Minnesota Wild Headlines: Tuesday Newsday

Happy Tuesday, readers. The air in St. Paul is taking on the sharp bite. Iron Range Red begins to dot the leaves on trees throughout the State of Hockey. With training camp a mere week away, it’s time for me to bring you Minnesota Wild Headlines from throughout the State of Hockey.

Bob Suter:

It is with deep sadness that I report the death of Bob Suter, the 57-year-old father of Minnesota Wild defenseman Ryan Suter. Reported by Andy Baggot of the Wisconsin State Journal, information is still being gathered.

Initial Reports say that Mr. Suter died of an apparent heart attack at the Capitol Ice Arena in Middleton, Wisconsin. Bob was part owner of the arena.

As many of you recall, Bob Suter was a defenseman on the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team that famously beat the Russian Men’s team. Now part of American Hockey lore, the “Miracle on Ice” was adapted in to arguably the greatest hockey movie of all time,  Miracle, released in 2004.

Following a brief professional hockey career, including time spent with the Minnesota North Stars’ system; Bob went on to coach youth hockey in Wisconsin, also owning a sporting goods store in Madison.

The entire staff at Gone Puck Wild would like to extend their sympathy, thoughts, and prayers to Ryan and his family.

Arrests Made in Derek Boogard Case:

Two Men have been arrested today in connection with the death of former Minnesota Wild enforcer Derek Boogard. Boogard, who was a fan favorite throughout his time with the Wild, also played briefly with the New York Rangers. In May 2011, Boogard was found dead at his Twin Cities home from a reported Alcohol and Opiate overdose while recovering from one of his many concussions. Boogard’s death and the following lawsuits raised awareness of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated blows to the head, in the hockey community. Today, former minor league hockey player Jordan Hart was arrested in New York and charged with supplying prescription pain killers to Boogard. Utah based Physician’s Assistant Oscar Johnson was also taken in to custody as part of the investigation, charged with writing monthly prescriptions of Percocet to Hart on a monthly basis.

Wild to Affiliate with Alaska Aces of ECHL

Finally, A bright spot of news for the Minnesota Wild, as they announced a new affiliation today. The Wild will officially affiliate with the Alaska Aces of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL.)

The reigning Kelly Cup champions will join the Iowa Wild of the AHL and the Quad City Mallards of the CHL as members of the Minnesota Wild farm system for the 2014-2015 season.  The Aces play their home games at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, AK as members of the ECHL’s western conference.

The St. Louis Blues are also affiliates of the Aces for the 2014-2015 season.

Stick with Gone Puck Wild Throughout the season as we bring you quality content for the Minnesota Wild