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

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.

Wild players represent home countries at World Championships

Team Finland, with Mikko Koivu, celebrate a goal in 2010. Koivu will be captain of the team this year. (Photo from Creative Commons.)

It's not surprising that many of the Minnesota Wild players come from traditionally cold countries. What is surprising is that a grand total of six Wild players are returning this May to play in the World Championships in Helsinki and Stockholm. Wild center Mikko Koivu will be captaining Team Finland, last year's champions. Mikael Granlund, fellow Finnish-born center, will be joining him.


Last year's runner up, Team Sweden, who lost to Team Finland in the final round, also has two Wild players on the roster - defenseman Jonas Brodin and left wing Johan Larsson. Will this lead to the victory they almost achieved last year? Maybe.

Goalkeepers Matt Hackett and Dennis Endras will be playing for Team Canada and Team Germany. Endras was the first German to win the Most Valuable Player in 2010, will he bring his team to victory this year? We'll just have to see.

Be sure to show your support of the Wild players during the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship! Click here for a schedule.