Following a senior season that saw his University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux carry a number-one seed into the NCAA Frozen Four, captain and Vernon Vipers alum Chay Genoway has signed a pro contract with the Minnesota Wild.
It's a one-year deal worth $900,000 that will see the Morden, Man. native attend the Wild's September training camp. A number of teams expressed interest in the undersized blueliner but Genoway and his agent felt Minnesota offered the best fit.
Originally a forward, the 5-foot-9, 180-pounder started playing defence when he joined the Vipers after playing prep hockey at the Shattuck-St. Mary's program in Minnesota. The switch proved a good one as he showed offensive flair from the back end and began garnering college interest.
At North Dakota, Genoway was named to the all-Western Collegiate Hockey Association team each of the four seasons he played. He was also a four-time all-academic selection.
With the Vipers, Genoway played one season in 2005-06 scoring 17 goals and 32 assists and adding eight helpers in 10 playoff games.
