Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They compete in the National Hockey LeagueNHLThe National Hockey League (NHL) is a men’s professional ice hockey league with clubs in the United States and Canada. Founded in Montreal in 1917, it comprises 32 teams and awards the Stanley Cup to its playoff champion.Open the full entry (NHL) and play at Grand Casino Arena.
Contents13 sections
Key facts
1997Expansion franchise awarded
Minnesota received an NHL expansion franchise on June 25, 1997.[1]
1998The Wild name
The team announced the Wild name in January 1998. Chief executive Jac Sperling linked the identity to Minnesota’s wilderness and the enthusiasm of its fans.[2]
2000First NHL season
The Wild debuted on October 6, 2000, losing 3–1 at Anaheim. Their first home game, against Philadelphia on October 11, ended 3–3.[3]
2003Western Conference Final
In their first playoffs in 2003, the Wild eliminated Colorado and Vancouver to reach the Western Conference Final.[3]
2008Craig Leipold takes ownership
Craig Leipold completed his purchase on April 10, 2008, becoming the majority owner. Bob Naegele remained a minority investor, and the NHL Board of Governors unanimously approved the transaction.[4]
2012Parise and Suter sign
The Wild signed Zach Parise and Ryan Suter in July 2012. Parise, a Minnesota native, had just reached the Stanley Cup Final with the New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) and play at Prudential Center.Open the full entry.[5]
2021Two veteran contracts bought out
In 2021, the Wild bought out Parise and Suter.[6]
2025Arena renamed
The former Xcel Energy Center became Grand Casino Arena on September 3, 2025, under a 14-year naming agreement.[7]
2025Quinn Hughes acquired
In December 2025, the Wild acquired Quinn Hughes.[8]
2026Return to the second round
In the 2026 playoffs, Minnesota defeated Dallas 4–2 before losing 4–1 to Colorado.[3]
Arena and crest
The team’s Saint Paul arena opened on September 29, 2000. It hosts Wild games as well as concerts and other sporting events.[7]
The crest combines an animal silhouette with the north star, evergreen trees and a stream.[3]
Related Organizations, Websites, and Public Accounts
Minnesota Wild: Official website: https://www.nhl.com/wild (opens in a new window)[9]
Minnesota Wild: X: https://twitter.com/mnwild (opens in a new window)[9]
Minnesota Wild: YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is Google’s video-sharing and creator platform, founded in 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim and acquired by Google in 2006. Built around video uploading, viewing, and creator earnings, the platform has developed Shorts, YouTube Music, Premium, YouTube TV, and products for children, and is headquartered in San Bruno, California, United States.Open the full entry: https://www.youtube.com/@mnwild (opens in a new window)[9]
Sources
- Minnesota Wild mourns loss of former Chairman Robert O. Naegele, Jr. (opens in a new window)
- MN Expansion Team Hopes Fans Ready for Walk on the Wild Side (opens in a new window)
- 2026–27 Minnesota Wild Team Guide (opens in a new window)
- Board of Governors approve Craig Leipold's purchase of Minnesota Wild (opens in a new window)
- Player of the Week – Zach Parise (opens in a new window)
- Wild to buy out contracts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter (opens in a new window)
- St. Thomas vs. North Dakota Men’s Hockey October 12, 2025 (opens in a new window)
- Hughes open to re-signing with Wild (opens in a new window)
- Official Minnesota Wild Website | Minnesota Wild (opens in a new window)