Wild, Stephane Veilleux avoid arbitration with one-year deal

Minnesota Wild's Stephane Veilleux celebrates after scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Sunrise, Fla., Friday, Feb 29, 2008. The Wild won 3-2. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Alan Diaz

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Stephane Veilleux and the Minnesota Wild agreed to terms Saturday on a one-year contract, avoiding a salary arbitration hearing.

The 26-year-old Veilleux, who has carved a niche as a left wing on the Wild's checking line, scored a career-high 11 goals and added seven assists in 77 games last season.

He has played five seasons with the Wild, who drafted him in the third round in 2001.