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MINNEAPOLIS — Ryan Carter called it a “time warp.”

The snow falling Sunday afternoon at TCF Bank Stadium reminded the Wild winger and Minnesota native of the early mornings and late nights he spent learning to skate as a youngster. At one point, he looked up in the stands and noticed a group of kids sporting White Bear Lake jerseys, conjuring images of his youth and high school hockey days. And the University of Minnesota marching band’s rendition of “Back in Black” as the Wild entered the NHL Stadium Series rink had Carter thinking back to his two seasons of college pucks (nevermind that he spent them in Mankato).

“It was awesome,” said Carter, who had a goal and an assist in Minnesota’s 6-1, outdoor drubbing of loathed Chicago. “In the third there we got up, what was it, 5-0 or something like that, 6-1, and I sat back and said, ‘This is pretty cool.’”

Devan Dubnyk tried to tune it all out. But afterward, he stayed on the ice awhile to take it all in.

“During the game, you don’t get a chance to look around and realize the atmosphere and the size of the stadium that you’re in,” Dubnyk said. “I try not to look around to much in (the) Excel (Energy Center). I think if you look a little too high, sometimes you get a little startled by how many people are actually in there. Today was another one of those days I waited till the game was over to have a good look around.”

Matt Dumba couldn’t wait that long. The scene, the snow, the fireworks, the flames shooting skyward during player introductions — it all engulfed the 21-year-old defenseman. The adrenaline proved useful, as his rebound goal off a Carter breakaway and ensuing open-ice hit on Andrew Desjardins set up an afternoon in which the Blackhawks had zero answers for the woebegone club they’ve knocked out of the past three Stanley Cup playoffs.

“It’s kind of overwhelming,” said Dumba, sporting thick triangles of eye black under his eyes, which he said were inspired by Ray Lewis. “I was excited all day. Right when I got on the ice, I just had this energy. I just wanted to use it the right way.”

Many of the 50,426 that paid top dollar to witness Sunday’s spectacle waited years and years for it to come to fruition. The NHL powers that be finally awarded the State of Hockey one of its made-for-TV affairs that burst at the seams with nostalgia, and a team that saw its coach shown the door a little more than a week ago delivered.

But this party featured more than just the headlining act.

On a day dubbed Hockey Day in America by the league, USA Hockey and broadcast provider NBC, tailgaters lined the lots surrounding the Golden Gophers’ football stadium, some slapping pucks across the concrete and into miniature goals. The Spectator Plaza on Southeast Oak Street brimmed with Wild and Blackhawks sweaters — from the special-issue Stadium Series threads worn by players Sunday to more off-color homages, including a pair dressed as Steve Hanson and Ogie Ogilthorpe from “Slap Shot” — Coke-bottle glasses and afro wig included. Bookended by giant inflatable tabletop hockey players, the beer garden in front of Mariucci Arena was packed leading up to the opening faceoff. So was the Buffalo Wild Wings next door.

When the gates opened, they lined the concourses of this 52,525-seat stadium. It was only the second of 17 outdoor NHL games to not sell out, but the decibel levels didn’t lend much evidence to that shortcoming. Other than an F-16 flyover after Jazmine Sullivan’s national anthem rendition, and Cheap Trick’s first-intermission performance, the day’s loudest cacophonies came from steamed-up Wild fans.

And if you thought 18,000-plus singing Joe Satriani’s “Crowd Chant” after goals or chanting “Craw-ford” at the Chicago netminder was loud, try more than double that.

“They did a great job,” Dumba said of the fans, “and we put on a great show.”

So did the crew that installed and maintained the event’s makeshift sheet, according to players. With the ice lined by potted evergreen trees, gargantuan team, league and sponsorship insignia, and an auxiliary rink for youth teams, there was plenty of pomp and circumstance to go around. Apple Valley goalie Taylor DeForrest, who made 111 saves in a game earlier this winter, was honored alongside Minnesota hockey legends Aaron Broten, Neal Broten, Dave Christian, Phil Housley, Jamie Langenbrunner and Reed Larson, the University of Minnesota’s women’s hockey team and Wright Homes/FHIT, winners of the 2016 National Pond Hockey Championships open division, during the second intermission. Other participants in Saturday’s alumni game featuring past North Stars, Wild and Blackhawks greats were on hand, too; victorious coach Lou Nanne was still wearing his letterman-style North Stars jacket from the day before.

