THIS DATE IN WILD HISTORY - APRIL 1
Apr 1, 20202019 – The Wild Wire
Wild broadcaster Joe O’Donnell breaks down the Wild’s recent stretch of play as the team makes a push for its first-ever Calder Cup Playoff appearance, while also taking a look at the recent signings the Wild made as college and junior seasons conclude. To read the full article, click here.
2018 – Minnesota Recalls Carson Soucy
At the tail end of the 2017-18 season, defenseman Carson Soucy received the call to head up to Minnesota as the Wild made its push for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Soucy made his NHL debut just a few days later and played seven games in 2018, including four in the playoffs. Soucy made the Wild out of training camp in 2019 and was a staple on the blueline throughout the season.
2017 – Kunin Shines in First Few Games with Iowa
A much-heralded Minnesota Wild draft pick, Luke Kunin signed an entry-level contract after concluding his sophomore season at Wisconsin and he couldn’t have made a bigger splash in his home debut. Kunin scored three goals in his Wells Fargo Arena debut, becoming the first rookie in Wild history to record a hat-trick. A first-round pick in 2016, Kunin led the next wave of Wild prospects. To read the full feature from Tom Witosky, click here.
2016 – Iowa Wild (4) vs. Manitoba Moose (2)
In an early hole, Iowa eventually doubled the Manitoba Moose on this date in 2016. Manitoba scored just 18 seconds into the contest but the Wild quickly responded as Grayson Downing scored his 18th of the season. Two goals in the second gave the Wild a 3-1 lead, but another early goal in the third pulled the Moose within one. But Christoph Bertschy sealed the victory, potting an empty-netter with just more than a minute to go. Forward Mario Lucia recorded two points, his first professional points, in just his second AHL contest.
2014 – Gabriel, Brassart Sign with Iowa
For fan favorite Kurtis Gabriel, it all started on April 1, 2014, as the forward signed an Amateur Try-Out Agreement with the Wild following four seasons with the Owen Sound Attack. Gabriel turned his ATO into parts of five seasons with the Wild, where he became the team’s all-time leader in penalty minutes. Brassart joined the Wild after five seasons in the WHL and played parts of three seasons in Des Moines.