Minnesota Wild Time Line page12

Minnesota Hockey Fans' Choices for New Team Name Narrowed to One; Unveiling to Take Place at Aldrich Arena

[January 7, 1998] -- Minnesota's new NHL franchise will officially unveil its new team name on Thursday, January 22, 1998 at historic Aldrich Arena, 1850 White Bear Avenue, Maplewood, Minnesota.

The team's 9,700 season ticket holders will be provided free tickets for the event which is expected to be "sold out". The doors will open at 5:00 p.m. and the 30 minute event will start at 6:00 p.m. The unveiling will involve former North Stars players, NHL officials and dozens of Minnesota youth hockey players.

"This is perhaps the most exciting event for our franchise since its inception," said Minnesota Hockey NHL CEO Jac Sperling. "You only get one chance to make an impression on your fans when you unveil the name of their team - and this will be an event we will all remember for a long time."

"We expect nearly 3,000 people at Aldrich Arena for this event," said Sperling, "Our hope is that this will launch to all of Minnesota our team's identity and demonstrate our goal of establishing a grass roots relationship with our hockey fans who have been so instrumental in our success so far."

For fans unable to attend the Aldrich event, arrangements are currently in process for a live radio and television broadcast of the event and a public event after the unveiling.

Aldrich Arena Event Nearly Sold Out

[January 13, 1998] -- Officials from the National Hockey League have informed Jac Sperling, CEO of Minnesota Hockey NHL, that the Stanley Cup will be in Minnesota at the team's name and logo unveiling event on Thursday, January 22 to be held at Aldrich Arena from 5:00 p.m. until 6:30 p.m.

"The Stanley Cup represents more than just the best of the best in NHL Hockey," said Sperling. "It is a symbol of the enduring strength of professional hockey in this country and clearly provides a powerful image to all Minnesota hockey fans that we are a part of a tremendous NHL tradition."

The Aldrich Arena event will almost certainly be sold out to 3,000 season ticketholders, with over 1,000 reservations to attend the name and logo unveiling event already received in just a matter of days. In the next few days, more information about the event will be released, but already, Sperling says, the inclusion of the Stanley Cup and the general excitement about learning of the team's name and logo has increased fan enthusiasm.

"There's nothing like the emotion of unveiling a new team's name and logo to solidify fan support for our new franchise. Our goal is to ensure that our fans of all ages recognize that this is their team, and we are proud to be a part of the NHL tradition here in Minnesota, as well as throughout all of North America."

ALDRICH ARENA NAME AND LOGO UNVEILING EVENT "SOLD OUT"

More than 3,000 expected to view unveiling of new Minnesota Hockey NHL name and logo at Aldrich Arena; Public invited to attend surprise ceremony at the Arena at RiverCentre

[January 19, 1998] -- The excitement of Minnesota NHL hockey fans has literally gone through the roof as season ticket holders have reserved more than 3,000 seats for the unveiling of the new Minnesota Hockey NHL name and logo.

The event, to be held on Thursday, January 22 at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood, Minnesota officially begins promptly at 6:00 p.m., but doors will open at 5:00 p.m. with a brief pre-unveiling ceremony slated to start at 5:45 p.m.

Because of the tremendous response from Minnesota NHL hockey fans, Minnesota Hockey NHL CEO, Jac K. Sperling, announced today that a special public program will be held beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the main entrance to the arena at the Saint Paul RiverCentre ( formerly known as the Saint Paul Civic Center).

"To say that we are overwhelmed is a bit of an understatement," said Sperling. " The enthusiasm of NHL fans continues to exceed our expectations. To that end, we are providing a bit of a surprise event at the arena at RiverCentre for other NHL hockey fans who aren't able to be a part of the actual program at Aldrich Arena."

According to Sperling, the 7:30 p.m. event at the RiverCentre will involve a special ceremony involving the Stanley Cup. In addition, hockey fans will have the opportunity to have their picture taken with the Stanley Cup and a couple of surprise guests, as well. Fans wishing to have their picture taken will be asked to make a small donation that will in turn be donated to the Minnesota Amateur Hockey Association (M.A.H.A.)

"We don't want to give anything away, but, suffice it to say, the event at the arena at RiverCentre will include food, beverages, some give-away items, and, of course, a couple of special surprises that I think all NHL fans will appreciate."

Prior to the 7:30 p.m. event, a motorcade led by a Saint Paul Fire Department engine will leave Aldrich Arena at approximately 7:00 p.m., with the Stanley Cup, and proceed along the following route to the arena at RiverCentre.

The event route begins South on White Bear Avenue, West on Maryland Avenue, South on Rice Street, East on University, South on Park, South to John Ireland Boulevard, East on Kellogg to the main entrance of the RiverCentre.

MINNESOTA HOCKEY NHL NAME AND LOGO UNVEILING EVENT AT ALDRICH ARENA TO BE BROADCAST LIVE

Other media activities to lead up to historic event at Maplewood's Aldrich Arena

[January 20, 1998] -- MSC's Mike Max will host a live one hour show, sponsored by Northwest Airlines, called, "Return to Ice", from 6:00 p.m. featuring the name and logo unveiling of Minnesota Hockey NHL until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 22nd as just one of the programs being broadcast live as Minnesota Hockey NHL unveils its new name and logo.

