History of the Minnesota WildÂ
The Minnesota Wild is a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are a part of the Central Division in the NHL. The team was founded in 2000 and started playing in the National Hockey League (NHL) in the 2000-2001 season. Since then, the Wild has become a popular team among hockey fans, not just in Minnesota but also across the United States and around the world.
The Wild was established after the Minnesota North Stars, the state’s previous NHL team that moved to Dallas in 1993 to become the Dallas Stars. After their move, the Twin Cities area was without a major professional hockey team. That was until the NHL awarded the Wild an expansion franchise in 2000. The team was named the Wild after a public naming contest. In the end, this name beat out other popular names such as Blue Ox, Northern Lights, and Freeze.
Inaugural SeasonÂ
The Wild’s inaugural season was a success, as the team qualified for the playoffs and advanced to the Western Conference Finals. Finally, they were defeated by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Since then, the team has made the playoffs eight times, advancing to the Conference Semifinals twice. Meanwhile, they have never made it to the Stanley Cup Finals.
The Wild has had several notable players in its history, including Marian Gaborik, Mikko Koivu, Zach Parise, and Ryan Suter. Gaborik was the team’s first-ever draft pick and was a star player for the Wild in the early years. On the other hand, Koivu served as team captain for over a decade and is the franchise’s all-time leader in points. Parise and Suter signed with the Wild as free agents in 2012. Since then, they have since become integral parts of the team’s success.
In addition to its on-ice success, the Wild is also known for its commitment to the community. The team’s foundation, the Minnesota Wild Foundation, has donated millions of dollars to various charities. Some of these organizations include the Children’s Hospital and Clinics of Minnesota, the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the United Heroes League.
Overall, the Minnesota Wild has become an important part of the state’s sports culture. Overall, they represent the state’s passion for hockey and its dedication to excellence both on and off the ice. All in all, the Wild has a dedicated fan base and a strong commitment to success. In the end, the Wild is sure to continue making an impact in the NHL for years to come.
* All odds provided by Action247 Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.