Bonanza’s Zucker to break ice as first Nevadan in NHL

Jason Zucker is a day away from becoming the first player from Nevada to play in the NHL.

Zucker, a former Bonanza High student who grew up in Las Vegas, signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday and is expected to make his NHL debut on Thursday at home against the Florida Panthers.

"I'm happy to get the deal done. It's such a great organization here, and I'm very excited to get going," Zucker said on the phone from Minnesota, where he attended the end of the Wild's 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.

"It's going to be a big chance for me," the 20-year-old said. "It's a huge step. It's something I've dreamt of my whole life."

Zucker, a left wing, is expected to join the Wild for practice today and remain with Minnesota for its final six regular-season games. The Wild didn't qualify for the NHL playoffs.

A second-round draft pick of Minnesota -- 59th overall -- in 2010, the speedy Zucker played the past two years for the University of Denver, compiling 22 goals and 24 assists in 38 games this season as a sophomore for the Pioneers, who were ousted from the NCAA Tournament in the first round Friday by Ferris State.

Zucker, who captained the United States in this year's World Junior Championships, tied for ninth in the nation in power-play goals, with nine, tied for 13th in goals and tied for 15th in points (46).

As a freshman, he scored 45 points on 23 goals and 22 assists en route to earning Western Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Year honors.

Zucker bulked up last summer, adding 14 pounds to his 5-foot-11-inch, 187-pound frame through work with a personal trainer and nutritionist in Las Vegas. Now he's eager for a taste of NHL playing time.

"I just want to gain experience. That's really about it for me," he said. "I'm just excited to be here. Obviously it's a faster league, with bigger guys and the best players in the world. It's going to be a big learning experience for me."

Zucker was born in Newport Beach, Calif., but his family moved to Las Vegas when he was 2 months old and still resides here. He attended Bonanza his freshman year before heading to Ann Arbor, Mich., to play for the prestigious Detroit Compuware Under-16 team and in the U.S. National Team Development Program.

"We are very excited to have Jason under contract and look forward to seeing his development," Wild assistant general manager Brent Flahr told the team's website Tuesday.

This season will count as the first year of Zucker's contract. He'll be paid a prorated portion of his $700,000 salary the rest of this season and is to earn $900,000 in each of the next two seasons if he's in the NHL. He'll also receive 10 percent in signing bonuses each year, with $70,000 this season and $90,000 each of the next two years.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.