Wild make Evason full-time head coach

The Minnesota Wild have named Dean Evason as the fifth full-time head coach in franchise history, the team announced Monday.

Evason also signed a two-year extension with the franchise through the 2021-22 season.

The 55-year-old assumed head coaching duties in an interim capacity this season after Minnesota fired former bench boss Bruce Boudreau in February. Evason led the Wild to an 8-4-0 record before the league halted play on March 12.

"Dean has done a fantastic job as our interim head coach and deserves this opportunity," general manager Bill Guerin said. "I look forward to watching our team under his leadership going forward."

Evason is in his second season with Minnesota after joining the team as an assistant coach in June 2018. He previously spent six years as head coach of the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals (2012-18) and also served as an assistant with the Washington Capitals from 2005-12.

The Wild open training camp Monday under Phase 3 of the NHL's return-to-play protocol. Minnesota is set to play the Vancouver Canucks in a best-of-five play-in series once the qualifying round of the 24-team playoff (Phase 4) begins Aug. 1.

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