Monday, December 17, 2012

Happy Holidays, Wild fans!

I hope I get what I want for the holiday season..... THE END OF THE LOCK OUT!



 

We hope the new year brings great things for the Wild!


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Calling All Minnesota Hockey Fans

Calling all Minnesota Hockey fans. Are you sick of all the NHL Labor talks and want to see some action? We are too! Let's hope for a resolution THIS WEEK so the Minnesota Wild can get back to the Xcel Energy Center ice where they belong and we can get back to cheering them on. 





Thursday, December 6, 2012

Thoughts and Prayers are with Josh Harding


Our thoughts and prayers are with Josh Harding and his family following the news that he has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis is a autoimmune disease where the symptoms include muscle spasms and weakness, disorientation and vision problems. 

Harding had just signed a three-year $5.7 million deal in June with the Wild. He and his fiance are expecting their first child soon. 

But Josh Harding is staying strong and knows that the disease won't get him done. Stay strong, Josh! You've got the whole state behind you full of support!  




Thursday, November 29, 2012

NHL Lockout is Ridiculous

This is Day 75 of the NHL Lockout. How ridiculous for everyone involved.


The NHL has now canceled 422 regular-season games, lost the Winter Classic in Ann Arbor, Mich., and the All-Star weekend in Columbus. What a waste of time, money, and hockey fun!

I am wondering how it's nearly Dec. 1 and the NHL is still locked out when the fight shouldn't be this tough.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

NHL Lockout Update


Now into its 10th week, the lockout has already forced the cancellation of all regular-season games through Nov. 30—and the league is expected to wipe more from the schedule in the coming days. The sides considered taking a break from negotiations last week, but the NHLPA urged the league to continue meeting.

"It's hard for me to see how you make an agreement if you aren't talking and so you talk," said NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr. "Sometimes it doesn't lead anywhere, perhaps very often it doesn't lead anywhere, but if you aren't talking it's 100 percent sure it doesn't lead anywhere." 

WE WANT HOCKEY!


Sunday, November 18, 2012

Glimmer of Hope on the NHL Lockout

GLIMMER OF HOPE: 

All was quiet on the NHL labor on front Sunday, one day before the league and the players’ association planned to return to the bargaining table for the first time in eight days. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said Saturday that this new round of negotiations was initiated by the players’ association, just days after Commissioner Gary Bettman suggested to union executive director Donald Fehr that the sides take two weeks off from talks. “We can confirm that we have tentatively agreed to get back together on Monday,” Daly said. “The meeting was requested by the union, and it’s their agenda. We will see what they have to tell us.”

#shutupgary #wewanthockey




 

Thursday, November 8, 2012

NHL Lockout: Day 54


NHLLockout
 UGHHHH.

We're 54 days in, and the games-missed tracker remains at 326 plus the Winter Classic (that game doesn't get added to the total because it could still be played -- it would just be played at Joe Louis Arena as a regular game instead of an outdoor celebration.) I'm depressed, anyone else?

•Games have been canceled, and your favorite players are overseas, but you can still see how your team would be doing. PredictionMachine.com uses its play-by-play technology to simulate each game from the original schedule and predict the outcomes. Just because the NHL isn't playing on the ice doesn't mean we can't play the games. Check Prediction Machine out here!






Sunday, November 4, 2012

NHL Lockout Update: There's still hockey at the University of Minnesota

Everyone is getting sick of this NHL Lockout, what will Minnesotans do without hockey?

We know that there's still hockey at the University of Minnesota, check out this website to get some Gopher updates!





 

Thursday, October 25, 2012

MN Wild Twitter Account

Hey all you fans!

Remember that I got a Twitter Account a few weeks ago? I need more followers, so everyone go follow me now!






Minnesota Wild Tickets

MN Wild fans! I know we are all still crying about the NHL Lockout, but check out this website for great deals on tickets when the lockout gets fully resolved!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Minnesota Wild Lockout Updates and Tickets

Wild fans- The Lockout is still going on..... but when the NHL finally comes around, you are going to need your tickets! I found these great tickets so check them out here!


Thursday, October 4, 2012

NHL Lockout 2012- Minnesota Wild


More bad news fans- The National Hockey League canceled two weeks of the regular season Thursday, the second time games have been lost because of a lockout in seven years.


The announcement was made in a two-paragraph statement from the NHL. It isn't clear if those games will be made up, allowing for a complete 82-game regular season, if a deal can be struck soon with the locked out players.

