Minnesota Wild Time Line page 28

[January 15, 1999] -- The National Hockey League's (NHL) Minnesota Wild front office personnel including former Roseau High School hockey legend Neal Broten and fellow Olympic hockey Gold Medalist Karyn Bye will attend the Warroad vs. Roseau high school hockey game at Roseau Memorial Arena on Tuesday, January 26 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Minnesota Wild's Grass Roots Hockey Initiative.

Additional Minnesota Wild personnel scheduled to appear on this grass roots caravan that will include a stop in Warroad, includes CEO Jac Sperling and board member Bob Naegele III, along with Wild staff members Cory Effertz, Greg Hoyt, Brian Hutchinson, Matt Majka, Shawn Reid and Mike Snee. Minnesota Wild Grass Roots Hockey Advisors Broten and Bye will participate in activities before and during the hockey game, including a ceremonial puck drop, autograph signings and a raffle for Minnesota Wild merchandise to be given away during the game.

"Watching a classic high school hockey game between legendary powerhouses such as Warroad and Roseau is as grass roots as it gets and we are honored to attend this long-time rivalry," said Jac Sperling. Added Neal Broten, "It is always fun returning to where my hockey career started, and there is nothing more exciting than watching these two teams battle."

The Minnesota Wild launched the initial phase of a grass roots hockey program to promote the overall growth of amateur hockey throughout the Upper Midwest on November 19. The "Wild About Youth" program now has life-size displays offering various Minnesota Wild products in over 80 rinks throughout Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. Featured on the life-size displays are Olympic hockey Gold Medalists Alana Blahoski, Neal Broten and Karyn Bye.

For more information on Minnesota Wild Grass Roots Hockey or Community Relations Programs and season tickets, call (651) 222-WILD (9453).