ST. PAUL - Former UND hockey player Brad Bombardir has been named director of player development for the Minnesota Wild.
Bombardir will be responsible for evaluating prospects in the Wild organization and implementing programs to help continue their development. Bombardir also serves as senior director of community relations for the organization and will continue to serve in a wide variety of the organization's community partnership initiatives.
Bombardir played four years of college hockey at UND, from 1990-94.
Bombardir, 38, was one of the most popular players in team history. He was acquired by Minnesota via a trade with the New Jersey Devils in June of 2000. The Powell River, B.C., native was a member of the franchise's inaugural team and played 212 games in a Wild sweater. During his run in Minnesota, he was named the monthly captain a franchise-record seven times.
Originally drafted by the Devils in the third round of the 1990 Entry draft, Bombardir played 356 games during his eight years in the NHL with New Jersey, Minnesota and Nashville. He made his NHL debut with the Devils during the 1997-98 campaign, and captured a Stanley Cup championship in his third season with New Jersey in 1999-2000.
