Wild's Ryan Suter diagnosed with mumps

Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter is the latest NHL player to catch the mumps.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter has the mumps, coach Mike Yeo announced on Thursday. 

Suter is the latest in a string of NHL players to contract the illness, which is a viral infection that causes swelling in the salivary glands. 

Last month, Anaheim Ducks players Corey Perry and Francois Beauchemin both were diagnosed with the mumps, followed by Wild defensemen Jonas Brodin and Marco Scandella. The Ducks' Clayton Stoner also had a possible-mumps case, and last week, Rangers winger Tanner Glass was diagnosed.

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Yeo said he's not ready to rule out Suter for Friday's game against Anaheim. "It affects people differently," the coach said. 

Suter already missed Wednesday's game because of the illness. Brodin missed two weeks when he had the mumps, while Perry sat out five games. 

Suter has one goal and 12 assists in 23 games this season. 

- Molly Geary