Weve won the Brier; this

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ST. PAUL, Minn. - Thomas Vanek had Minnesota high on his list from the start. Hes not the first NHL free agent to do so, and the way the Wild have been progressing he probably wont be the last. Vanek agreed Tuesday to a three-year, $19.5 million contract, giving an improving lineup a potentially prolific scorer and allowing the Austrian-born left wing to settle in an area he has made his home since college. Two summers ago, the Wild turned heads by landing left wing Zach Parise and defenceman Ryan Suter. Now theyve added another top-market free agent in Vanek, whose 277 goals are the eighth-most in the NHL since his debut nine years ago. "What intrigued me the most was obviously with Zach signing here and Suter signing here, this team is getting really good and is very good," Vanek said, adding: "Im extremely thrilled to be a part of the Wild and of a group like this." According to a person with knowledge of the contract who spoke to on condition of anonymity because the team did not announce the value, Vanek will make $5.5 million this season, $6.5 million in 2014-15 and $7.5 million in 2015-16. Vanek lives with his family in Stillwater, an idyllic riverfront suburb a few miles from Xcel Energy Center. He played two seasons at the University of Minnesota before turning pro with Buffalo and called winning the national championship with the Gophers the "best thing" hes done in his hockey career. "To be a part of the Wild now and go after the big prize and having a chance to do it in Minnesota is beyond my wildest dreams," Vanek said. Vanek was the fifth overall pick by the Sabres in 2003. He had two 40-goal seasons for them, but last fall he was traded to the New York Islanders, who later dealt him to Montreal. He totalled 27 goals over 78 games with the three teams. In the playoffs with the Canadiens, he had five goals and five assists in 17 games. Vaneks production slipped at times this season, and he was even benched briefly during the post-season, but the Wild werent deterred. "It certainly wasnt my best one I can tell you that. But Ill take the blame for that," Vanek said. "Its not always easy moving around and being away from my family." Vanek will play on either the first or second line, with some combination of Parise, Jason Pominville, Charlie Coyle, Mikko Koivu and Mikael Granlund likely filling the other top five forward spots. Vaneks 113 power-play goals since his 2005-06 rookie season are the third-most in the NHL in that span. The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Vanek has the type of finishing ability around the net the Wild have lacked. "Theres no question that we do have some skill, but we dont score goals easily," coach Mike Yeo said. Vanek turned down seven-year offers, including from the Islanders. When Pominville was traded to the Wild last year, Vanek was the one who encouraged his long-time Sabres teammate. "He loved Buffalo a lot, which I did too," Vanek said. "But I told him, Youll like it there. Theres a lot of good fans. And after a week or so, he called me and said, You know what? Youre right. I do like it here a lot." Unlike in the other major pro sports, Minnesota can be a destination market in the NHL because of its hockey roots. The addition of Parise and Suter and the Wilds advancement to the Western Conference semifinals this spring were further steps toward NHL prominence. "People recognize the talent that you have. So were getting better. Were in a good place," general manager Chuck Fletcher said. Defenceman Clayton Stoner (Anaheim), left wing Matt Moulson (Buffalo) and centre Cody McCormick (Buffalo) departed the Wild as unrestricted free agents. Others in that category not expected back are left wing Dany Heatley and goalie Ilya Bryzgalov. Defenceman Nate Prosser could return for the right price. The Wild also signed defenceman Stu Bickel (one year) and centre Brett Sutter (two years) to two-way contracts, adding depth with players wholl likely bounce between AHL affiliate Iowa and the parent club. The 27-year-old Sutter, the son of Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter, has played in 54 career NHL games with Calgary and Carolina. Bickel, a native of Chanhassen who played one season for the Gophers, played in 67 games for the New York Rangers over a two-year span. He spent last season in the AHL. ___ AP Sports Writer John Wawrow in Buffalo, New York, contributed to this report. Bernard Jersey . Johan Stander and his daughter Carice Viljoen, neighbours and friends of Pistorius, testified that they were at the runners villa soon after the shooting on Feb. 14, 2013 and that Pistorius was praying, trying to help Steenkamp breathe and urging her to live. 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I really wanted to fight to make her move," the 28th-ranked Makarova said.The biggest and most important curling event since Kevin Martin won Olympic gold in Vancouver will take place at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg from Dec. 1-8. The Roar of the Rings will determine who will represent Canada at the 2014 Olympic Games in February. For the men, the eight-rink field should bring some intriguing competition with Brier, World and Olympic champions among them. Which rink will emerge to represent Canada in Sochi? Martin, alongside his new third Dave Nedohin, will try to get his Edmonton rink back to the Games to defend their title. John Morris was the vice for Martin back in 2010, but he moved on to join Jim Cotter and his rink from British Columbia, who will also be in Winnipeg. Team Morris, which sees Cotter throws final stones, went undefeated at the Pre-Trails in Kitchener. Shortly after the shakeup, Martin said that teams cant stay together forever and hes happy to have Nedohin on the team. "Obviously in this situation, once the change in our team was inevitable, Dave was obviously our first choice for so many reasons," said Martin. In a somewhat surprising move, Brad Gushue of Newfoundland and Labrador will spare for Martin in Winnipeg. Gushue, the 2006 Olympic champion, failed to qualify for the Trials. Coldwater, Ontarios Glenn Howard will look to cross off another accomplishment in his storied career. The four-time Brier and world champion has yet to qualify for an Olympic Games. Being one off the older skips in the game, at the age of 51, this might be his last chance he has to do it.dddddddddddd "Its on my bucket list to get to an Olympics," said Howard, who won the first Grand Slam event of the season in early November. Brad Jacobs and his Sault Ste. Marie rink are the defending Brier champs and also one of the youngest and fittest squads in curling. Now they want to take the next step. "The Olympics and the Brier for me as far as goals, wanting to win and importance is 50/50. Weve won the Brier; this [Olympics] is the next step. We want this really bad," Jacobs told TSN.ca. "You etch your mark in history when you win the Brier, but I think you do that even moreso when you win an Olympic gold medal." Jeff Stoughton will play in front of a home crowd at the Trials. The 50-year-old Winnipegger is a three-time Brier champion and a two-time world champion. Edmontons Kevin Koe and his foursome is another talented rink looking to appear in the Olympic Games for the first time. The 38-year-old won the Brier and world championship in 2010. He also won the second Grand Slam event - the Canadian Open - earlier this season. Winnipegs Mike McEwen and Ontarios John Epping round out a strong field and hope to surprise at the Trials. 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