|
|
MINNESOTA WILD HOSTS NEW SAINT PAUL ARENA "TOPPING OFF" CELEBRATION
[November 1, 1999] -- SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The National Hockey League's (NHL) Minnesota Wild celebrated today as the new Saint Paul Arena's general contractor Mortenson/Thor raised the last steel beam to the roof of the arena as part of the new Saint Paul Arena's Topping Off Celebration. A balsam fir tree and flags representing the United States of America, the State of Minnesota, the City of Saint Paul and the Minnesota Wild were placed on the final beam to signify the arena has reached its highest point.
The Topping Off event is a celebration dedicated to the construction workers for completing the building's external structure. Attending the celebration to recognize the efforts of the over 500 tradespersons working with the Mortenson/Thor construction team were Executive Secretary of the Saint Paul Building Trades and President of the Minnesota State Building Trades Dick Anfang, Saint Paul Mayor Norm Coleman, former Minnesota Twins star Paul Molitor, former Minnesota North Star and local downtown Saint Paul restaurant owner Tom Reid and Minnesota Wild CEO Jac Sperling.
"This is a monumental point in the arena's construction," said Sperling. "The Mortenson/Thor construction team and all the contractors have done an incredible job in getting us to this point in the project and we look forward to playing in this spectacular venue next fall."
The enclosure of the new Saint Paul Arena is important because it allows for the construction team to work in a heated, secure environment throughout the winter. The final steel beam weighs one-half ton and is 28 feet 9 inches long and ties two main trusses together on the western portion of the arena's roof structure.
The deconstruction of the Saint Paul Civic Center began June 15th, 1998 and was completed 121 days later on October 14th. The construction of the new Saint Paul Arena began October 15th, 1998 and through 382 days of construction and today's Topping Off celebration, the 18,600-seat, $130 million arena is on budget and on schedule for a September 2000 opening.
MINNESOTA WILD ADDS FIVE MEMBERS TO HOCKEY OPERATIONS DEPARMENT
[November 2, 1999] -- Minnesota Wild Executive Vice President/General Manager Doug Risebrough announced today the National Hockey League (NHL) club has named Frank Effinger as a Pro Scout; Marc Chamard, Ron Ivany and Jeff Perry as Amateur Scouts and Pierre Pagé as a Hockey Operations Consultant. They will report directly to Risebrough.
Effinger, 48, will be responsible for scouting professional talent in the east. He played college hockey at Manhattan College, graduating in 1974 with a degree in Physical Education. Effinger has coached the men's hockey and lacrosse teams, as well as managed the ice arena at Rye Country Day School since 1974. He compiled a record of 187-66-5 in eleven seasons as Head Coach at Iona College (1979-1990). Effinger served as an Advanced Scout for the San Jose Sharks (1996-97) and most recently served as an Eastern Pro Scout for the Buffalo Sabres (1997-99). He resides in Larchment, New York, and enjoys collecting hockey memorabilia.
Chamard, 35, will be responsible for scouting amateur talent in Quebec. He spent three years playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for the Montreal Juniors (1981-82), the Verdun Junios (1982-83) and the St. Jean Beavers (1983-84). He then played two seasons at Three Rivers University (1985-87) before retiring as a player. Chamard has spent the last seven seasons as a Scout for the Val d'Or Foreurs (1993-97, QMJHL) and was most recently with the Sherbrooke Castors (1997-99, QMJHL). He is also a teacher and Vice Principal at Pavillon Stacharlas middle school in Ste-Foy. Chamard resides in Ste-Foy, Quebec, with his wife Bridgette, daughter, Julie (9), and son, Amila (3 weeks).
