played for the Wild

30 January 14, 2021 Let’s Play Hockey www.stateofhockey.com

Wildabout theWild– MINNESOTA WILD FAN Q AND A –

Brad Newell Plymouth, MN

Age: 63

Family of 7: Myself, wife, 2 adult kids, 2 spouses and granddaughter.

What is your hockey background?

Played youth and adult hockey, coaching for over 25 years (still doing it) and referee for over 15 years (still doing it).

How long have you been a Wild Sea-

son ticket holder? Since 2000 (20 years).

What section are you located in? 106

What was your initial feeling when it was announced Minnesota was bringing

back NHL hockey? Super excited! After the North Stars left town, I went to Minnesota Moose games.

How many games do you attend a

year? 25-30.

What is your favorite food to get at

the game? Nachos or popcorn. And a beer.

Do you have any pre-Wild game rit-

uals? Quick walk around the arena, get a beer and get in our seats before the national anthem(s).

What is the most memorable game

you have been to? I have a couple of games that rise to the top.

The first game of the 2000 season when the Wild played the Philadelphia Flyers in front of the first of many sell-out crowds. It was great to have professional hockey back in the State of Hockey.

But, my favorite would probably be the outdoor games at TCF Stadium against the Blackhawks. It was great weather for outdoor hockey with my wife, daughter and son-in-law. GREAT experience.

Who is your all-time favorite Wild

player and why? Zach Parise. Love the hustle and gritty play.

Who is No. 2 on your list? Brent Burns.

What is your favorite piece of Wild

memorabilia? A panoramic photo of the opening puck drop of the first regular season game in 2000 along with my ticket stub. And the jersey that I received for being the 15,000,000th fan last year.

What is you favorite Wild memo-

ry? Taking my kids to the games when they played youth/high school hockey and watching them learn from the pros so they could make their game better and more enjoyable.

It also was date-night for my wife and I and we met some great fellow season ticket holders. Several great friendships have grown out of those chance meetings.

What do you love most about attend-

ing Wild games? We love watching the players, talking to our fellow hockey fans and being a part of a great experience.

Stephen and Grant Belde of Anchorage, Alaska are big Wild fans. It doesn’t matter how far away you are, the Wild always bring you home. Stephen and Grant’s favorite player is Ryan Suter.

State of Hockey Anthem

The State of Hockey Anthem debuted with the start of the 2000-2001 inaugural Wild season. In the State of Hockey, where the tradition of our game runs deep, these lyrics symbolize the elements of Minnesota’s rich hockey heritage. Since the first puck drop, the Anthem has been featured as part of the game presentation at Wild home games. There have been various versions of the piece, and each one embodies the pride we have in the game of hockey and the communities and lives it touches throughout our great state.

Anthem Lyrics

We were raised With the stick And a pair of blades On the ice we cut our teeth We took our knocks In the penalty box Our mother was the referee

This sport was here Before we came It will be here when we’re gone The game’s in our blood And our blood’s in the game Lay us down under A frozen pond We will fight to the end We will stand and defend Our flag flying high and free We were born the child Of the strong and Wild In the State, the State of Hockey

A big blue line runs around our state A line that can’t be crossed The day they try to take this game Is the day the gloves come off

We will fight to the end We will stand and defend Our flag flying high and free We were born the child Of the strong and Wild In the State, the State of Hockey.