They are unable to work out how to split up $3 billion (really? That's like nothing, comparatively) in hockey-related revenues with the players' association, the NHL wiped out 82 games from Oct. 11 through Oct. 24 — beginning with four next Thursday, which would have been the league's opening night.

Although there have been negotiations between the league and players in recent days, unlike the 2004-05 lockout that forced the cancellation of the entire season, the two sides haven't gotten any closer to a deal on core economic issues.


This is slightly embarrassing for everyone involved. Hockey should be about the game, not the money. We'll keep you posted. 


FILE - In this May 15, 2012, file photo, ice covered hockey pucks are shown at the New Jersey Devils practice rink in Newark, N.J. The NHL said Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012, that it has canceled the hockey season through Oct. 24, a total of 82 games, because of the ongoing lockout. The NHL and the players' union are unable to decide how to divide $3 billion in hockey-related revenues. There have been negotiations in recent days, but the sides have not gotten any closer to an agreement on core economic issues. Photo: AP / AP

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

HOCKEY LOCKOUT UPDATE


Minnesota hockey fans- here is an update on the NHL lockout. All preseason games have been canceled. We are keeping our fingers crossed for a quick resolution. 

We understand better than anyone that the State of Hockey NEEDS hockey, so we'll keep you updated on any new NHL lockout information, especially concerning Minnesota.  

Did you hear? I got a Twitter!

My blog, MN Wild Freak, got a twitter to go along with all the fun of the social networking websites.

Even with the NHL Lockout, I am remaining optimistic that the State of Hockey will persist.

So follow me on Twitter, I'm extra witty, I promise!






Thursday, September 20, 2012

MN Wild Freak is now on Twitter!

Hey all you loyal readers!

I just wanted to thank you all so much for putting up with me and reading my blog!

It means so much that people, like you, care so much about the MN Wild!


So, to add one more step to my Wild passion, I got a twitter account!

Go and be one of my new followers, ASAP!


https://twitter.com/MN_Wild_Freak



NHL Lockout's and the MN Wild

Bad news guys..... I found this information on the Wild NHL website and then promptly started crying.



"The Minnesota Wild had four preseason games scheduled in the month of September, including two home games at Xcel Energy Center. The cancellation of the schedule was necessary because of the absence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NHL Players’ Association and the NHL.

The club’s three remaining preseason games are still scheduled: Oct. 2 versus Winnipeg; Oct. 4 at Winnipeg; and Oct. 6 at Calgary.

Minnesota was scheduled to play two home-and-home series against Western Conference opponents in September. The Wild were scheduled to play its first preseason game in the state of Idaho, against the Stars on Tuesday Sept. 25 at CenturyLink Arena in Boise. The rest of the Wild's cancelled games include a home match versus Dallas on Sept. 26, at home against the St. Louis Blues and at St. Louis on Sept. 29."



Go MN Sports!


As I said in some of my previous posts, I'm not just a MN Wild fan. I love the MN Twins, Gophers, the Vikings, and the Timberwolves. 

I also blog about all my favorite Minnesota sports teams.

Give them all a try! 

For the Twins, click here.

For the Gophers, click here.

For the Timberwolves, click here.

For the Vikings, click here.


Have anything you want me to blog about? Any ideas, comments, questions, or concerns? Let me know! I love to hear from my readers!





Saturday, September 8, 2012

Preseason: Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars

Hey readers!

Who is getting excited for hockey season?! Do you have all your preseason MN Wild hockey tickets? I found a great website that is selling tickets for $14!!! Check it out here and make sure you get your MN Wild tickets before they run out!


Thursday, August 30, 2012

MN Wild Webisodes

Hey MN Wild fans!

Have you checked out this link yet? It's to the Wild webisodes! Super creative, random, fun videos that star Wild players. Don't even hesitate to check it out!






Need to see the rooster? Check it out here!

Go Wild!

MN Wild 2012 Season: Suter and Parise

It's seriously embarrassing how excited I am for puck season. I am such a sports fan; baseball, basketball, football, but can we be real for a second?

Hockey is so amazing. I grew up on a lake, my Dad played hockey for Cretin in high school, and I live in Minnesota. I feel like I was forced to like hockey, but not actually, because how could you not?

I could basically skate by the I learned to walk, and started playing in our community teams and the high school team by 4th grade and never stopped until I made it into college. Sorry, but D1 hockey is a little too competitive for me.

So.... probably it's fine that I'm excited about this?! Especially with Suter and Parise. Who's with me? Hockey fans, let's go.


Thursday, August 23, 2012

Dany Heatley Sues Former Agent and Others For $11-Million


Our favorite Wild Player, Dany Heatley has filed an $11 million dollar lawsuit in an Alberta court.

