Minnesota Wild History
The state of Minnesota was without an NHL franchise for seven years after the 1993 departure of the North Stars. That void was filled when the city of Saint Paul landed the Wild as an expansion team in 2000. Hall of Famer Jacques Lemaire took over as the franchise's first head coach.
The Wild advanced to the Western Conference Final in 2002-2003 behind the play of right wing Marián Gáborík, and has gone on to post a winning record in almost every season since. Starting with the 2012-2013 season, Minnesota reached the postseason six consecutive times.
Center Mikko Koivu spent his entire NHL career with the Wild and is the franchise's all-time leader in games played, points and assists. In 2022, the Wild retired Koivu's jersey, the first player in franchise history to have a jersey retired. Overall, the Wild has qualified for the Playoffs 13 times in its history.
Minnesota Wild Team Info
Conference: Western
Division: Central
Year Founded: 1997
Team Colors: Green, Gold, Red
Team Rivals: Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues
Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center
Located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Xcel Energy Center opened on September 29, 2000 when the Minnesota Wild took on the Anaheim Ducks, claiming a 3-1 victory. In their first nine seasons of play, the Wild hosted sellout crowds for 409 consecutive games. Accommodating up to 17,954 fans for hockey games, the 650,000 square-foot multi-purpose facility hosts more than 150 sporting and entertainment events and 1.7 million visitors each year.
Fun game to watch. Wild are doing great right now and winning on home ice. Love watching a good hockey game and this was a good one against the Av's. Seats were good Nice crowd around us.
Game was awesome! Seats were great. Love the Wild :) Sitting below the horn was great. Not too loud. Corner seats were pretty good. View was great.
Great to see the wild on a roll!!! and the three fights!!! And cal clutterbucks team lading 17th goal!!!!
This was one amazing game! When we go to Wild games we usually sit on the Lower Level and this time sat in the Club House level. These seats were the best we have had yet! This team is on FIRE!
This was my first NHL game and I had a blast. For sure will be going again and will be sitting closer!! GO WILD!!!!!!!!!!!
Great Hockey Day Minnesota!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love BLOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love going to the games!! They are always a good time.
was great that it was bruno's 1000th game too - really added to the night
One of the best games I have seen in person. The Wild look like a team that is not going to be denied a playoff run.
A great hockey arena. Fun atmosphere, friendly staff, great view of the ice even though we where very high up.
I watch pretty much every game. To be able to bring my 4 year old to her first hockey game brought a huge smile to my face. From the moment we walked in the door to get our vouchers for free hockey pucks to the nice guy taking our picture in front of the ice I knew it was going to be a great night. Thanks for the great experience with my family. Never to be forgotten!!!
It was awesome!!!! Great game, great seats and great fights and great hockey
game was outstanding. wild played great. seats were excellent.
I've been to many games of the Wild, but this was the first time I went by myself. I HAD to see Brunette's 1000th NHL game. I definitely wasn't disappointed. The people sitting next to me were a lot of fun to watch the game with. It was great!
There simply isn't a bad seat in the X. I had a great time!
Great venue !! Always fun to see live hockey at the X
Once again -- good time, good environment, and good value for the money. If you can fit one of these Bud Light Nites into your schedule --- by all means do!!
I decided to splurge on this ticket - it was well worth the money! I've seen many Wild games from the Club and 200 levels, but being right there on the glass made me appreciate so much how fast the game is, how skilled the players are and how hard the hits are!
The game was amazing just like the first time i went!
The game was an absolute must see! Our seats were right by the penalty box which made everything 10 times better! The only draw back was the seats were rediculously close together i felt claustrophobic and suffocated. Very uncomfortable but everything else was fantastic an unforgetable time!