199 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, 55102
651-265-4800, www.xcelenergycenter.com
Minnesota was in a predicament when the 26-year-strong North Stars left in 1993. But the sport couldn’t stay away from the State of Hockey for too long. The Minnesota Wild has been at home in St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center since 2000 and hockey fans wouldn’t have it any other way. The team made a name for itself early on by making it to the playoffs in only its third season (2002-2003). Despite a canceled season in 2005, the Minnesota Wild returned to the ice with a vengeance. The team and the fans took to the new faces and new rules, bringing back an excitement that was greatly missing from the sport. In the top third of the NHL as far as season ticket base, season ticket holders fill more than 16,000 of the Xcel’s 18,000 seats. With stick-wielding greats like Marian Gaborik, Todd White and Wes Walz, that fan enthusiasm won’t fall anytime soon. In response to the lack of hockey players checking each other in the Xcel in 2005, Minnesota inaugurated a new professional sports team, and the shoulder slams and stick checks of the National Lacrosse League’s new team, Swarm, were wholly welcomed.
Opened:
September 29, 2000
Surface:
Total ice – 17,000 sq ft.
Capacity:
Seats 18,064 (NHL games)
Owner:
City of Saint Paul
Operator:
St. Paul Arena Company
www.xcelenergycenter.com
www.wild.com
www.mnswarm.com