Ivany, 50, will be responsible for scouting amateur talent in eastern Canada. He began his coaching career at Kent State University, spending one season as an Assistant Hockey Coach (1973-74) and four seasons as Head Coach (1974-78). Ivany has spent the last twenty years coaching Elite teams in Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Germany. In Italy, he was Head Coach for the Gardena Hockey Club (1979-82, 1989-90), Varese (1982-85, 1990-91), Milan (1987-89) and Bolzano (1991-94). Ivany was also Head Coach for Davos in Switzerland (1985-87), Villach in Austria (1994-97) and most recently for Schwenningen in Germany (1997-99). He coached Italian National Teams at the Group A World Championships (1981-83), the Group B World Championships (1980-81, 1984-86, 1988-89) and the 1984 Olympics. Ivany was also Head Coach of the Davos Selects at the 1986 Spengler Cup Tournament in Switzerland. He resides in Guelph, Ontario, with his wife Barbara, and daughters, Carly (16), and Paige (14).
Perry, 29, will be responsible for scouting amateur talent in eastern Canada. He spent eight years playing professional hockey in the minor leagues with the Guelph Platers (1988-89, OHL), the Owen-Sound Platers (1989-92, OHL), the Raleigh Icecaps (1991, ECHL), the Brantford Icecaps (CoHL, 1992), the St. John's Maple Leafs (1992-93, AHL) and the Saint John Flames (1993-96, AHL). After retiring as a player in 1996, Perry has served as an Assistant Coach with the Saint John Flames. He resides in Sarnia, Ontario, with his wife, Robin, and their son, Brock (21 months).
Pagé, 51, will work as a Hockey Operations Consultant to Doug Risebrough. He began his NHL front office career as an Assistant Coach with the Calgary Flames in 1980. Pagé then served as General Manager and Head Coach of the Flames' primary affiliate (Denver and Moncton) from 1982-85. He returned to Calgary as an Assistant Coach in 1986 where he coached Risebrough for two seasons before joining him behind the bench as an Assistant Coach. Pagé served as Head Coach of the Minnesota North Stars for two seasons (1988-1990) before being hired as the General Manager of the Quebec Nordiques in 1990. He served as both General Manager and Head Coach for the club until 1994. Pagé was hired as Head Coach of the Calgary Flames in 1995 by Risebrough and served in that capacity for two seasons. He spent the 1997-98 season as Head Coach of the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Pagé most recently served as a Scout for the Nashville Predators. He and his wife, Lauren, reside in Tustin, California, with their daughter, Lauren (13).
They will begin their new roles with the Wild immediately.
MINNESOTA WILD NAMES TOD LEIWEKE FIRST-EVER TEAM PRESIDENT
[November 5, 1999] -- Minnesota Wild CEO Jac Sperling announced today the National Hockey League (NHL) club has named Tod Leiweke (pronounced LYE-wick-ee) as the club's first-ever Team President.
Leiweke, 39 (1/12/60), will be responsible for the overall business operations of the Minnesota Wild including; marketing, advertising, communications, promotions, ticket sales, budget development, corporate partnerships and broadcasting agreements. Leiweke and Executive Vice President/General Manager Doug Risebrough will both report directly to Sperling.
"Tod has a very successful background in building professional sports organizations. He brings an enthusiaism for the sport of hockey and will provide great leadership for the Minnesota Wild as we continue to prepare for the NHL's return in the new Saint Paul Arena," said Sperling.
Leiweke most recently served as the Executive Director of The First Tee, the charitable arm of the World Golf Foundation (PGA Tour, USGA, PGA of America, LPGA, Augusta National). The First Tee was developed by the World Golf Foundation to create new facilities and access to golf with a special emphasis on kids who otherwise may not have an opportunity to experience the game. His main responsibility was overseeing the development of 100 facilities in twenty-nine states to meet the standards announced by The First Tee honorary chairman and former President of the United States George Bush and other board members in November of 1997.
"I am extremely excited to be given this opportunity to be a part of the NHL's return to the hockey rich tradition that has been established in Minnesota," said Leiweke. "I will continue to build on the tremendous grass roots foundation that has been developed by the Wild."
