday at the Bud King Ice Arena and there was a steady stream of fans entering the arena to get their chance at an autograph. Wild players Matt Kassian and Charlie Coyle came to Winona along with former Wild player Antti Laaksnen and Wild TV analyst Mike Greenlay.

Coyle is one of the younger Wild prospects at the age of 20 and he will be invited to training camp with a chance to make the Wild squad. Last year Coyle started the season with Boston University before leaving the school halfway through the season to go play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Coyle had a fantastic run in the junior hockey league with his team, Saint John, and was named the playoff MVP after his team won the league playoffs.

This is Charlie’s first Wild Road tour and he said he enjoyed meeting the fans yesterday especially the kids.  He said he remembers being one of the kids seeking autographs when he was younger so he likes to be able to give back to other kids.

Matt Kassian played his second year with the Wild last season after being drafted by the Wild in 2005. Kassian scored just two goals last season but scoring isn’t really his role on the team.  He's more of an enforcer.

Laaksnen is retired from the NHL and now makes his home in the Twin Cities. He helps train high school players in the Twin Cities area.