According to the Globe and Mail:

Heatley, a left winger with the Minnesota Wild, alleges that his former agent and business adviser, Stacey McAlpine, as well as McAlpine’s parents, Gerald and Eugenia, lured him into several real-estate ventures across Canada and the United States with promises of huge returns that never materialized. The lawsuit, filed last week in the Court of Queen’s Bench in Calgary, also alleges that Heatley’s former agent dipped into his bank accounts and made unauthorized withdrawals of more than $4-million.

The 20-page statement of claim alleges conspiracy, oppression, breach of fiduciary obligation and unjust enrichment by the McAlpine family, which Heatley accuses of using multiple corporate entities “as a sham, cloak or alter ego, in order to shield themselves from personal liability.”

The defendant companies named in court documents are Presidential Suites Inc., Waterfront Development Inc., McAlpine Sports Management Inc. and NSEM Management Inc. They are no longer operating in Calgary. Attempts to reach the principals – the McAlpine family, who now reside in Winnipeg and Kenora, Ont. – were unsuccessful. Stacey McAlpine is no longer on the list of certified agents with the National Hockey League Players’ Association.

Yikes! We'll keep you updated with all the newest details!

Dany Heatley Sues Former Agent and Others For $11-Million

MN Wild CHEAP Early Bird Tickets

Hey Wild Fans!

Does anyone still not have pre-season tickets to see the Wild dominate at the Xcel Energy Center? I just found these great tickets, starting at just $14. Check it out here!


Don't you dare miss these two cuties hit the ice at the end of September!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Meet Zach Parise at Rosedale Best Buy!


What is better than getting to meet famous people? Nothin. 

Our newest, favorite Wild player, Zach Parise, is scheduled to appear at the Best Buy in Roseville at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, August 19. (1643 County Road B2, Roseville, MN 55113)

Do NOT miss this chance of a lifetime!

Have your picture taken with Zach Parise, no autographs, but that's okay, a picture says a thousand words!

Here's the lowdown: First 400 fans to collect a wristband will get their chance to have his or her picture taken with Zach. Wristbands will be distributed for celebrity appearances 2 hours prior (noon) to the start time on a first come first serve basis, one wristband per person. The event is free and open to the public

I would TOTALLY take advantage of this great opportunity, but I'm going up to my cabin for the weekend. You all better get out to Roseville and meet the man who is going to lead the Wild to the Stanley Cup!


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

#isitoctoberyet

#isitoctoberyet is a trending topic on twitter......... Anyone know what it means?

HOCKEY SEASON!!!!

58 days and counting.

Check out this link if you want to keep updated on a day to day basis!









GO WILD! 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Crazy MN Wild Fans!

I found an interesting article when I was digging around online for some MN Wild gossip for my readers. With the headline, Woman Allegedly Steals MN Wild Tickets from Work and Sells Them on Craigslist, I knew this was going to be a good read.

Apparently, a 29-year-old employee of Culligan Water, based in Minnetonka, Maggie Brynn Hoeg,  is being charged with selling the company's Minnesota Wild tickets for her own benefit on her work computer. She sold $5,000 worth of tickets!

Back in February, the Minnetonka Police were informed that 92 Minnesota Wild tickets, which were $88 each, had been stolen and sold from Culligan, allegedly by Hoeg.

Before she was questioned, Hoeg quit by e-mail and left her job.

When the Minnesota Wild office was contacted, they had the 92 tickets cancelled and reissued. However, a man who had purchased some of the tickets through Craigslist said he had bought the tickets from Hoeg and attended several games. When he informed Hoeg that the tickets had been cancelled, she allegedly said her father had lost some of them. She said she would replace them when after she was reissued tickets from the Wild but never did. Hoeg allegedly paid the man back $250 to date.

Oh, the things people do for a quick buck!


Mike Modano and Willa Ford Divorced!

Time of transition: Their split comes just a year after Mike hung up his blades following a wildly successful NHL careerLook at this couple. Pure beauty, right? Well, former Minnesota North Stars player, Mike Modano and TV personality, Willa Ford announced their divorce on Wednesday, August 8th.


In a joint statement to People, a representative of the couple said: "It is with great sadness that after five years of marriage, Willa and Mike have decided to divorce. They remain friends and wish each other success and happiness."


Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Preseason Wild

Everyone's been talking about the Wild signing Zach Parise and Ryan Suter; it's a big deal. The Wild have proven to have a rather large, loyal fan base, but because they have virtually no playoff experience, they've never been the hottest team around. With a 20-17-4 home record last year, we really need some excitement this season!