"We sincerely appreciate Tod's dedication to building The First Tee into a viable opportunity to bring golf to thousands of kids," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem, Chairman of the World Golf Foundation and First Tee Oversight Committee. "He has put together a talented staff and, as we just saw at the National Association meeting, The First Tee has gained tremendous momentum through the collaborative efforts of community leaders throughout the country. Again, we appreciate Tod's efforts and wish him well in his new endeavor."
Leiweke spent three seasons as the Executive Vice President of Orca Bay Sports & Entertainment. In that role, Leiweke was responsible for overseeing the National Basketball Association's (NBA) Vancouver Grizzlies, the NHL's Vancouver Canucks and the 20,000 seat General Motors Place. He helped guide the Grizzlies to their successful 1995-96 inaugural NBA season. Leiweke was responsible for over $100 million in annual revenue generation for Orca Bay Sports & Entertainment and built a combined season ticket base of 22,000 for the Grizzlies and Canucks.
Leiweke has also served two different stints with the NBA's Golden State Warriors. He served as President of the Warriors Arena Development Company in 1994 and as Vice President of Marketing & Broadcasting from 1987 to 1991. As Vice President of Marketing & Broadcasting, the Warriors season ticket base increased from 1,800 in 1987 to 13,000 in 1992, laying the foundation for 238 consecutive sellout crowds. As President of the Arena Development Company, he developed the overall strategies for the renovation of the Oakland Arena.
In 1993, he served as President of the NBA's Houston Rockets and oversaw the club's business operations as they underwent an ownership change. Prior to his tenure with the Rockets, Leiweke was the Vice President of Marketing for the PGA TOUR. In this role, he was responsible for the sale and service of corporate sponsorships and spearheaded the title sponsor value program for the PGA TOUR.
The St. Louis, Missouri, native spent five years (1982-1987) working as a principal in Leiweke & Company with his brothers Tracey and Tim, managing and developing a variety of sports and promotional properties from its Kansas City headquarters. These properties included the Kansas City Comets of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), representing numerous entities including the University of Kansas in advertising and sponsorship endeavors and developing "The Spirit Festival", one of the Midwest's largest civic festivals.
He will begin his new position with the Minnesota Wild immediately.
Leiweke and his wife, Tara, have a son, Tyler (7), and a daughter, Tori (4).
MINNESOTA WILD TO HOST CAPACITY CROWD FOR SWEATER UNVEILINGOverflow crowd of 2,600 fans expected for hockey festival at Roseville Skating Center
[November 15, 1999] -- The National Hockey League's (NHL) Minnesota Wild announced today that an anticipated capacity crowd of 2,600 will be in attendance for the club's sweater unveiling on Thursday, November 18, 1999, at the Roseville Skating Center (2661 Civic Center Drive) in Roseville. Tickets were provided exclusively to Minnesota Wild season ticket deposit holders. The following is a schedule of events for the Minnesota Wild sweater unveiling:
TIME EVENT 4:30 PM Gates Open 4:30 - 5:30 PM Outdoor Festival 5:45 PM Sweater Unveiling Program 6:04 PM Sweater Unveiled 6:15 - 8:00 PM Open Skating, Festival, Merchandise Tent
CTV and MediaOne will broadcast the Minnesota Wild sweater unveiling live from 5:30 to 6:30 PM on Thursday, November 18. The broadcast will be available on the following channels:
Channel 13 - All MediaOne upgraded areas Channel 14 - CTV covering Roseville and northern suburbs Channel 14 - MediaOne customers in Burnsville, Eagan and north central suburbs Channel 25 - MediaOne customers in Saint Paul For more information on this broadcast, please contact Dale Irving of CTV at (651) 481-9554.The Roseville Skating Center is located north of Highway 36, just west of the corner of Lexington and County Road C across from the Roseville Civic Center. The Roseville Skating Center is home to the John Rose Minnesota OVAL, America's largest sheet of refrigerated outdoor ice.
Media parking will be available in the Roseville Skating Center's Oval lot. The Oval lot is located on the north side of the Roseville Skating Center (south of Woodhill Drive).
