Since the 2012-13 season, the Minnesota Wild have been almost a perennial playoff team. However, the Wild have routinely lost in the first or qualifying rounds. They've yet to get over the hump and make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. The closest the team got was in 2003. That year, they got swept by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (now the Anaheim Ducks), 4-0, in the Western Conference Finals. That said, all things considered, the Wild haven't done bad considering they're one of the NHL's youngest teams (founded in 2000). Only the Vegas Golden Knights (2017) and Seattle Kraken (2021) are newer. The Wild play at Xcel Energy Center, located in the Northwestern Precinct of Downtown St. Paul. The arena is referred to as "The X" and it opened in 2000. It was built specifically so St. Paul could get an NHL team. With a seating capacity of about 18,000, the X is in-line with most other NHL venues (15-20k seats). In team history, former Wild players Mikko Koivu and Marian Gaborik are probably the most well-known as both are ranked in the top two in terms of total points and goals scored. Koivu, who is from Finland, has also recorded the most games for the Wild at an even 1,000. Today, the Wild's best-known players are left-winger Zach Parise and defensemen Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon. Parise and Suter were both members of the silver-medal-winning US hockey team at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver (Suter's dad was on the famous 1980 team that beat the Soviet Union). Since joining the team in 2012, both Parise and Suter have been key cogs in the Wild's consistent run of playoff appearances. Currently, both are alternate captains. Spurgeon first signed with the Wild earlier, in 2010, and recently signed a $53 million extension that will see him in Minnesota through the 2026-27 season. He and fellow defenseman Jonas Brodin are presently locked up the longest, contract-wise. The four aforementioned players are among the team's highest-paid at this time. read more

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If you have been reading my reviews for a while, you know that I lived in Rochester, MN for two years. My first year as a Minnesotan was the Minnesota Wild's inaugural year. As a result, I have a soft spot for this team. I got cable TV when I first settled in my apartment. However, I wasn't getting a ton of NHL hockey games. I was a huge hockey fan back then. I put the FAN in FANatic. I ended up changing my cable plan to basic and got the NHL game package with DIRECTV, which wasn't AT&T back then, but is now. The guy over the phone was saying that I get NFL games with my base package, which was probably a decent selling point to most Americans. I remember saying to him, "I don't care about football. I need hockey games!" Anyway, I was pleased watching local Wild games on the lone, local FOX channel whenever they were available, and all the away games on DIRECTV. Anyone remember Mike Goldberg, one of the play-by-play Wild hockey announcers on FOX? He always pronounced the last syllable of every word. Some examples: "Hi, I'm Mike Goldber-guh." "Goal by Gabori-k!" "Dow-d is in the faceoff circle." I understood the pain of losing an NHL team and getting it back. I went through it with the Winnipeg Jets. Minnesota lost its Stars team, which ended up in Dallas. When Minnesota got the Wild as its new NHL team, you knew it was the right decision. Minnesotans are diehard hockey fans. They are passionate and breathe hockey. The fanbase is loyal and strong to this day. The team's tagline is fitting and meaningful: Our state. Our team. Our ice. I couldn't get a ticket to see a game at the Xcel Energy Center as a resident of the state. I ended up putting a deposit on season tickets and returned to Canada, forgetting about this deposit for eons... until now. I recently got a game pack and went to my first Wild game. Miracles happen! The Wild have struggled to make it into the playoffs. I hope that they will someday as they continue getting the right mix of players. This year's team has a good mix of experience and talent. I am pleased to support the Wild. Xcel Energy Center is a great place to take in a hockey game. There isn't a bad seat in the house. It's fun and exciting! The food is decent. I can't wait to return soon to take in another game. Go, Wild! (425) read more

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I just recently when to my first Minnesota Wild game of the season, and I was so excited to get seats up close. Compared to some of the other sporting events I've been to, I'm excited to say that the odds of catching a tee shirt are much better! The replays are pretty good, but my favorite has to be the foghorn/lighthouse in the corner. Most of the time I've only heard the sound effect! Be cautious about the nacho cheese from the Club Level, though, because my companion and I were feeling the side effects for 24 hours. read more

