Former Colorado College defenseman Nate Prosser signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Wild Wednesday and will join the team in Nashville Thursday.

The Elk River, Minn., senior was pleased at the opportunity to sign with his home team.

“That’s huge,” he said. “The possibility of playing in front of my family and friends is exciting. I just want to thank the Lord for the opportunity and the doors he opened.”

He is unsure when he will make his NHL debut.

The contract, not yet announced by the Wild (34-29-6), was “close to the max for a rookie,” said Prosser, who turns 24 in May. For NHL rookies under 25, the maximum is a little more than $1 million in salary with 50 percent in signing, reporting and roster bonuses. He would be paid less if he plays with Houston, Minnesota’s American Hockey League affiliate, next season. He will be on the Wild’s roster for all 13 remaining regular-season games.

The Wild did not approach his agent, Neil K. Sheehy, until after CC was eliminated in the league playoffs. Prosser stayed in Minnesota to compare organizations’ depth charts with Sheehy Hockey LLC, which represents former CC players Brian Connelly, Mark Cullen, Jack Hillen, Marty Sertich and Toby Petersen, according to its Web site.

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