MINNESOTA WILD UNVEILS HOME SWEATER DURING SKATING FESTIVAL AT THE ROSEVILLE SKATING CENTER
[November 18, 1999] --
Bill Robertson
Minnesota WildSAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota Wild unveiled the official Wild home sweater today before a capacity crowd at the Roseville Skating Center. The official Wild home sweater was revealed to a sell-out crowd of Minnesota Wild season ticket deposit holders at 6:04 p.m. (C.S.T.). The crest of the sweater incorporates a new icon for the Minnesota Wild; the pictogram includes a wild animal, the North Star, evergreen trees, a red sky, the sun and/or moon and a stream.
“This is a special day for hockey fans across Minnesota,” said Minnesota Wild CEO Jac Sperling. “The Wild home sweater reflects the power, energy and speed prevalent in both the Minnesota wilderness and the sport of hockey.”
The home sweater featuring a brilliant color palette exemplifies the Minnesota environment. The Minnesota Wild word mark introduced in January 1998 will be used as the shoulder patch on the team sweater and other applications. The new icon is the crest of the team’s sweater and provides an additional element to the team’s identity program that graphically interprets the meaning of the team’s name. The icon adds flexibility and depth to the team’s overall identity program, complimenting the existing Minnesota Wild word mark.
The official Minnesota Wild team sweater and other Wild merchandise were available immediately following the sweater unveiling in a 30’ x 40’ merchandise tent. Wild merchandise is also available for purchase by calling the team directly at 1-888-WILD-NHL or through the following local retailers on Friday, November 19th: Dave’s Sport Shop, Front Row Sports, Galyan’s, Gold Country, Gold Medal Sports, JC Penney’s, Kohl’s, MarJons, Mervyn’s California, Nick’s, Oshman’s, Scheels, Sportmart, Target (no sweaters) and Westwood Sports.
“The Minnesota Wild logo is the embodiment of the untamed spirit of the Minnesota wilderness – meandering rivers, verdant forests under a canopy of moons and stars,” said NHL Vice President of Consumer Product Marketing Brian Jennings.
The Minnesota Wild, the NHL, New York-based SME Design and hundreds of Minnesota hockey fans that participated in design focus groups combined to create the official design for the Minnesota Wild home sweater. The manufacturer of the Wild sweater is New Hampshire-based Pro Player.
The Minnesota Wild will release the team’s road sweater in mid-2000. The Minnesota Wild home sweater will debut in the fall of 2000 during the club’s inaugural NHL season. For more information on the Minnesota Wild please call 651-222-WILD (9453) or to purchase Minnesota Wild merchandise call 1-888-WILD-NHL.
MINNESOTA WILD ANNOUNCES TICKET PRICING
FOR INAUGURAL 2000-2001 NHL SEASON
[November 19, 1999] --
WILD TO OFFER MORE AFFORDABLE TICKETS THAN ANY OTHER U.S. TEAMMinnesota Wild front office officials announced ticket pricing today for the National Hockey League NHL)team's inaugural 2000-2001 NHL season in the 18,600-seat new Saint Paul Arena. The Minnesota Wild will play a 41-game regular season home schedule in the new Saint Paul Arena with general reserve ticket prices ranging from $10.00 to $64.00.
The Minnesota Wild has the lowest average upper level ticket price for U.S. franchises with approximately one-third of general reserve tickets at or below $26.00. The Wild has the over 1,500-seats priced at $10.00, the lowest ticket price among U.S. NHL franchises (seats with obstructed views in other arenas are not included).
The Minnesota Wild average ticket price of $43.91 for the 2000-2001 NHL season is expected to be below the projected NHL average ticket price for the 2000-2001 NHL season. Minnesota Wild general reserve tickets are available at the following price levels: $10.00, $26.00, $44.00, $54.00 and $64.00. The team will cap season tickets and hold select tickets for individual sale. The Minnesota Wild has a wide-range of seating options and exclusive season ticket holder benefits.
