Minnesota Wild Time Line page32

STANLEY CUP HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER TOUR VISITS TWIN CITIES APRIL 16-17 TO SUPPORT MINNESOTA WILD GRASS ROOTS HOCKEY INITIATIVE

[April 14, 1999] -- The National Hockey League's (NHL) Minnesota Wild announced today that the Stanley Cup will visit the Twin Cities, April 16-17, to launch The Stanley Cup Hockey Fights Cancer Tour, an 18 city, six week tour of North America.

Fans will have the opportunity to get their picture taken with the Stanley Cup on Saturday, April 17. A $2.00 donation is requested to have your picture taken with the Stanley Cup at each stop. Proceeds will be donated to the Chaska Youth Hockey Association, the "Stick It to Breast Cancer" Women's Hockey Tournament and other Minnesota amateur hockey organizations.

As part of the Minnesota Wild Grass Roots Hockey initiative, the Stanley Cup will appear at the following events on Friday, April 16 and Saturday, April 17: (schedule subject to change)

Friday, April 16
Richfield Middle School (not open to public) 1:30-3:00 
p.m.

Saturday, April 17
Chaska Community Center(open to public)2:30-3:30 
p.m.

Saturday, April 17
Bloomington Ice Gardens(open to public)4:00-5:00 
p.m.

Saturday, April 17
Schwan's Super Rink (open to public) 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.		



"We are excited to welcome the most prestigious and recognized 
trophy in all of sports back to Minnesota," said Minnesota Wild 
CEO Jac Sperling. "Winning the Stanley Cup is our ultimate goal, 
and we can't wait for the puck to be dropped for our inaugural 
2000-2001 season in the new St. Paul Arena."

Earlier this season, the hockey community joined together to fight cancer in honor of those who have struggled, or continue to struggle with the disease. Hockey Fights Cancer is an initiative created by the NHL and the National Hockey League Players' Association to raise money and visibility for local cancer efforts, as well as to support the American Cancer Society and the Canadian Cancer Society.

The Stanley Cup is the oldest trophy competed for by professional athletes. Lord Stanley, the Earl of Preston and Governor General of Canada from 1888 to 1893, purchased the Stanley Cup to be given to the winner of Canada's amateur hockey championship. The Montreal Amateur Athletic Association won the first Stanley Cup in 1893. Today, the Stanley Cup weighs 35 pounds and stands approximately three feet in height. It is the only trophy in all of sports that is passed along from player to player the summer the team wins it. It has been won a record 24 times by the Montreal Canadiens and a record 11 times by Henri Richard of Montreal.

Members of the media interested in covering the Stanley Cup's visit to the Twin Cities should contact Bill Robertson at (651) 602-6022 or Aaron Sickman at (651) 602-6009 in the Minnesota Wild Communications Department.

MEDIA ARE ENCOURAGED TO COVER THESE EVENTS

[April 29, 1999] -- The US Men's National hockey team announced its roster for the World Championships in Norway starting May 1. Former Gophers and current NHLers Tom Chorske, Darby Hendrickson, Trent Klatt and Craig Johnson, along with former St. Cloud State defenseman Bret Hedican will be on the team. Chorske and Hendrickson were on the 1996 team that won the bronze medal. By winning all three games in November's qualifying tournament, the US made this year's tournament pool. Florida Panthers coach Terry Murray will be the coach.