MINNESOTA WILD ANNOUNCES NEW ECHL AFFILIATION
Sep 9, 2014MINNESOTA WILD ANNOUNCES NEW ECHL AFFILIATION
2014 Kelly Cup Champion Alaska Aces Partner With Wild
Des Moines, IA – The Iowa Wild, in conjunction with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild and the ECHL’s Alaska Aces, on Tuesday announced a new affiliation agreement.
“We are excited to announce a new affiliation agreement with the Alaska Aces,” said Jim Mill, Minnesota Wild Director of Minor League Operations and Iowa Wild General Manager. “The Aces have enjoyed tremendous success in the ECHL, winning three Kelly Cup Championships in the last nine seasons including this past season, and will provide the Minnesota Wild organization with another outstanding option to develop our players. Aces Head Coach Rob Murray has enjoyed tremendous success at every level of professional hockey and we look forward to working with him and the Alaska Aces organization.”
Under the affiliation agreement, Alaska serves as a resource for the development efforts and personnel needs of both the Iowa and Minnesota Wild. The agreement allows for Wild prospects to be assigned to the Aces for developmental purposes throughout the season. Minnesota’s primary development affiliate is the Iowa Wild in the American Hockey League (AHL). The Wild also has an affiliation agreement with the Quad City Mallards in the Central Hockey League (CHL). The Aces will also have an NHL affiliation with the St. Louis Blues this season.
“It’s an exciting day to finalize an agreement with two NHL teams who are committed with their direction to prospect development,” said Aces Managing Member Terry Parks. “The familiarity of the Blues organization and development structure, along with the geography of Minnesota's farm system, were both attractive opportunities. We’re proud to enter this as a development partner of two esteemed NHL clubs.”
Iowa will play a home-and-home preseason set against the Chicago Wolves. The two teams will meet at Wells Fargo Arena in the first meeting, set for Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. There will be a full-team autograph session following the preseason game. Iowa Wild season ticket holders (full, 21-game, 10-game) will be admitted to the preseason game free of charge and will also be able to pick up their season tickets starting at 4:30 p.m. – when the doors officially open for the game. Preseason tickets are on sale at the Wells Fargo Arena box office or by calling (515) 564-8700. Advanced tickets are priced at $6.00 until the day of the game, when the price increases to $8.00. A portion of the proceeds from a silent auction will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Iowa. Parking is available in the North lot for $7.00 for all patrons.
Iowa wraps up its two-game set with Chicago at the Wolves practice facility in Hoffman Estates, IL. The Wolves will host the Wild on Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. at the Triphahn Community Center Ice Arena, located at 1685 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL. Wild fans interested in attending the game may purchase tickets for $8.00 at the main counter of the Triphahn Community Center.
The Iowa Wild 2014-15 season is presented by Mercy Medical Center and begins on the road Oct. 10 in San Antonio. Fans may purchase seats to the Home Opener on Friday, Oct. 17 against the Milwaukee Admirals at Wells Fargo Arena. Season tickets to see the Wild play at Wells Fargo Arena start at just $9 per game. For more information on tickets, including ticket plans and group seating, please contact the Wild ticket office by calling 515-564-8700 or go to www.iowawild.com.
-- IOWA WILD --
· BECOME AN IOWA WILD SEASON TICKET HOLDER
For more info on season ticket packages call 515-564-8700 or email ticketing@iowawild.com
· IOWA WILD IN THE COMMUNITY
To schedule a Wild appearance, contact Jenna Bieri, marketing and community relations manager, at 515-564-8714 or email jenna.bieri@iowawild.com.
· IOWA WILD CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS
To create a customized advertising package for your company contact Brian Mather, VP of Sales, at 515-564-8720 or email at brian.mather@iowawild.com.