Minnesota Wild want to freeze fan passion in the coolest campaign ever
By Josh Hill
The Minnesota Wild have concocted the most Minnesotan idea ever to let fans be a part of the action like never before.
Since its inaugural season in 2000, the Minnesota Wild have been one of the most fan-centric organizations not only in hockey but in all of the professional sports in North America. When the North Stars left Minnesota back in the early 90s, it seemed the most blasphemous thing that could possibly happen to the State of Hockey. There isn’t a lower feeling than having your team ripped way, so when the Wild came to Minnesota the fans looking for a place to put their passion flocked to the team.
Minnesota hockey fans have fostered an intense and passionate culture, something that the Wild embraced with open arms. Hockey is religion in Minnesota, and the Wild have created an atmosphere unlike any other.
Wild fans truly live up to the team’s namesake. Whether it’s a random Tuesday night in November or a series-clinching playoff game, step inside the Xcel Energy Center and you’ll hear thousands of individual voices coming together to form nothing but deafening chaos. It’s not noise, it’s the call of the Wild.
The team has taken this to heart, coming up with a “This Is Our Ice” campaign. Fans are encouraged to bring water from their local hockey ponds, rinks, and lakes to the Xcel Energy Center where it will then become part of the Wild home ice. Just a note, if you bring water please make sure it’s no more than three ounces and in an easily portable container.
Hockey is homegrown in Minnesota, so it only makes sense that the ice fans gather around is uniquely theirs. It’s more than just a playing surface; players are skating on the memories of the fans cheering them on. You won’t find synergy like that anywhere else.
Before every home game, the Wild thank their fans for being the best in the NHL. As much as this is commonly said, you get the impression teams sort of have to say this. With the #OurIce campaign, the Wild are showing that the connection between team and fan is truly a special bond. Unbridled, unflinching, and unseen until now.
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Passion for the Wild can’t be silenced. It can, however, be frozen in time.