Minnesota Wild Time line page27

[January 6, 1999] -- The National Hockey League's (NHL) Minnesota Wild and the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission (MASC) announced today a 26-year partnership agreement that will begin in February of 1999. This agreement, which marks the first partnership of its kind between a private sector professional sports team and a public sector amateur sports organization, will strengthen the development of youth hockey and skating in Minnesota.

The agreement provides the MASC with the use of the new multi-purpose Saint Paul Arena for a number of amateur sports events, with the additional goal of generating greater economic impact from MASC event-related tourism. However, the partnership goes far beyond the use of the new Saint Paul Arena. As part of the agreement, the Minnesota Wild will provide significant support to MASC programs and events, as well as other amateur sports programs. The Minnesota Wild's in-kind support will leverage the team's marketing and administrative resources to help the MASC expand youth hockey skating programs in Minnesota.

"The Minnesota Wild is committed to growing the sport of hockey at the grass roots level, with special emphasis on girls' hockey, increasing diversity and expanding opportunities for disadvantaged youth to participate in hockey programs," said Minnesota Wild CEO Jac Sperling. "We are proud to enter into this agreement with a great organization like the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission. We share a common goal --- a fundamental commitment to youth and the development of hockey in Minnesota --- and our new partnership will give us many new creative ways to achieve our common objectives."

"In working together with the Wild, the MASC will benefit from the resources of professional hockey to enhance the participation of youth in all amateur sports, but especially hockey," added MASC Chair Tom Duffy. "This partnership will help the MASC create and sustain events and programs that reach Minnesota youth and also attract out-of-state economic impact."

In addition to the MASC's use of the new multi-purpose Saint Paul Arena, there will be significant other public uses of the Arena:

· At least 6 days for MASC events (3 weekend events)
· Up to 10 days for other amateur sports clubs and 
associations
· Up to 6 days for family public skating
· Approximately 23 days for Minnesota State High School 
League tournaments
· Up to 10 days for City of Saint Paul events
· Up to 15 days for Saint Paul Convention and Visitors' 
Bureau bookings

The MASC was created in 1987 by the Minnesota State Legislature and its' mission is "to elevate the social and economic benefits of sports to enrich the lives of all Minnesotans." The MASC is considered a national role model because of its proactive approach to creating benefits for and from amateur sports, which include generating economic impact through amateur sports events and programs and fostering public/private partnerships. MASC projects are funded primarily through private sponsors and partnership organizations.

"Minnesota Hockey, as the governing body of youth hockey in Minnesota, laud the efforts of the Minnesota Wild and the MASC to lend a hand to Minnesota Hockey in the development of youth hockey players," said Dave Meisner, Vice President of Publicity and Promotions - Minnesota Hockey, previously known as the Minnesota Amateur Hockey Association. "We will assist these two fine organizations to meet their objectives, by providing information on youth rules and regulations, a necessity, when dealing with youth of all ages. We also are pleased and proud of the fact that Minnesota Hockey 'home grown' Alana Blahoski, Neal Broten, and River Falls neighbor, Karyn Bye are devoting their talents to this effort. Minnesota Hockey wishes the Minnesota Wild and the MASC, 'the best' with this endeavor, and we look forward to working with these partners now, and in the future."

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 75 rinks throughout the state of Minnesota. Featured on the life-size displays are Olympic hockey Gold Medalists Alana Blahoski, Neal Broten and Karyn Bye who will assist in the development of the grass roots hockey program by building awareness and excitement in the game of hockey among Minnesota's youth.

The Minnesota Wild will begin play in the 2000-2001 NHL season in a new first-class multi-purpose arena that will seat 18,600 on the former site of the Saint Paul Civic Center Arena.

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