Getting Wild

As I child I dreamed of being in the NHL. Well… it’s a little too late to make that happen. Ever since the hockey is still where my heart is. I’ve always been fascinated and in awe by the speed of the players, their skill, the rinks, equipment, locker rooms, etc.

Mark has been great and made a few phone calls and today I was able to attend a private practice of the Minnesota Wild at the Xcel Energy Center. The only other people there were a few people from the press. I sat next to Tom Reid who is an official radio announcer for the Minnesota Wild. He played for the Minnesota North Stars and Chicago Blackhawks in the 1970s. He even announced for MSU for a year on television. It was a great experience to sit down with a former NHL player who really knows the game.

I’m continually impressed with the skill level of guys in the NHL. Of course this is only my second time seeing them. I saw the Red Wings play a couple years ago. I’ve been around hockey my entire life and live for it. Seeing the pros practice is a great insight to how it all comes together and the commitment they put in. And wow are they good.

Well it gets betters. An absolute dream came true when I got a personal tour of the Minnesota Wild locker room, weight room, equipment room, and players lounge. The facilities are amazing! I stood next to Marion Gaborik’s locker among all the other players. I’ve always said I wanted an inside look at life in the United States, and I really did get an inside look at the NHL today.

I have to give a special shout out to #39 Joel Ward, who flipped a puck over the glass for me. It’s a true childhood dream to go in an NHL locker room. To everyone at the Wild I have to say thanks for the opportunity. It’s a special memory that will be with me for years. From now on I’ll definitely be cheering for the Wild. There’s no doubt that Minnesota is the state of hockey.