UND's Genoway signs with Minnesota Wild

There have been several memorable moments at Xcel Energy Center for Chay Genoway.

He captained the Sioux to back-to-back Broadmoor Trophies there and played for three Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff titles in the building.

Next year, he'll try to add to the list.

Genoway signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday and will report to the NHL team's training camp in the fall. Genoway, who was a free agent, will hope to make his NHL debut in St. Paul.

"There were a bunch of teams that really wanted him," Genoway's agent, Justin Duberman said. "But Minnesota presented the best opportunity. It's a great organization. It's a rink he's become familiar with over the last five years and they really wanted him."

Genoway earned the rookie maximum contract, about $900,000, according to Duberman. It will be worth less if he plays for Minnesota's American Hockey League affiliate, the Houston Aeros.

"The Wild are a really good organization," Genoway said. "I have a little bit of familiarity with them because they are on FSN here. There was interest on both sides and we were able to meet up.

"I for sure need to have a big summer. This is really exciting. It's what you look forward to. I've never been to an NHL camp or anything. It will be exciting to be a part of it."

It has been a long, winding road to the pros for the Morden, Man., native.

Genoway, who played prep hockey at Shattuck-St. Mary's, didn't receive college attention until he went to the British Columbia Hockey League. There, he was moved from forward to defense and put up big numbers.

Still, only UND and a couple of Ivy League schools recruited the undersized, dynamic defenseman.

Genoway chose UND, where his brother Colby went, and immediately provided an impact. He was an all-WCHA pick for four years. He was twice named an American Hockey Coaches Association All-American. As a junior, Genoway was named the league's defensive player of the year.

In 2009-10, Genoway got off to a great start, but suffered a concussion nine games into the season. He was unable to return the rest of the year. In the offseason, he was granted a medical redshirt by the NCAA and he decided to use it instead of signing with one of several professional teams that showed interest.

During his final year, Genoway captained the Sioux to a MacNaughton Cup, a Broadmoor Trophy and the No. 1 ranking in the country. UND's season ended Thursday in the Xcel Energy Center with a semifinal loss to the University of Michigan.

"Things are still pretty raw with what happened, losing out in a game, especially the way we did," Genoway said. "We had the feeling like we just needed to get one by that goalie and things would have changed. It's tough to look back on it. Doing all this business stuff is weird when you have an empty feeling in your stomach.

"This summer, we will reminisce about some of the memories over the year, and for the seniors, our careers. There are definitely a lot of them. I don't think I'm ready to let go."