This season the team truly leaves a lot to be desired, what with the bizarre trading away of veterans and leaders like Roloson, Demitra, and Radivojevic in order to bring on super young guys who, frankly, are not NHL material. Couple that with the eternally injured Marion Gaborik and the season has been a bit shaky to say the least. But the bright spot in this hockey franchise is the fans, as arguably held hostage as we are. We already lost one NHL team and damnit, we're not letting another go. So we fill the stands and every game gets sold out... which means the back office doesn't feel the need to spend money on quality scorers because they know that we do this. Anyway, the fans are still awesome. Don't even bother with the 100 level (or, gods help you, the club level) if you're looking for the real fans. Most of those seats are taken up by corporate suits looking to impress (presumably Canadian) clients or clueless dudes looking to impress their bored dates by flashing their cash about. No no, head on up to the 200 level with the rest of us rubes. Strike up a conversation with your neighbor on the relative worth of Boogie vs. Bruno. Holler at the refs from the top of the X. Just, for the love of all that is holy, wait for a stoppage in play before leaving or taking your seat. Otherwise I might throw beer on you. read more

Nice arena, high priced tickets, insanely high concession prices, ok team, friendly fans, over the top rude security, police everywhere, rude ushers. Probably one of the worst overall entertainment values in the state. Definitely the worst hockey entertainment value in the state. Fans are not valued at all by the team, as is evidenced by the fact they've played many games with TV coverage, but no fans in attendance. They do not play games with fans in attendance, but no TV coverage. read more

That's for signing Parise and Suter for close to $200 million dollars for 13 year contracts, if that doesn't show commitment, I don't know what will lol. Used to be a boring defensive team to watch, but now exciting. Always been a hotbed of hockey, a rare natural in the US. Having the best college hockey program, but that's for another review ;) Will be tough to play the Blues first round. read more

Well, well, well, another Minnesota sports team going down the drain. Boo. Hiss. One bright spot if you were at the game last night Tuesday Feb 28, 2012 is that my 6 yr old son was chosen to be "Mini-Nordy" the Wild's mini mascot!!!! How freakin cool is that! So here's the review based on our experience with that; First the staff - Excellent beyond excellent. We were very well informed from the day we got the phone call to the end of it all what was going to take place. Everyone was super excited for him (keep in mind that there is a mini mascot every game) and truly kept an eagle eye on him the whole time. Second the experience - He was dressed in a mini version of Nordy's costume and got to go into the bowels of the arena. Even got to right up to the ice which is cool for a kid who just started playing hockey himself. Next we met up with Nordy himself and got a few one on one pics. Then he and Nordy went up to greet the fans - that's when the fun began! Everyone stops Nordy for a pic so my son (in his mini costume) was in every single one of these pics. The two of them were running up and down the concourse Hi-Fivin people, playing jokes, jumping around, and acting like fools. My son was in his glory! After that he and Nordy went up to meet with the guy who got to yell "Let's Play Hockey!!" (different guy every game). I think my son yelled it louder than he did. Pictures were taken up there too. Then up to the 2nd level to greet more fans, joke around more, and act like fools again. After this he and Nordy were shown on the big screen waving (complete with his name and everything). Then my son decided he was going to dance, and dance he did. He was dancing and jumping around and messing around with Nordy behind his back. Nordy turned and I swear to god he almost broke character by laughing so hard. He had to turn it into a Nordy laugh so he wouldn't. Then back to the basement for the removal of the costume. After which we got to go to our free seats and watch the rest of the terrible game. And terrible it was. At one point my son (6yrs old and just starting hockey remember) turned to me and said "Dad, these guys don't know how to play hockey". I wish I could've said something else but all I could say was "You're right son". Overall it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life and a memory that will last forever. Excel Center never disapoints, a hockey game is always fun, and the fans are a riot. One hint for you - get the ceaser salad from the Davanni's stand. For a sports arena it's a good value and a lot of food. Hopefully the Wild will start playing well cause we Minnesotans could use a winner. read more

