ST. PAUL, Minn. — Charlie Stramel, one of college hockey’s best players during his senior season at Michigan State, has signed a three-year, $3.225 million contract with the Minnesota Wild, the team announced on Monday night.

The deal starts in 2026-27 with a $1.075 million cap hit as opposed to burning the first year of the contract this season.

Stramel, 21, could have become a free agent on Aug. 15, but the Rosemount, Minn., native is remaining loyal to his hometown franchise, which stuck with him during two tumultuous seasons at the University of Wisconsin before he transferred to Michigan State, where his career turned dramatically for the better under coach Adam Nightingale.

The big center broke his ankle in the first period of a second-round loss in the NCAA Tournament against Wisconsin this season. Had he not, he would have burned the first year of the contract and reported to Minnesota for the opportunity to get to know his new teammates, play in one of the final regular-season games and be eligible for the playoffs. But it was determined that the injury would make a return during the postseason unlikely and starting the deal next season made more sense.

“He’s going to be a mainstay in the NHL for a long time,” said former NHLer Ben Clymer, a college hockey analyst for Big Ten Network. “You think of the size and the smarts. He skates well. He’s responsible. He has the ability to where he could, depending on how his offense is going, slot in on the (second or third line). He has the 200-foot nature to his game. He feels more complete this year.”

The 2023 first-round pick will earn $1.025 million next season ($922,500 salary plus $102,500 signing bonus) when he’s in the NHL, $1.075 million in 2027-28 ($967,500 salary plus $107,500 signing bonus) and $1.125 million in 2028-29 ($1.012.5 million salary plus $112,500 signing bonus). He also has a chance to earn max “A” bonuses for forwards, per league sources. He can earn $250,000 for each bonus up to a maximum of $1 million if he achieves four of the following each season: 20 goals, 35 assists, 60 points, top six in total or average ice time among Wild forwards (minimum 42 games), top three in plus-minus among Wild forwards (minimum 42 games), 0.73 points per game (minimum 42 games), making the all-rookie team, being an All-Star selection or being the All-Star Game MVP.

Stramel, who was a top-10 Hobey Baker finalist, scored 19 goals (tied for 15th in the nation) and 44 points (tied for 12th in the nation) in 37 games this season. His 483 faceoffs won ranked second. Nightingale, who previously coached Stramel with USA Hockey, told The Athletic that Stramel is the best net-front guy he has ever coached and was one of the most pro-ready prospects he saw this season.

Stramel told The Athletic in January that he planned to sign with the Wild after the season and not test free agency, and he remained true to his word despite the fact that his name was in trade rumors in advance of the March 6 deadline and he could be deemed trade bait this offseason if the Wild pursue a top forward via trade. Stramel was very complimentary of Minnesota’s staff, including director of player development Brad Bombardir, saying they were great in giving him support and tips along the way. They were a presence at a lot of his games.

“The player development staff, they’ve been awesome,” Stramel said. “They’ve helped me a ton over the years, so I’m thankful for them to be in my corner.”

Stramel attended a Wild home game during the winter and got even more excited, having already been a fan of the team long before the draft.

“They’re a great team this year and had that big move (for Quinn Hughes), so they’re super fun to watch,” Stramel said. “I’m looking forward to hopefully getting the opportunity to throw that jersey on.”

Deemed largely a bust during a tough first two seasons at Wisconsin, Stramel entered the transfer portal two years ago and went to the Spartans because of his relationship with Nightingale.

The difference between Stramel with the Badgers and Stramel with the Spartans has been remarkable. The biggest thing, Stramel said, was getting back to his identity of being a power forward who could use his size and skating ability to be a factor.

“I could get back to the player I was (at the U.S. National Team Development Program under Nightingale),” he said. “I need to use my size and play to my strengths. I feel like I’ve been able to do that every single night.

“Confidence is everything.”

Stramel earned a chance to play a top-six role and power play with the Spartans the past two seasons, which helped him boost his numbers. He played on a line with Hobey Baker winner Isaac Howard in his junior season and has been a fixture with touted Philadelphia Flyers prospect Porter Martone this season.

Nightingale noted how much of an impact Stramel had on both Howard and Martone.

“You look at how Ike won the Hobey last year, and you look at how Porter has transitioned to college — probably as good a freshman as there is in college hockey, right?” Nightingale said. “The common denominator was Charlie and Daniel Russell.”

Nightingale said Stramel was their best player most nights. Even back in January, he felt Stramel was ready to make the jump.

“He can help a good team win.”