The Arena will also offer premium seating in the Arena Club Level and Suite Levels which include benefits such as reserved parking and non-NHL events. The 64-suites for sale in the new Saint Paul Arena Suite Level sold out in a record eight-weeks. Arena Club Level seating opportunities are available at $2,795.00 and $3,225.00 per season, which include many amenities and exclusive benefits.
"The Minnesota Wild ownership's commitment to providing value for all our fans was the driving force behind our ticket pricing," said Minnesota Wild President Tod Leiweke. "We honored that commitment to our ownership group and our fans by offering the most affordable tickets among U.S. NHL teams, with the lowest priced upper level in the U.S. and over 1,500-seats at $10.00. When the Minnesota Wild team takes the ice next fall in the new Saint Paul Arena's the venue will have the best hockey sightlines in the NHL and immediately be one of the most exciting arena's to watch hockey in North America."
The Minnesota Wild has received over 13,300 season ticket deposits since the club began accepting deposits on June 26, 1997. The club will begin the seat selection process for general reserve deposit holders in December and plans complete the process in the spring of 2000. The club will continue to accept general reserve deposits for the 2000-2001 NHL season when the team begins play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference.
In December, season ticket deposit holders will be mailed information concerning the seat selection process. The Minnesota Wild seat selection process is based upon the season ticket deposit holders assigned priority number.
New Saint Paul Arena Premium Seating LOCATION ANNUAL COST
*Suites $75,000-$140,000 per yearSOLD OUT
*Arena Club Level Seats $2,795 and $3,225 per year
General Reserve Tickets
LOCATION GENERAL RESERVE PRICE PER GAME Lower Level
Sides $64.00 Corners $54.00 Ends $44.00 Upper Level Sides $26.00 Ends $10.00 *Suite and Arena Club Level seat holders receive various amenities and added features, such as parking and non-NHL events.
The new Saint Paul Arena will be fully ADA compliant. Accessible and companion seats will be available for sale in each ticket price category.
For more information about Minnesota Wild General Reserve tickets, please call 651-222-WILD (9453).
WILDLIFE FOREVER HONORS NHL'S MINNESOTA WILD WITH 1999 MAGNIFICENT EAGLE CONSERVATION AWARD
[November 22, 1999] -- Wildlife Forever President and CEO Douglas H. Grann will present Minnesota Wild Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Risebrough and Vice President of Communications Bill Robertson with the 1999 Magnificent Eagle Conservation Award. The award presentation will be held at noon, Monday, November 22, at Mancini's Restaurant, 531 West 7th Street, St. Paul, Minnesota.
"Minnesota Wild has made a commitment to conservation education for all youth in Minnesota and around the country - forever," explains Grann.
"Minnesota Wild's name embodies the great outdoor heritage Minnesotans have come to love. Their name and current efforts in recognizing America's wildlife have already created a positive impression to young people about the wonders and beauty of our natural resources. We are excited they are committed to using professional sports to help get the conservation message out to kids," Grann said.
"We feel it's important to give back to the community," explains Bill Robertson, Vice President of Communications, Minnesota Wild. "We also feel it is very important to teach conservation education to children whenever we can. We're proud to be associated with Wildlife Forever. Receiving this prestigious award is quite an honor. We feel the Minnesota Wild hockey organization will be a great vehicle to get this message out to young people."
Wildlife Forever has awarded the Magnificent Eagle to individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to conservation and educating youth about America's natural resources. Only eight Magnificent Eagle awards have been presented in the organization's history. This is the first time Wildlife Forever has recognized a professional sports organization at this level. The prestigious Magnificent Eagle Conservation Award signifies the highest honor that Wildlife Forever can bestow on any organization.
Representing over 1 million members nationwide, Wildlife Forever, based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has funded over 500 conservation projects in all 50 states since 1987. The mission of Wildlife Forever is to conserve America's wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat, and management of fish and wildlife. To learn more about Wildlife Forever or to become a member, please visit our website at www.wildlifeforever.org , call (612) 833-1522, or email saldileo@aol.com . Our address is:
Wildlife Forever
10365 West 70th Street
Eden Prairie, MN 55344