I will not actually review the team's play itself, simply because I don't want to break Yelp with a profanity laced tirade that would require censoring beyond belief. But, I will review the atmosphere at the X for a game, parking/downtown situation, food, vendors, and staff. We'll start with parking. There are a few ramps around town you can use, and some pay lots. River Center ramp is always an easy, close option. Lawson Commons Ramp is another option right down 5th a bit by the Landmark Center and there are a few shuttle services at bars in the area for those don't want to park and get brought to the game (and picked up of course). Shamrocks has a shuttle, Josephs, Alarys and O'Gara's for sure - off the top of my head. Food in the arena, as you'd expect, is pricey. There are some decent options besides the normal standby arena/stadium counters. Jack Daniels Old No 7 is in there and I normally take a pass on it. It's in Club Level if you have a seat for that level, but, I generally pass all together on it (think Applebees but far more pricey). The Bud Light fan zone is a place to get an over priced beer and burger. Club and Breakaway Carvery are the options I'd recommend for those looking to eat lighter. They're meat carving stations to get a sandwich and salad. The Roadhouse is another place I'd actually recommend. Brisket, sweet tater fries and solid flavorful options. There are assorted smoothie places as well for those not looking to have booze, or get a fruity booze drink. Lots of assorted "specialty" stands as well to hit anyone's taste for the night - Philly Cheesesteak, sausage, deep fried stuff, and ice cream/mini doughnut places to name a few. And oh yeah, if you really feel stupid, you can overpay for Davanni's. There are plenty of places to pick up overpriced gear and merchandise. So, fear not if you're going there and want to pick up a keep sake. The staff there, ushers to security to relations crew are great. I don't have a single complaint about any of them, and I've gotten to know a lot of them really well with how often I go to games and how often I'm there for work. Atmosphere. I've been here for EVERY imaginable situation - preseason to conference finals. A hockey game here, even if the team is playing miserably (like now), is something that any hockey fan should see at least once. Great atmosphere, no bad seats at all, the new jumbo tron is far easier to look at than the old one and the music at stoppages isn't ear busting like it has been in some other arena's I've been to. If you're a diehard fan, and the Wild somehow get into the playoffs, you have to go just once. The atmosphere for the game and the city is something you just have to experience. Other fans will happily take pictures for you with the rink in the background, or ushers will gladly assist you too. Why 4 stars and not 5? I've been to other, better arenas with a better atmosphere and better crowd feel. Chicago's UC is one you CANNOT MISS. Even non hockey fans I've gone there with talk about it as an experience they'll replay forever in their head. Some others in Canada obviously too. But, the X for a Wild game is easily one of the best sporting venues and events. read more

Just wanted to say that the Minnesota Wild and #3 CHARLIE COYLE are a first class act. We just recently moved to the Twin Cities back in May, so we are still fairly new. My family and I are looking into buying season tickets... so we were given 2 tickets for the experience, and to see if we liked the seats. After the game with the Blues, my son Ethan (10) was just taking in the experience when Mr. Coyle picked him out of a crowd and gave him a signed puck. This really made Ethan's night... it was so nice to see his smile, and how excited he got. He wanted to call his mom right away, and he is going to write a paper at school about his first Wild game. THANK YOU MR. COYLE, AND THE MINNESOTA WILD! :) read more

This team has everything going for it. A great arena, loyal fan base, and tons of local talent to choose from. Unfortunately this team has underachieved for most of their short existence. From bad moves in the front office, to bad player decisions on the ice this team never fails to disappoint. They have spent a lot of money to bring some top talent but so far the results have yet to be seen. Could the team turn around in the future? Absolutely, but as of right now this team is just another one of Minnesota's mediocre franchises. read more

Christopher our host was day one on the job. He took the best personal care of us. Five stars for christopher and Minnesota Wild!

It is merely the beginning of the 2010-2011 hockey season, and although we may not have the bright, shining *cough* perma-injured star of Marion Gaborik, Coach Richards is doing a fairly good job of whipping some of these young guys into shape...they almost look like hockey players! I'm still finding it a challenge to remember everyone's new numbers--I see 11 and think Nolan, 24 for Boogie, 41 for Skoula, 5 for Johnsson (Oh who am I kidding: I couldn't be happier those last 2 guys are gone, and if the worst thing is I have trouble remembering that Zanon is 5 and Falk is 41, then so be it). Clutterbuck has led the NHL for the last 2 season in hits, and he'll likely be on top again this year; the Koivu-Brunette-Miettinen line is pretty awesome these days; Lattendresse has been busy making Montreal wish they never traded him; and Zanon must have bruises all over his body from the hundreds of shots he blocks! We have the ingredients for a great team, and although we have some young guys, with the addition of vets like Cullen and Madden, we might just be a goaltender away from a championship team. So I recommend all of you Minnesota hockey fans get out to the X this year and cheer on the Wild. There isn't a bad seat in the house--that is unless you're sitting in front of a drunk guy with a full beer and bad balance. But in all seriousness...there are great times to be had watching the Wild! read more

The best atmosphere for MN sports. As a HUGE sports fan, this is the one event where sctual fans go to the games...no fairweathers or idiots like the Twins n Queens! read more

Nice arena. Bad team. Where do they get all these small scrawny Canadian kids??? Luckily the arena makes up for it with plenty of booze and food. Fans are losing interest. Other teams are worse. Islanders, Thrashers, Blues, Coyotes, etc.. are all losing money and fan interest. read more

One of the best places in the country to watch a very average hockey club.