Mikko Koivu Injury Hits Struggling Minnesota : January 16, 2012

Few in the Minnesota organisation would argue that the last month and a half hasn't been pretty devastating for a franchise that had started so brightly. The Wild have just...

Minnesota ‘Not So’ Wild : January 05, 2012

Barely one month ago, the Minnesota Wild were riding atop the Western conference standings, and numerous articles were being written about them as arguably the league's biggest story through December....

Cracks Appearing After Minnesota’s Fast Start? : December 21, 2011

The Minnesota Wild fell to their fourth straight defeat on Monday night, the loss to the Canucks was especially significant as it helped Vancouver close the gap at the top...

Defensive Minded Wild Sit At Top Of NHL Standings : November 24, 2011

For several years, the Minnesota Wild were tagged the "trap" team. It was a very boring style of hockey, however, the Wild had always insisted it was necessary to survive...

San Jose Sharks Snag C James Sheppard from Wild : August 07, 2011

In the latest deal between the San Jose Sharks and the Minnesota Wild, center James Sheppard has been exchanged for a third-round draft selection in 2013. This marks the third...

minnesota wild History

The National Hockey League (NHL) team the Minnesota Wild are based out of St. Paul, Minnesota. The team plays in the Western Conference's Northwest Division. The Wild franchise was established in 2000 and was the first Minnesota NHL franchise since 1993 when the Minnesota North Stars relocated to Dallas, TX. In their first game, they were defeated by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks by a score of 3-1. Five games later the Wild recorded their first win versus the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Wild play their home games at Xcel Energy Center. During the NHL's 2002-2003 season, the Wild made it into the playoffs for the first time and made it all the way into the Western Conference Finals. However, the Anaheim Might Ducks swept them. Minnesota's two affiliate minor league teams are the Bakersfield Condors and Houston Aeros. The Wild as of 2011 have a .531 winning percentage average since they entered the NHL. They are also the only 1997 expansion team to have advanced past the playoffs' second round.

The Minnesota Wild have made the playoffs three times. In 2002-2003, the team finished in third place in the Northwest Division and lost in the Conference Finals to Anaheim. In 2006-2007, they placed second in their division and lost to the Ducks in the Conference Quarterfinals. In 2007-08, the Wild won their division but lost to the Avalanche in the Conference Quarterfinals.