Truth is, the Wild have been in need of such a distraction.

Only eight days removed from coach Mike Yeo’s firing, Minnesota (27-22-10) won its fourth game in a row after dropping eight straight and three of 19 to start 2016. With goals from six different players, 31 saves from Dubnyk and three points apiece from Erik Haula and Jason Pominville, the Wild coldcocked Western Conference leader Chicago (38-19-5) in their most dominant performance of a season gone awry thus far. Concern still hangs heavy, even with Minnesota currently a point out of playoff contention, and players have said they’re largely responsible for Yeo losing his job.

“I think it’s up to them,” said interim coach John Torchetti, still unblemished since his call-up from Iowa to replace Yeo on an interim basis. “It’s not me. That’s the bottom line. Once you make a commitment as a teammate and your other teammates see you play at that level, then it’s up to myself and then the other players to hold everyone else accountable to that style of play.”

Said Ryan Suter: “It’s been a rollercoaster.”

Suter brought his young son Brooks to the press-conference podium Sunday. As the pair got up to leave, and fans beyond the TCF Bank Stadium walls headed for their vehicles or Dinkytown watering holes to cap the weekend, a reporter asked for Brooks’ favorite part about Minnesota’s long-time-coming outdoor extravaganza.

“The win,” Brooks said.

The post State of Hockey heaven appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

MINNEAPOLIS — No autographs, please.

The sign greeted the line of patrons snaking its way around The Pint Public House’s bar Friday night in downtown Minneapolis. Yet Mike Modano stood at the front of it with a Sharpie in hand, grinning as he signed a smattering of memorabilia — including several North Stars jerseys bearing his name and No. 9 — and posed for pictures as part of a pre-arranged meet-and-greet.

The highest-scoring American in NHL history was more stoic Saturday afternoon as he stepped off a tour bus and walked briskly into TCF Bank Stadium. Two hours later, he and 22 other local hockey greats of yesteryear passed underneath a stream of green-lit fireworks and onto the temporary Stadium Series ice here. And the pregame ovation from 37,922 at Saturday’s alumni game when Modano’s name was called ranked among the evening’s loudest.

It’s that kind of zeal that in less than a half-decade endeared Modano to Minnesota — and Minnesota to Modano.

“It’s nothing you wouldn’t have expected,” Modano said. “Just great fans, just passionate people that are loyal about the game and the history of the organization.”

They came to celebrate the State of Hockey’s heritage Saturday. The elder among them have Lou Nanne, Tom Reid, Neal Broten and Dino Ciccarelli. Today’s heroes wear red and go by names like Ryan, Zach and Devan.

But those who endured Minneapolis-St. Paul’s hockey black hole from 1993-2001 also remember fondly the seismic flash before the void.

“The guy, he’s a franchise builder,” said Nanne, who coached the North Stars and Wild alums to a 6-4 victory over Chicago’s old-timers Saturday. “There are very few players that are both franchise players, but then they bring you out of your seats. They’ve got that kind of charisma. He’s one of them, and it’s something that’s special for this community and … in Dallas. But he’s still a big part of Minnesota hockey culture.”

Playing on a line with Brian Bellows and Brian Rolston, Modano skated in a Minnesota sweater for the first time since Norm Green moved the franchise to Dallas in 1993. The 45-year-old spent the first four seasons of his 21-year Hall of Fame career calling the Met Center home ice.

Nanne drafted Modano four days before his 18th birthday, rendering him the second American to be taken first overall. A rookie year that probably should’ve brought Calder Memorial Trophy honors, a Stanley Cup Finals appearance his sophomore season, and 123 goals and 186 assists later, Green ripped Modano and the North Stars away from the Twin Cities and planted them in Dallas.

The latter wishes things could’ve been different.

