Wild say they will announce the new head coach on Friday, reports Yeo takes over

MINNEAPOLIS - The Minnesota Wild plan to introduce their new coach at a news conference Friday amid reports that Houston Aeros coach Mike Yeo will succeed the fired Todd Richards.

The Wild issued a press release Thursday afternoon saying general manager Chuck Fletcher will introduce the new coach but without identifying the hire.

Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM first reported that Yeo has been hired. Yeo led the Aeros, the Wild's American Hockey League affiliate, to the AHL finals this season.

Richards was fired in April after the Wild missed the playoffs each of his two seasons.