Minnesota Wild Coach: Mike Yeo

Being the head coach of any professional sports team is a lot of stress. Fans are calling for your job if there is even 1 hiccup. Sure Mike Yeo led the Minnesota Wild to the Stanley Cup Playoffs the last two seasons after a five-year absence, but there was a time during last season that his job was on a game to game basis and I have a feeling if the Wild don’t perform well this season, we will have a new Head Coach next season. There is a lot of talent on the Wild roster and coach Yeo needs to help that talent thrive in the NHL. Coach Mike Yeo knows what it feels like to win, lets hope this is the season that he brings the Stanley Cup to Minnesota!

 

Michael "Mike" Yeo

Born July 31, 1973

Scarborough, Ontario

His Wikipedia page is rather wimpy, I think he should have someone beef it up, but that is just the opinion of one Wild Freak!

Wild Coach Mike Yeo Recieves Contract Extension

And we couldn't be happier. The man deserves it after taking the team into the second round for just the second time in franchise history and posting a total record of 104-82-26 in his first three seasons at the helm.

Here is what Yeo had to say in a release posted on the Wild's website:

”I am very excited to continue to coach the Minnesota Wild and pursue a Stanley Cup for the State of Hockey,” said Yeo. “Our fan support has been amazing and it went to a new level during the playoffs this season. We are all motivated to reward them.”

Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher praised Yeo for the work he has put in over the past three seasons and also said in the release that the organization looks forward to Yeo's ongoing leadership as head coach.

Minnesota Wild #1

The Minnesota Wild are basking in the glory of first place! First year head coach Mike Yeo likes what he is seeing, I'm sure, because I know I am! The Wild went 3-2 on the previous road trip and have a 6 game homestand at the Xcel Energy Center starting tonight!

I can't wait to see what the Wild will do at home this week.

Marek Zidlicky Hasn't Played so Well

Marek Zidlicky has been given a great deal of time by Mike Yeo. Yeo met with the veteran defenseman and had a long talk on the ice during practice recently, as Yeo often does with players. Yeo downplayed the coversation as such - no big deal.

What do you think they talked about? Is Zidlicky on thin ice?

Josh Harding and Niklas Backstrom Outstanding

Mike Yeo is faced with a problem. A good one, which has been rare these past few Minnesota Wild seasons.

Both of the Minnesota Wild goalies are playing so well that either is worthy of a start in the net. So while Yeo's choice to start Josh Harding again over Niklas Backstrom in tonight's game against Vacouver was not made without hesitation, Yeo can be confident that Harding won't drop the puck.

So far this season the Wild are allowing 2.09 goals per game, which is the fourth best in the NHL. Backstrom has had a few substandard games out of the eight he has played in, but he's still the starter with an All-Star game under his belt, alongside a 144-94 record. Even with all that, Harding has managed to work his way under the radar and into the net.

With two goalies playing outstanding defense, I look for the Wild to pick up their win rate as we head deeper into the season.

Mike Yeo Joins Host of New Minnesota Coaches

With the exception of the Minnesota Twins, all of the major sports teams in Minnesota will be/are experiencing the transition that coincides with a new head coach.

The Vikings are 0-2 under new head coach Leslie Frazier. The Minnesota Timberwolves just hired Rick Adelman. And the Minnesota Wild... Mike Yeo. (Even the Gophers have a new boss)

Yeo has the reputation of holding a serious work ethic and pushing his players to have the same. Yeo has said this job with the Wild has been a long time coming, a story more than 20 years in the making. He started taking notes on coaching over two decades ago and has finally landed his goal position: an NHL head coach.

Yeo is looking to bring a strong defensive system to the Wild, applying tough pressure to the puck, forcing their opponents to think quickly - forcing errors. He recognizes there may be no quick fix for a team three years out of the playoffs, but is striving to bring glory back to the ice of Minnesota.

Startribune Interview with Mike Yeo

I was scanning the Startribune when I found this interview with new Wild head coach Mike Yeo about the state of the Minnesota Wild. It's really interesting because we don't know very much about Yeo just yet. A link to the interview is right here. Let me know what you think.

A Statement from Ryan Boogard Regarding Death of Derek Boogard

Here's a statement released by Ryan Boogard regarding the charges his little brother, Aaron faces, as a result of the death of their older brother, Derek, a former Wild.

Our family has been fairly mum on the recent arrest and subsequent charges laid against my younger brother, Aaron, so I would like to share a few words.

Although I cannot make specific comments as to proving or disproving the allegation's against Aaron while the matter is before the court, I can say that our family fully supports him and we are disappointed in both the Minneapolis Police Department and Hennepin County Prosecution Office in their decision to prosecute him.

Aaron had fully cooperated with their investigation and now, just over two months after losing his big brother and still grieving, he will have to endure very public legal proceedings.

Aaron has never sold prescribed and non prescribed painkillers, never bought prescribed and non prescribed painkillers and Aaron does not abuse prescribed and non prescribed painkillers. The prosecutions office did not disclose all the details surrounding the investigation but for me [to] go into more detail about this would go against my previous statement about not commenting to prove or disprove the allegations and Aaron gets his day in court so it can all come to fruition at that time.

In summary, there is more than what has been released to the media.

Aaron has never been arrested in the United States or Canada and, up until recent, Aaron has never been charged for any criminal offense.

As it is now widely known, Derek became addicted to pain killers after having shoulder surgery in 2009. This broke our family's hearts to watch as Derek battled the disease. After two failed attempts in rehab, this was a fight that Derek never got up from.

Aaron never condoned what Derek did and had actually gone to California to support Derek in his latest rehab attempt.