“I wish it would’ve worked out where we could’ve been able to stay here for a good, long time,” said Modano, who had an empty-net goal and an assist Saturday. “I would’ve loved to see what we would’ve been able to do with 10, 12, 14 years under our belts here.”

Modano will always be remembered as a (Lone) Star. His number, which he wore in homage to both Gordie Howe and Ted Williams, hangs in the American Airlines Center rafters.

Today, the Michigan native lives in Arizona. He’s married to professional golfer Allison Micheletti, the daughter and niece of Joe and Pat Micheletti. He’s a frequent links-goer himself, often swinging clubs with former Stars teammate and fellow 1999 Cup winner Brett Hull.

Sitting in the victors’ dressing room on TCF’s ground level Saturday night, Modano had the Sharpie out again. This time, he was signing jerseys for the likes of Steve Payne and Reed Larson, part of a flurry of signature exchanges among players as they sipped on Coors Light.

And for one day in the sun, at least, Modano was able to return to the beginning.

“Obviously, it’s a sentimental thing,” Modano said. “My career started here. I had four … of the greatest years (of my life).”

The post Franchise Builder appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

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The post Gallery: North Stars vs. Blackhawks appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

MINNEAPOLIS — Outdoor professional hockey is coming to Minnesota.

The National Hockey League announced details on Wednesday of the NHL Stadium Series game to be played between the Minnesota Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks on February 21, 2016 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold, and an assortment of Wild players including Zach Parise were a part of the media event emceed by KARE-11 sports anchor and Minnesota Hockey Magazine columnist Dave Schwartz.

“We are pleased to bring the Coors Light NHL Stadium Series to ‘the State of Hockey’ as a highlight of the Hockey Day in America triple-header on NBC and NBCSN and as part of USA Hockey’s national celebration of our sport, Hockey Weekend Across America,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “With so much great hockey having been played on the University of Minnesota campus, TCF Bank Stadium will serve as an ideal setting for this outdoor renewal of the Wild-Blackhawks rivalry.”

This will be TCF Bank Stadium’s second time hosting an outdoor hockey event. The 2014 Hockey City Classic featured the University of Minnesota women’s and men’s teams battle Minnesota State Mankato and Ohio State respectively. The event drew 45,021 fans to the event and remains the largest crowd to witness a hockey game in Minnesota.

An alumni game will be played the day before February 20 with former Wild and Minnesota North Stars players battling past Chicago Blackhawks greats. Neal Broten, Mike Modano, Andrew Brunette, Brad Bombardir and more will represent the North Stars/Wild. Former North Stars teammates Lou Nanne and Tom Reid will coach the team.

Team Chicago will feature Blackhawks alums such as Eddie Olcyzk, Ed Belfour, Denis Savard, and Jeremy Roenick. The team will be coached by Tony Esposito and Pat Foley.

Complete alumni game rosters are available below.

Priority access for tickets will be given to Minnesota Wild, Chicago Blackhawks, and University of Minnesota football season-ticket holders. Information will be sent to those holders in the coming days while any general public ticket availability information will be released at a later date.

The post Stadium Series details announced appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Ex-Blackhawks to face North Star/Wild alums outside

Since the moment the Minnesota Wild was granted its first outdoor game, a Sun. Feb 21, 2016 NHL Stadium Series clash with the Chicago Blackhawks, the inclusion of an alumni event among the weekend’s festivities has been the subject of speculation.

In fact, immediately after the official announcement, Minnesota Wild Chief Executive Officer Matt Majka opened the door to the possibility when he said, “I think our fans might want to see Secord and Ciccarelli back on the ice for a day or two.”

As of today, that wish has been granted.

Former Minnesota North Stars defenseman Brad Maxwell revealed this morning that a team featuring a mix of North Star and Wild alumni will square off against a squad of former Chicago Blackhawks greats on Sat. Feb. 20, 2016 at TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

Maxwell’s announcement came as a guest on 1500 ESPN radio’s Mackey and Judd program which was broadcast live from Prestwick Golf Club in Woodbury, the site of today’s Minnesota NHL Alumni Golf Classic.

