- Jesper Wallstedt wore a jersey reading “Wallstead” through warmups and the entire first period against the Ducks
- Wallstedt pointed the finger at goalie partner Filip Gustavsson, with Marc-Andre Fleury also a suspect
- Read below for full details on the prank and Wallstedt’s 35-save win
Jesper Wallstedt closed out his rookie season with a win on Tuesday night. He also closed it out wearing someone else’s name.
The Minnesota Wild goaltender took the ice for warmups and the first period against the Anaheim Ducks with a misspelled nameplate on his jersey. Instead of “Wallstedt,” the back of his sweater read “Wallstead.” He didn’t catch it until after allowing a first-period goal.
“I looked on the Jumbotron, trying to see what went wrong in the play,” Wallstedt said postgame. “Thought something just looked a little weird on my upper back.”
Wallstedt called it “an April Fool’s joke, but a little late.” He got his corrected jersey for the second period and went on to stop 35 of 37 shots in a 3-2 win.
When asked who was behind it, Wallstedt didn’t hesitate. “I’m assuming it was Gus,” he told Fan Duel Sports Network’s Kevin Gorg, referring to goalie partner Filip Gustavsson.
But there’s another prime suspect in the Wild locker room. Marc-Andre Fleury, one of the greatest pranksters in NHL history, retired after the 2024-25 season but has remained around the team in Minnesota. He’s even hopped on the ice as a practice goalie this season.
“Oh, I didn’t even think that Flower could be involved,” Wallstedt said when the suggestion was raised. “Then I definitely think it’s a team job. And well done for them.”
Fleury was famous for his locker room antics during his playing days. While with the Wild, he once planted an actual bed of flowers on teammate Brandon Duhaime’s stall — a nod to his “Flower” nickname.
Prank aside, Wallstedt was sharp in what was a meaningless game on paper. The Wild (46-24-12) had already locked up their playoff spot and will face the Dallas Stars in the first round. Hunter Haight scored his first NHL goal in the win, and Danila Yurov and Robby Fabbri also found the net.
Wallstedt finished his rookie campaign at 18-9-6 with a 2.61 goals-against average and .916 save percentage. Both his wins and four shutouts set Wild rookie records. Not a bad year — even if his own team couldn’t spell his name.