I'm getting super pumped for the preseason games, already starting at the end of September!

I just bought my cheap tickets on this website, check it out!

Big Day for Birthdays!

MN Wild fans, it's a big day for birthdays! 

Two prospects Matt Dumba, turning 18 (finally legal, ladies) and Johan Larsson, turning 20. Who knows what they'll wish for on their special day, they already have signed the 2012 1st Round Draft Pick to a entry level contract. What more could they want?!

Happy birthday boys, enjoy your special days!



Thursday, July 19, 2012

Wait.... Mike Modano?

So last September,  Mike Modano, one of our greatest and favorite American hockey players, announced his retirement. He even signed a one-day deal with the Dallas Stars so that he could retire a Star. Nice. 


However, LOOK AT THIS TWEET HE MADE AFTER WE SIGNED PARISE AND SUTER! "Can I come back and play in Minnesota too..? ‪#northstars‬" Why yes, yes you can. 


At first, people thought Modano was just playing around. But, in reaction to all the buzz and excitement, Modano told the Dallas Morning News that "You look at things and you wonder what's the worst thing that could happen? I mean, I get in better shape. I don't know what's going to happen with the CBA and everything, but I mean, one more year? That kind of intrigues me." 


I mean, yeah, we'll take ya!


We'll keep you updated on this interesting speculation!


Hi-res-98337307_crop_exact

Matt Dumba signed for the MN Wild!

It's a big day, MN Wild fans! This morning we signed defense man Matt Dumba as first round draft pick. He is 17. What?!! Is that even allowed?! Okay, granted, he turns 18 in six days, but still. What a baby! He will be the youngest player under contract with the Wild, and if things don't work out, he can return to his junior team, the Red Deer Rebels. The Wild can see him becoming a puck-moving defenceman, a decent asset to the team!


Matthew Dumba, center, smiles with officials from the Minnesota Wild after being chosen seventh overall in the first round of the NHL hockey draft on Friday, June 22, 2012, in Pittsburgh. The Minnesota Wild have signed teenager and first-round draft pick Mathew Dumba.The Wild announced Thursday the signing of 17-year-old Dumba, who was the seventh overall draft pick. He recently participated in the Wild's prospect camp after serving as a captain for Canada in the Under-18 world championships. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Keith Srakocic
He honestly looks like my 15 year old brother.

Monday, July 9, 2012

Parise, Suter Sign with Minnesota Wild

The Minnesota Wild secured both of the NHL's top prizes in free agency, signing forward Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter on July 4th!

Each deal is for 13 years and $98 million.

Both Parise and Suter were seen as the top free agents in a very thin free agent market. Parise is a former New Jersey Devils playmaker. Suter comes to Minnesota as half of the duo with Shea Weber on the Nashville blue line.

Parise, who is 27, scored 31 goals and 69 points last season in his first year as the Devils' captain. Parise attributed a lot to the team making the Stanley Cup finals.

Suter, also 27, was the top defenseman available to teams this summer. Suter spent all seven of his NHL seasons with the Predators where he featured career high in points in 2011-12, with seven goals and 39 assists.

If you are interested in buying NHL Minnesota Wild hockey tickets, do not wait! When the Minnesota Wild announced "WE GOT 'EM!" tickets started flying out the door.

Monday, July 2, 2012

Zach Parise and Ryan Suter Potential Wild Players

The Wild ended the first day of free agency having signed either of the two franchise players they're chasing.

The Wild appear to be one of three finalists for New Jersey Devils forward Zach Parise and Nashville Predators defenseman Ryan Suter.

The Wild announced that they had offered contracts to both players, who are expected to announce their today (7/2).

Thursday, June 28, 2012

Guillaume Latendresse to Test Free Agency


It appears the Minnesota Wild won't have Guillaume Latendresse returning for the 2012-13 season.

After trying to sign Latendresse to a new contract, the forward said he is planning on testing the waters of free agency. Latendresse is seeking a team closer to his home in Montreal so he can spend more time with his four year old son, Hayden.

Monday, June 18, 2012

Minnesota Wild Announce Preseason Schedule

The Minnesota Wild announced their preseason schedule. Oolala! I can't wait to join Nordy and the gain at the Xcel Energy Center! Take a peak at the preseason schedule and plan ahead.