To insinuate that Aaron had anything remotely to do with Derek's death, as Prosecutor Mike Freeman alluded to, is just plain wrong but, again, I cannot comment specifics as it is before the court.

Our family is still grieving over the loss of Derek and this has affected nobody more than his summertime roommate, training partner, best friend and loving brother, Aaron.

Mike Yeo to Visit Niklas Backstrom and Mikko Koivu

General Manager Chuck Fletcher and new head coach Mike Yeo traveled to Finland so that Yeo could meet with captain Mikko Koivu and goalie Niklas Backstrom. Yeo felt it was necessary to go see them so that he could tell them what his plans were as the new head coach. He knows that these two guys have a huge influence in the locker room so I think it was a really good idea to go out and meet them and show them how much you believe in the guys. Hopefully those two buy in to his new system quickly so the Wild can get off to a fast start. This is what Yeo said to the Minneapolis Startribune about why it was so important to get to know Koivu on a personal level:

"It’s more personal," Yeo said. "But there are a number of things that I have to run past him. Some ideas that we have. I think it’s real important when you’re a coach that there are certain things when you come in you kind of say, ‘This is how it’s going to be.’ There’s also a number of things that you have to get the feedback of some of the guys, with their routines or whatever it is. So there’s a number of things I have to run past him, a number of things I want to prepare him for and let him know what he can expect. More importantly, it’s just a matter of getting there and starting to develop a relationship. I have high hopes and high expectations for Mikko. I’d like to start laying that groundwork right now."

Ex Gopher Sam Lofquist Hoping to get Signed by Wild

Lofquist played in Ontario last season for a minor league team. He played really well there and the Wild asked him to come down and try out for the team after his season. He can't go back to the Ontario Hockey League because he is 21 and you can't be older than that. Here's a scouting report on him from the Minneapolis Startribune that I found:

"This former University of Minnesota defenseman hasn't been in the OHL long, but has definitely been an impact player. He's been the Storm's most important and consistent defenseman the past 2 seasons and deserves a look at the next level. He has size at 6'2, 200 lbs, he's mobile, he can play in all situations and he can take the body if need be. Really a jack of all trades type of guy."

Well, he sounds pretty good to me so get him a jersey Wild and get this guy out on the ice.

Development Camp at the Xcel Energy Center

Yesterday the Minnesota Wild Development Camp took place at the Xcel Energy Center. The development camp is a camp where players who were drafted by the Wild a long time ago try out for the team and try to become NHL players. There was even a guy ther, Kyle Medvec, who graduated from Vermont this summer, is at his 6th development camp. He probably will never make the team, other wise he wouldn't be at the development camp. There are assistants for the Houston Aeros who are there running the drills while these players play.

The prospect camp is this Saturday and Sunday. That's when the real future members of th eWild will play and show off their skills.

Colton Gillies Should Be on the Wild Next Season

According to the Startribune, Colton Gillies signed this contract on Wednesday:

"The two-year, $1.25 million pact is a one-way contract, meaning he would have to be paid his $600,000 NHL salary in the minors if he were to play there next season."

Contracts like this typically mean he should be a member of the Minnesota Wild next season. Gillies played for the Houston Aeros last season and had a team leading 7 goals in the playoffs for the Aeros.

Gillies was great as a late season call up last year. Gillies played under new Wild coach Mike Yeo, which made this transition all the more probably for him.

He is a 6-4 208 pound forward is really fast and hard hitting. Part of the reason the Wild made him a first round pick in 2007. Hopefully he does a really nice job with the Wild next season and helps them in their quest to return to the playoffs.

Minnesota Wild Trade for Darroll Powe

The Minnesota Wild traded fro a physical forward in Darroll Powe over the weekend. The Wild traded a 2013 third round pick to get him. Powe was a fan favorite in Philadelphia because of his hitting and hard play. He is really fast and strong, although he is not very skilled.

The Wild really like the idea of having their back lines being filled with high energy guys such as Clutterpuck and Powe. Their aggressiveness and speed represents the types of players that the Wild are trying to add to their roster.

Powe isn't much of a scorer, but he was great at killing penalties. He led all Flyers in short handed minutes last season with 257 minutes. He really hasn't done much goal-scoring wise in his career, scoring only 22 goals in 203 career games.

Don't worry Wild fans, Powe understands his role:

"My role is to use my speed and be a physical presence. My game is mainly energy," said Powe, who has scored 22 goals and 43 points in 204 games. "I've definitely watched [Clutterbuck] play over the last few years. He's a guy who plays his role very well. He's a physical presence and someone to watch and someone who would be fun to play with."

Powe is also Scandinavian so he should fit in swimmingly in Minnesota.

Yo Yo Yo Mike Yeo is the New Wild Coach

What's up everyone?? The Minnesota Wild named Mike Yeo the new head coach of the Minnesota Wild. This should be really exciting. Yeo has absolutely zero head coaching experience and barely played in the NHL. Here are my thoughts on this.

Okay Wild. So you put me through a horrible, boring long season in which you collapse like LeBron James in the 4th quarter. You have no superstars and are a losing team, therefore there are little reasons for me to go out of my way to pay you to let me watch your lousy team. You decide to fire your coach, that's great. You decide to replace your coach that had little experience and failed because of it with a coach with even less experience!

I'm not rooting against Yeo, but lets be real here. The Wild needed something to energize their fan base and this didn't do it at all. The Timberwolves are catching all the headlines with their crazy antics and the Wild can't even hire a coach whose first and last name aren't even a combined 8 letters. At least hire some crazy European with a cool name to get me interested. This team better be real damn good or else...

That's all for today!