In addition to the MSC program, KSTP-AM 1500 will host a special edition of KSTP Sportstalk with Joe Soucheray and Patrick Reusse live from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. under the big top at the parking lot of Aldrich Arena. KSTP's Dan Terhaar will provide the play-by-play action of the unveiling of the name and logo event beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Finally, beginning at 7:00 p.m. KS 95 FM will host a broadcast of the motorcade transporting the Stanley Cup and a surprise guest from Aldrich Arena to the arena at the Saint Paul RiverCentre and a public celebration at the 7th Street Entrance of the arena at Saint Paul RiverCentre. This will include live call-in remotes from the motorcade procession and the public celebration event.

"It's great to have the support of such great partners as MSC, KSTP and KS95 FM to help us with this historic event," said Jac K. Sperling, CEO of Minnesota Hockey NHL.

For media planning to attend the Aldrich Arena event and/or the arena at the Saint Paul RiverCentre event, please contact Erich Mische at (612) 292-1105 or Bill Robertson at (612) 602-6022 to confirm your attendance and any special needs you may have. In addition, a special Media Room will be available on the main floor of Aldrich Arena to receive press kits and materials.

Former North Stars Coach Glen Sonmor and North Stars Player Tom Reid to emcee name and logo unveiling event

[January 21, 1998] -- Brian Burke, Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations for the National Hockey League, will attend the Minnesota Hockey NHL name and logo unveiling event at Aldrich Arena on Thursday, January 22.

Burke is one of Commissioner Bettman's top advisors on all hockey matters. His responsibilities include player discipline, officiating, proposed rule changes, overseeing facilities and international competition. He is also the amin liaison with the NHL General Managers.

Prior to joining the NHL, Burke, 42 served as President and General Manager of the Hartford Whalers from May 1992 to September 1993. In 1987, he joined the Vancouver Canucks as Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations, serving in that capacity for five years.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Burke grew up in Minnesota.

"Brian is appearing as a representative of the National Hockey League," said Minnesota Hockey NHL CEO Jac K. Sperling." He has a long association with the sport of hockey in the State of Minnesota and a Minnesota Boy who made good at the highest level of the sports."

In addition to Burke's presence at the unveiling event, the Minnesota Hockey NHL announced that former North Stars Coach Glen Sonmor and North Stars Player Tom Reid will emcee the unveiling event at Aldrich Arena.

"Tom and Glen have been great supporters of Minnesota Hockey NHL from the very beginning," said Sperling. "We are proud of their association with this team, and with this event. They will make a great event even better because of the rich history and tradition they bring to this community."

Saint Paul, Minnesota, January 22, 1998

[January 22, 1998] -- Minnesota Hockey NHL is no more. In its place is the newly named "Minnesota Wild". A team name that came from suggestions by thousands of enthusiastic Minnesota hockey fans over the course of the past six months.

The new team name was unveiled during an historic ceremony at Maplewood, Minnesota's Aldrich Arena. The event, emceed by former Minnesota North Stars' Coach Glen Sonmor and former Minnesota North Stars' Defenseman Tom Reid, was a 30-minute celebration of the excitement, glory and return of NHL Hockey to Minnesota. Also attending the event on behalf of the NHL was Brian Burke, Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations for the NHL.

Former Minnesota North Stars player, Neal Broten, entered the Aldrich event with the Stanley Cup, flanked by 26 Minnesota youth hockey players wearing the jerseys of all 26 NHL teams.

"The selection of our team name is obviously an important step in developing our team's identity," said Jac K. Sperling, CEO of the Minnesota Wild. "We think it best represents what Minnesota hockey fans hold most dear - our rugged natural wilderness, the premier brand hockey that's native to Minnesota and the great enthusiasm of all of our hockey fans."

The logo, unveiled on Thursday on the side of a large puck, depicted the word "Wild" designed in an organic, naturalist form and included the team's official colors which are Iron Range Red, Forest Green, Harvest Gold and Minnesota Wheat.

"A team name reflects more than just an identity of one player. It represents the entirety of what that team should mean to the entire state and to our hockey fans. It will be fun and exciting," said Sperling. "Our name is an important step in the development of our team. But, more importantly, the NHL is coming home.

The Minnesota Wild will begin play when the 2000-2001 NHL season opens in a new multi-purpose facility in Saint Paul, Minnesota, that will feature great hockey sight lines.

"It's so exciting to have the tradition and passion of Minnesota hockey return to the NHL," said David Haney, Creative Director of NHL Enterprises, L.P. "This dynamic team identity reflects that tradition and passion, and is a great addition to the overall presentation of the Coolest Game on earth."

Team officials announced that merchandise will be immediately available at all J.C. Penney department stores and other retail outlets throughout Minnesota beginning Friday, January 23. Merchandise and season tickets can be ordered by contacting the team at:

Phone: (612) 333-PUCK (7825)

Fax: (612) 222-1055

Website: www.wild.com