The Minnesota Wild were officially awarded an NHL expansion franchise on June 25, 1997, marking the return of professional hockey to Minnesota seven years after the North Stars relocated to Dallas. ¹⁾

The team began its first season of play in 2000–01, competing as a member of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference. ²⁾

Jacques Lemaire was named the first head coach in franchise history, leading the team through its formative years and emphasizing a disciplined, defensive-minded system known as “the trap.” ³⁾

In their first-ever playoff appearance in 2003, the Wild became the first team in NHL history to win two seven-game series in a single postseason after trailing 3-1 in both. ⁴⁾

The Wild secured their first division championship during the 2007–08 season, finishing at the top of the Northwest Division with 98 points. ⁵⁾

The nickname “Wild” was chosen from six finalists in a fan contest; the other options considered were the Blue Ox, Freeze, Northern Lights, Voyageurs, and White Bears. ⁶⁾

Originally funded by Bob Naegele Jr., the franchise was sold in 2008 to Craig Leipold, who had previously owned the Nashville Predators. ⁷⁾

The team’s home arena, the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, opened on September 29, 2000, and was built on the site of the former Saint Paul Civic Center. ⁸⁾

The Wild earned their first-ever win at the Xcel Energy Center on October 18, 2000, defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning in a high-scoring 6–5 game. ⁹⁾

The record for the largest crowd at a Wild home game was set on May 6, 2014, when 19,416 fans attended a playoff game against the Chicago Blackhawks. ¹⁰⁾

To enhance fan comfort, the Xcel Energy Center completed a massive project in 2016 to replace every single seat in the building with new cushioned seating. ¹¹⁾

The Minnesota Wild’s home was the first NHL venue to offer AT&T Wi-Fi to fans, providing nearly 300 access points throughout the seating and concession areas. ¹²⁾

Encircling the arena concourse is a “State of Hockey” tribute featuring jerseys from every boys' and girls' high school hockey team in the state of Minnesota. ¹³⁾

The construction of the Xcel Energy Center utilized a design-assist approach for its mechanical systems, which required self-performing the plumbing and HVAC piping for the 18,000-seat facility. ¹⁴⁾

The primary logo was designed by graphic artist Stephen O'Laughlin, who intended to capture the ruggedness of the Minnesota wilderness and the state's outdoor lifestyle. ¹⁵⁾

As a tribute to the departed Minnesota North Stars, the “eye” of the animal silhouette in the Wild's primary logo is depicted as a shining North Star. ¹⁶⁾

The team's official colors include “Iron Range Red,” “Forest Green,” “Harvest Gold,” and “Minnesota Wheat,” each named to reflect the state’s natural resources and heritage. ¹⁷⁾

Since its inception in 2009, the Minnesota Wild Foundation has distributed over $5.9 million in grants to local hockey organizations and children’s medical charities. ¹⁸⁾

The team’s “Split the Pot” raffle program has dispersed more than $7.9 million to local charities through in-game fundraising at home matches. ¹⁹⁾

A primary mission of the Wild Foundation is supporting pediatric medical causes, serving as a vital funding source for families and health initiatives across the state. ²⁰⁾

The “Little Wild Learn to Play” program is designed for children aged 5–8 who have never played organized hockey, providing them with full equipment and professional instruction. ²¹⁾

During the 2023–24 season, the Wild Foundation distributed nearly $600,000 in direct grants to 21 different charities, including various youth hockey associations. ²²⁾

In recent years, the Wild Foundation has allocated approximately 28% of its total annual giving specifically toward Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts within the sport. ²³⁾

The Wild Foundation balances its annual giving between health initiatives and hockey development, with approximately 51% of funds going to children's health charities. ²⁴⁾

Beyond game-day raffles, the team hosts major annual events such as “Whiskey & Wine with the Wild” and “Wild Off The Tee” to raise money for community programs. ²⁵⁾

Marian Gaborik remains the franchise’s all-time leader in goals, having netted 219 pucks during his tenure from 2000 to 2009. ²⁶⁾

Mikko Koivu holds the record for the most total points in Wild history, finishing his career in Minnesota with 709 points over 1,028 games. ²⁷⁾

Kirill Kaprizov set the franchise record for the most points in a single season during the 2021–22 campaign, totaling 108 points. ²⁸⁾

Jared Spurgeon has played nearly 1,000 regular-season games for the Wild, cementing himself as one of the most durable and productive defensemen in team history. ²⁹⁾

Since joining the league, Kirill Kaprizov has maintained an elite scoring pace, reaching the 450-point milestone in just 373 games. ³⁰⁾

Wes Walz holds the franchise record for short-handed goals, scoring 14 times while the team was at a numerical disadvantage. ³¹⁾

Norwegian-born Mats Zuccarello has become one of the team’s top all-time scorers, surpassing 360 points during his seven seasons with the club. ³²⁾

Defenseman Jonas Brodin is one of the longest-tenured active players on the roster, having spent 14 consecutive seasons with the Wild organization. ³³⁾

Young star Matt Boldy has quickly ascended the franchise ranks, scoring 131 goals in his first 336 games through early 2026. ³⁴⁾

The 2021–22 Minnesota Wild season was the most successful in team history in terms of standings, as they achieved a record-breaking 113 points. ³⁵⁾

In 2021, Kirill Kaprizov became the first player in Minnesota Wild history to win the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's top rookie. ³⁶⁾

Future Hall of Fame goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury joined the Wild in 2022, reaching significant career milestones in wins and games played while in a Minnesota uniform. ³⁷⁾

In 2004, ESPN named the Xcel Energy Center the best overall sports venue in the United States, citing its atmosphere, sightlines, and fan experience. ³⁸⁾

The Wild are central to “Hockey Day Minnesota,” an annual statewide celebration that has been held at various outdoor locations since 2007. ³⁹⁾

The Wild’s practice facility, TRIA Rink, is located on the rooftop of a repurposed Macy’s building in downtown St. Paul, featuring a unique urban training environment. ⁴⁰⁾

In 2023, the state of Minnesota launched official Wild-themed specialty license plates, with proceeds benefiting the Minnesota Wild Foundation. ⁴¹⁾

The “State of Hockey” slogan was officially adopted by the team at its launch to celebrate Minnesota's deep-rooted cultural connection to the sport. ⁴²⁾

The Wild’s mascot, Nordy, is a creature of unknown species with a green “W” on his forehead, and is frequently ranked among the most energetic mascots in the NHL. ⁴³⁾

Through the Gabe Fleming Memorial Hockey Scholarship Fund, the Wild Foundation helps provide financial assistance to youth hockey players who might otherwise be priced out of the game. ⁴⁴⁾

To join the league in 1997, the Wild ownership group paid an expansion fee of $80 million, a stark contrast to the $650 million paid by the Seattle Kraken decades later. ⁴⁵⁾