/ AP

Brian Rolston signed a multiyear contract with the Wild on Thursday.

updated 6:17 p.m. ET July 8, 2004

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Forward Brian Rolston signed a three-year contract with the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, giving the team one of its highest-profile free agents in its four-year history.

Rolston had 19 goals and 29 assists for the Boston Bruins last season and led the league with seven short-handed points. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder is a versatile two-way player with 432 points in 736 career games with the New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche and Boston.

Rolston was wooed by several teams, but the Michigan native felt most comfortable on a team in the Midwest.

“I wanted to come to a place that loves hockey,” he said. “We know that the fans here are spectacular.”

Familiarity also helps. The 31-year-old Rolston played on Wild coach Jacques Lemaire’s Stanley Cup champion Devils as a rookie in 1994-95.

“Jacque is a big plus,” he said. “I’m comfortable with the way he coaches. It’s always a team concept, and I’m going to be happy to be a part of that team.”

Rolston can play all three forward positions, but he fills a big need for an offensive center with experience on special teams. Though his numbers slipped a bit last season, Rolston scored a career-high 31 goals in 2001-02 for the Bruins.

The Wild tied for 23rd in the NHL last year with 2.29 goals per game.

“We are excited to have him join,” general manager Doug Risebrough said.

A two-time Olympian who will play for Team USA in the World Cup in September, Rolston scored the game-winning goal for Lake Superior State in the 1992 NCAA championship game.

At least two of the Americans’ World Cup games will be played at Xcel Energy Center, Minnesota’s arena.

“I’ll be able to get a taste of what it’s like,” he said. “I’ll have a U.S. jersey on before I have a Wild jersey on.”

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