Northwest Division Champions (2009-10)
The State of Hockey's pride.
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wild compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Central Division in the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at the Xcel Energy Center, and is owned by Craig Leipold. The Wild are affiliated with the Iowa Wild of the American Hockey League (AHL) and the Jacksonville Icemen of the ECHL.
Quick Facts
- Coach
- Todd Richards
- Playoff result
- Did not qualify
Lore & Background
The Wild were founded on June 25, 1997, and began play in the 2000–01 season. The team was founded following the departure of the Minnesota North Stars, who were based in Minnesota from 1967 to 1993, when they relocated to Dallas, Texas, and became the Dallas Stars. The Wild made their first Stanley Cup playoffs appearance in 2003, making a surprise run to the Western Conference finals, but ultimately losing to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. The team have appeared in the playoffs a total of 14 times, and have won one division championship, in 2008.
Reader's Guide
The Wild named Jacques Lemaire their first head coach and the team picked Marian Gaborik third overall in the first round of the 2000 NHL entry draft. The Wild won the Northwest Division in 2007-08. The team's home arena is the Xcel Energy Center.
Did You Know?
- The Wild were officially named on January 22, 1998, with the song 'Born to Be Wild' by Steppenwolf playing.
- The Wild retired the number 1 jersey to honor all Minnesota fans.
- The Wild became the first team in playoff history to capture two seven-game series after facing elimination in game 5.
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