World Championships

There were 16 teams who fought it out, gloves on…for the most part, for the World Championship title. From Norway, to Russia and even Belarus were in it to win it. Since the kickoff on April 24th, the United States had participated in eight games only winning three. I went into this tournament with high hopes stemming from these past winter Olympics, but was sorely let down. Last year we captured 5th place in the world ranking. Russia took the gold this year after taking on Canada this past Saturday in Switzerland. They only took it by one point, but they took it none the less.

10 year Anniversary of the Wild

This past Saturday, May 1, marked the tenth anniversary for the Minnesota Wild. To commemorate to huge occasion, the team unveiled a new mark for their jerseys that they will wear this next season (2010-11). The patch will be worn on the jersey for ever game, except for when they play in Finland which will then replace it with an NHL Premiere patch. The patch is designed as two hockey sticks in the shape of an "X" to represent their ten years in the NHL. I am so pumped for the next season to begin. With three new players now on the team (Cody Almond, Nate Prosser and Casey Wellman), they have a bright future ahead of them and I'm pretty confident there won't be a repeat of last season.

Koivu out for Surgery

Mikko Koivu will be out all summer due to an arthroscopic surgery he is set to have soon on his shoulder and knee. Koivu will be having the surgery in Finland to be near his family while on rehab. The total length of the rehabilitation is set to be about 15 weeks for his shoulder and about a month for his knee. Mikko Koivu is a key player for the Minnesota Wild so we really need him to be ready to go for next season. Get better soon Mikko! Go Wild!

Antti Miettinen goes to World Championships

The World Championships are being held in Germany next month and Wild player Antti Miettinen will be representing his home country of Finland. Miettinen will be the second Wiild player to play in the World Championships tournament, with Brent Burns playing for Team Canada. Antti Miettinen also played for Finland in the Olympics, where he scored before finally being beaten by the United States hockey team.

Bouchard ready to get back with the Wild

Pierre-Marc Bouchard has had a rough couple of seasons since he suffered a concussion in the 2008-09 season with the Wild. That season, Bouchard was forced to sit out the last eight games and his injury carried on to this past season where he missed out on a total of 81 games. The effects to his body, from the concussion, have been never ending for Bouchard and have kept him from even exercising. Bouchard is ready to get back on the ice as soon as possible. It is going to be quite a challenge to recover, not only from this injury, but from missing out on an entire season’s worth of practice and games with his team. Bouchard is hoping to work hard this summer to get back to his original, if not improved, state.

Constantine leaving the Aeros

It was announced yesterday that Head Coach Kevin Constantine will not be returning for another season with the Houston Aeros. Kevin Constantine was responsible for leading the Houston Aeros to two playoffs during his stint with the team, and had a record of 117-94-11 overall. GM Jim Mill of the Houston Aeros states they were sad to see him leave after three seasons with the team, but wish him only the best. The search for a eighth coach of the team for the 2010-11 AHL season is underway.

Koivu captures Minnesalsa title

Wild Captain Mikko Koivu was deemed the Minnesalsa Player of the Week after making three points over the three games last week, including two against the Dallas Stars on Sunday. Over this past Wild season, Koivu had 22 goals and 49 assists. This was Mikko Koivu’s first win of the Minnesalsa title this season, while Guillaume Latendresse has captured four and Andrew Brunette has three.

Latendresse up for the Masterton Trophy

Guillaume Latendresse has been nominated for the NHL Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for his outstanding performance this season with the Wild. The Masterton Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the person who best shows the qualities of sportsmanship, determination and commitment to the sport of hockey. Latendresse is the type of player who never gives up, which has catapulted him to new career highs in every offensive category this season even after being traded by the Montreal Cadaniens to the MN Wild. The trophy will be decided by a poll at the end of the regular season. Last year, the Masterton Memorial Trophy went to a Nashville Predator.

Todd Richards and his future with the Wild

As the second head coach in the 10 years of the Wild franchise, Todd Richards is a little disappointed with the outcome of his first year. However, Richards sees a bright future with the Wild. Rebuilding a team is a tough job and if the General Manager Chuck Fletcher can scrounge up another top scorer the Wild may have a shot at greatness next season. Don't mention next year to Todd Richards yet though. He needs to get through tomorrow and Saturday's game first. Go Wild!

Minnesota Wild Last Home Game

There is still one more chance to see the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center this season - Saturday April 10th.

The Minnesota Wild will face off against the Dallas Stars on Saturday April 10th at 7pm - the game is bittersweet as the Minnesota Wild will NOT be in the NHL Playoffs this year so this will be the last game at the X. The Wild promotions department is trying to sweeten the game experience though by calling it fan celebration night and offering up autographed Wild jerseys, pucks, sticks and more. It should be a fun night and there are still tickets available from ticket brokers like Ticket King. Besides it could be Mike Modano's last game, it would be kind of cool to own a ticket stub from Modano's first game and his last game. . . both taking place in Minnesota.

The man behind the Minnesota Wild

As the former owner of the Nashville Predators of the NHL, Craig Leipold is now the majority owner of the Minnesota Wild hockey team. Leipold has been a majority owner since January 10, 2008.

Besides owning a multi-million dollar organization, Craig Leipold actively participates in the community organizations and charity benefits for children. Craig Leipold has been recognized for his involvement, including the title of Nashville Sports Council "Sports Person of the Year," "Nashvillian of the year" by the Easter Seals and the "1999 Father of the Year" by the Nashville Father's Day Council.

Craig Leipold currently lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota with his wife and five children and attends many Minnesota Wild games - look for him on the Suite level or wandering around on the lower level, too!

With Koivu out, Almond is in vs. Detroit

Mikko Koivu will be missing out on tonight’s game against the Detroit Red Wings with an arm injury. This is a result from Tuesday’s game against San Jose, which caused him to miss Thursday’s game against the Flyers as well. Thursday was the first game ever for Captain Koivu to miss, and he is not happy to miss a second. Mikko Koivu is currently the lead scorer on the Wild and, with Latendresse questionable in the health department, the Wild have recalled Cody Almond from the Houston Aeros for some help.