Tuesday, Sept. 25 at Dallas Stars CenturyLink Arena 8:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 26 Dallas Stars Xcel Energy Center 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 27 St. Louis Blues Xcel Energy Center 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 29 at St. Louis Blues Scottrade Center 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 2 Winnipeg Jets Xcel Energy Center 7:00 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 4 at Winnipeg Jets MTS Centre 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 6 at Calgary Flames Scotiabank Saddledome 8:00 p.m.


Monday, June 11, 2012

Xcel Energy Center Photos

I recently went around Minneapolis, St. Paul and a few of the surrounding suburbs to take photos of all the great venues! I took pictures of 24 total venues.

Enjoy these Xcel Energy Center photos.







Thursday, June 7, 2012

The Minnesota Wild NHL Team


The The Minnesota Wild are the NHL team for the state of Minnesota. The Minnesota Wild play their home games at Xcel Energy Center St. Paul, Minnesota.

The NHL Wild is part of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League. The Minnesota Wild history began in 1997 when the National Hockey League announced that Minnesota had been awarded an expansion franchise to begin play in the 2000-2001 NHL season.

The six final team names for the new Minnesota NHL franchise were: Minnesota Blue Ox, Minnesota Freeze, Minnesota Northern Lights, Minnesota Voyageurs, Minnesota White Bears and Minnesota Wild. The Minnesota Wild name was officially chosen the following year along with the Minnesota Wild team colors of red, white, green and gold.

The Minnesota Wild logo is a bear head made to look like the Minnesota wilderness, complete with Minnesota pine trees and a meandering Minnesota River. The Minnesota Wild home jersey uses the primary Wild logo within a circle with the words Minnesota Wild in the circle, on a jersey primarily of red.

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Minnesota Wild Defend the Blue Line in a charity game

Matt Cullen wears a camouflage jersey before the Defending the Blue Line game in February 2011

Can't wait for the 2012-2013 season to start? Luckily, two of the Minnesota Wild players will be playing in another Defending the Blue Line charity game. On June 20th, Josh Harding and Nate Prosser will be playing at the Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. Not only will fellow NHL players be playing, but Gigi Marvin, the star female hockey player, is scheduled to play as well.

Last year several Wild players participated in a Defending the Blue Line charity game in February, so it's a nice surprise that there will be another charity game. (And another game with Wild players)

Defending the Blue Line is a Minnesota-based charity for soldier's children to have the opportunity to play hockey and is endorsed by several teams in the NHL.


Tuesday, May 29, 2012

"Koivu's Exploding Shoulder Set Up" named Wild Play of the Year

Mikko Koivu Mikko Koivu #9 of the Minnesota Wild carries the puck past Jiri Hudler #26 of the Detroit Red Wings with ice during their NHL game at Joe Louis Arena February 12, 2009 in Detroit, Michigan.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mikko Koivu;Jiri Hudler



Throughout the season, wild.com hosted a huge poll for the Top Play of the Year by the Minnesota Wild. After 27 weeks, "Koivu's Exploding Shoulder Set Up" won the title Play of the Year. In a game against Detroit Red Wings on November 1, the Minnesota Wild made an impressive overtime goal, and, although Devin Setoguchi made the final goal, it was Mikko Koivu's use of the "exploding shoulder" against the intimidating Niklas Kronwall that made this the Play of the Year.

Koivu's been doing well in the post-season, it's going to be an exciting season next year.

Can't remember the play? Click here. How did this play win? Click here.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Everyone's excited for Mikael Granlund



After Mikael Granlund's signing on Wednesday, everyone breathed a sigh of relief before getting really, really excited. In his native Finland, Granlund is a celebrity, even appearing on a postage stamp, and it's expected that he'll continue to impress with the Minnesota Wild (No word yet on if we can expect a postage stamp). Even more impressive, we can expect Samuel Savolainen, a writer for one of Finland's most popular sports magazine, to continue writing on Granlund - after all, he's moving to Minnesota for Granlund. Expectations are high and the hopes even higher, and we'll see how Granlund compares.

The Minnesota Wild can certainly expect great things from Granlund, but we're wondering, what are you expecting from Granlund?

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Mikael Granlund to (finally!) play with the Wild next season

Mikael Granlund during his time with the HIFK in Finland
Time to stop holding our breaths, Mikael Granlund will finally be signing with the Minnesota Wild sometime this month. He fulfilled his obligations in Finland, the last being the world championship that ended Sunday, and will be signing soon.

It's been a long two years since Granlund was chosen in the 2010 NHL draft, but it will hopefully be well worth the wait. The Wild has apparently signed him to a three year, $2.7 million contract and Wild fans will finally get to cheer for him next season. He, along with the drafts next month, should be turning around the whole team and I will definitely be watching out for it!