For Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin, securing 21-year-old defenseman Brock Faber with the largest contract extension in the team’s history was an easy choice.
At a press conference on Monday, Guerin explained, “In my role, and with the hockey operations team, it’s crucial to identify players who will be foundational for the future. Brock is clearly one of those players, so extending him was a no-brainer.”
Faber, who signed an eight-year contract worth $68 million, had an impressive rookie season. In the 2023-24 campaign, he finished second in Calder Trophy voting for the NHL’s rookie of the year, trailing only Connor Bedard.
Due to injuries that sidelined Wild captain Jared Spurgeon for most of the season, Faber stepped up into a top-pairing role. He ranked fifth in the NHL for total ice time, averaging 24:58 per game and playing all 82 games. His versatility was evident as he contributed on the power play, penalty kill, and in 3-on-3 overtime. With 47 points, he matched the production of notable defensemen such as Charlie McAvoy, Noah Hanifin, and fellow rookie Luke Hughes.
Faber’s performance under pressure was remarkable, considering he was drafted in the second round by the Los Angeles Kings in 2020 and later traded to his hometown team in a deal involving forward Kevin Fiala.
“I grew up a Minnesota fan,” Faber said on Monday. “From Wild jerseys to posters, it was always a dream to play for this team. It’s incredible how things worked out, and I’m ready to seize every opportunity.”
Faber will finish his entry-level contract before the new extension begins in the 2025-26 season. The deal, averaging $8.5 million annually, will keep him with the Wild until he is nearly 31 years old.