Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed defenseman Daniel Tjarnqvist (pronounced TUH-yahrn-kvihst) to a 2005-06 contract.

Tjarnqvist, 28 (10/14/76), is a three-year NHL veteran and has played in 218 games in three seasons with the Atlanta Thrashers. In 2003-04, the native of Umea, Sweden established career-highs with five goals and 20 points (5-15=20), ranking second among Thrashers defensemen in both categories.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound defenseman spent last season competing with Djurgardens IF Stockholm of Sweden’s Elitserien League and ranked tied for third on the team with 24 points (12-12=24). Tjarnqvist led team defensemen in goals, points and assists and also ranked second on the team with seven points (2-5=7) in 12 playoff games.

An eight-time international competitor, Tjarnqvist was a member of Team Sweden at the 2004 World Cup, and helped lead Sweden to a silver medal in the 2003 World Championships.

Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.