Confirmed: Minnesota Wild to Host 2015-2016 Stadium Series Game
Today, the National Hockey League confirm something we all knew. The Minnesota Wild will take on the Chicago Blackhawks February 21st, 2016 in a stadium series game at TCF Bank Stadium.
We finally have our outdoor hockey game, Minnesota Wild fans. You’ve probably seen articles floating around the rumor that the Wild will play outdoors next year, but today it’s official. The Minnesota Wild will cap off 2016’s Hockey Day Minnesota with a Coors Light Stadium Series Game.
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The venue has been officially set as the 52,525 seat TCF Bank Stadium on the University of Minnesota campus. The Stadium, home to Minnesota Golden Gopher football, has previously hosted a Gopher men’s hockey game.
According to Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the NHL wanted the Dallas Stars to visit Minnesota for the game, but the Wild requested the Chicago Blackhawks instead. Their wish was granted, as the perpetual playoff contenders will play its 3rd outdoor game in as many years.
Personally, I rather would have seen the Winnipeg Jets visit, given the budding rivalry between the two teams, but I certainly understand and won’t argue with a marquee team coming to visit.
Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold has made it quite clear to the state of hockey that he wants to host the Winter Classic, but this is a huge step. Here’s what he had to say in a letter to fans released on the Wild website.
"“We’re thrilled that the NHL has awarded a 2016 Coors Light Stadium Series outdoor game to Minnesota. Congratulations, you deserve this chance to showcase and celebrate our favorite game in the great outdoors on a national stage. The recent Hockey Day Minnesota events all around the state showed once again how the outdoor game is in our blood.We’re confident that we’ll be awarded a Winter Classic someday soon. But we’ll enjoy this one too – the first-ever outdoor professional game in the state. And when the Minnesota Wild hit the ice for our Stadium Series game next season, we’ll all be warmed by a great deal of pride watching our boys out there, no matter the weather.”-Minnesota Wild owner Craig Liepold"
The NHL also announced that the Colorado Avalanche will host the other stadium series game, taking on the Detroit Red Wings at Coors Field. The Montreal Canadiens will visit Foxborough, Massachusetts for a Winter Classic match-up with the Boston Bruins at Gillette Stadium
What are your thoughts, Wild fans? Are you excited for the game?