Riley Heidt has an opportunity, and a problem.

A second-round draft pick, the winger has three excellent major junior seasons under his belt and for all intents and purposes is ready to go pro after racking up 37 goals and 117 points in 66 games with Prince George in the rugged WHL.

The problem for Heidt is that because he’s 19 years old, the NHL’s agreement with the major junior CHL forbids the Wild from sending him to Iowa in the American Hockey League.

“Obviously, I’m aware of the situation,” Heidt said Thursday at the team’s prospects camp at TRIA Rink.

The Wild begin training camp next Thursday with their NHL roster essentially set. They have seven defensemen returning — including captain Jared Spurgeon, who missed almost all of last season with hip and back injuries — and three goalies and, after signing center Yakov Trenin from Nashville and trading for Boston’s Jakub Lauko, 12 forwards.

So, while Wild general manager Bill Guerin has made it clear that a standout camp can earn a player an NHL slot, there technically isn’t a Top 12 slot open, which means Heidt — or any of the other prospects who will arrive at TRIA Rink next week — will have to literally demand a starting role with their play. Otherwise, they will be better off playing at Iowa or, in the case of Heidt and several others, juniors.

NHL rosters must be set Oct. 7. Heidt can make the team out of camp and stay with the team for 10 games, but after that the Wild would have to keep him on the roster or send him back to Prince George. That’s not exactly a terrible fate for a 19-year-old, but it’s not the goal.

“(Playing hockey) is always fun, no matter where you’re playing,” Heidt said. “But, no, my main goal right now is playing for Minnesota. That’s my mindset until they send me back. I’m just going to give it all I can.”

For Heidt and 26 others, that began at developmental camp in July and continues this week at the fourth annual Tom Kurvers Prospects Showcase this weekend in suburban St. Louis. After three days of camp, the players were scheduled to arrive there for games against Chicago Blackhawks prospects on Saturday, and one against Blues prospects on Sunday.

“I think a lot of the guys, we come in here, playing for an NHL organization, and we’re looking to make that team,” said Hunter Haight, a 2022 draft pick who won a CHL championship with Saginaw this spring. “That’s in the back of your mind, and that’s what you’re pushing for.”

Heidt and Haight are probably the youngest of the forwards most ready to play in the NHL that were in St. Paul this week and will be back for camp. Haight, 20, had 25 goals among 67 points in 68 regular-season games, then went 9-4—13 in 17 playoff games as Saginaw beat New London in seven games to win the Memorial Cup.

For Haight, it was a perfect way to say goodbye to the CHL. He’ll start his pro career this fall, in Minnesota or Iowa.

“That’s the plan,” he said.

Heidt is missing that most achievable goal because he can’t go to Iowa. He’s not alone, of course. The Wild’s top draft pick in June, defenseman Zeev Buium, is headed back to the University of Denver this fall, and second-round pick Ryder Ritchie, 18, will be headed to Medicine Hat of the WHL after being traded from Prince Albert this spring.

The reality is, the best the prospects can do in camp is catch the right eyes so that when an injury requires a call-up from Des Moines, their names are among the first that spring to mind. That’s how most players start NHL careers.

“The way I think about it, it’s persistence,” Haight said. “Not all goals are gonna be accomplished in one day. It’s a journey, and staying consistent and persistent in pursuit of excellence, that’s what’s gonna get you there.”

For Heidt, the path is razor thin, but he is undeterred.

“They know me as a player, and I believe I’ve improved a lot,” he said. “I feel really good about my whole game; I think I’ve made them aware of that. But I just have to keep working hard to improve my game and take it day by day at the main camp and see what happens.”