The physical blueliner, famous for his southpaw fighting style, told hosts by Phil Mackey and Judd Zulgad the home roster will include prominent names such as Neal Broten, Dino Ciccarelli, Mike Modano, Craig Hartsburg, Jack Carlson, Curt Giles, Bobby Smith, Basil McRae, Willi Plett, Gilles Meloche and Don Beaupre. Maxwell added that a Blackhawks contingent consisting of Denis Savard, Ed Belfour and fan favorite, Al Secord, is expected.

Although not formally announced, former Wild players could potentially include Brian Rolston, Mark Parrish, Wes Walz and Andrew Brunette.

The post Stadium Series alumni event unveiled appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

TCF Bank Stadium lands Wild’s Stadium Series game in 2016

SAINT PAUL – The date and location of the first-ever outdoor National Hockey League game in state history is no longer a mystery. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announced today the NHL Stadium Series game featuring the Minnesota Wild hosting the Chicago Blackhawks will take place Sun. Feb. 21, 2016 at TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

“It’s a great day for our fans, the State of Hockey, the community and our organization and franchise,” Minnesota Wild Chief Executive Officer Matt Majka said. “We worked at it for a long time; the league has made it clear what the expected of us to be in a game like this, we worked on that and now here we are. It’s exciting.”

The game will be the first of two Coors Light NHL Stadium Series contests in 2016 with the Colorado Avalanche entertaining the Detroit Red Wings on Feb. 27 at Coors Field where the Colorado Rockies play their home games.

Bettman also revealed the Boston Bruins will host the Montreal Canadiens in the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic on Jan. 1, 2016 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA, home of the New England Patriots.

Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold composed a letter to Wild fans which was posted on the team’s website expressing the team’s pleasure in landing the coveted event.

“We’re thrilled that the NHL has awarded a 2016 Coors Light Stadium Series outdoor game to Minnesota. Congratulations, you deserve this chance to showcase and celebrate our favorite game in the great outdoors on a national stage. The recent Hockey Day Minnesota events all around the state showed once again how the outdoor game is in our blood.”

Leipold went on to say he is confident the team will eventually be awarded the Winter Classic, an event he has been openly campaigning for virtually since he bought the team. Majka said accepting a Stadium Series game would not stand in the way of that goal.

“That was a big point for us, actually,” Majka said. “We were assured by the league if we took this game,  and did a good job with it, that would not at all preclude us from a future Winter Classic and, hopefully, very soon.”

The NHL had a pair of venues to choose from, including Target Field, but TCF Bank’s 10,000 additional seats — and the additional revenue they bring —won the league over. According to Majka, the Wild’s input was minimal as the NHL ultimately has the final say.

“We had a difficult choice here ourselves because we have two great venues in this market that easily can host this game and these events,” Majka said. “The league worked hard on it with both venues … in the end it was a very tough choice for the NHL.”

Minnesota Athletic Director Norwood Teague said the university was aggressive in its pursuit of the event and feels the U of M offers the league the ideal venue.

“Our sightlines are very good for football and for hockey,” Teague said. “We’re a newer stadium so we have a lot of steepness to our venue, we’ve got a lot of club seating, we have some great concessions; we’re just a new stadium so it always helps with architecture and things that were put in place there.”

The University of Minnesota and TCF Bank Stadium is no stranger to hosting large-scale outdoor hockey games having hosted the 2014 Hockey City Classic on Jan. 17, 2014. The evening featured a women’s game between the Gophers and Minnesota State followed by the Minnesota men hosting Ohio State in front of 45, 021 bundled up fans.

Teague said it would be hard to believe that experience did not factor into the league’s decision.

“We’ve been down that road and we’ve had one and I know if I was in their shoes it would have made a difference with me.”

The Hockey City Classic concluded a week-long series of activities on the outdoor rink including several high school games, team practices and open skating. Majka said it’s too early to speculate on what the game’s surrounding fanfare will include but they certainly include high school games — including Hockey Day Minnesota — college games and a possible visit by the Wild’s AHL club, the Iowa Wild.

He also opened the door to the possibility of an alumni game featuring players from the North Stars and Blackhawks.

“I think our fans might want to see Secord and Ciccarelli back on the ice for a day or two.”

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