THIS DATE IN WILD HISTORY - APRIL 22
Apr 22, 20202013 - Minnesota Wild announces creation of Iowa Wild
This was the day that started it all. At a press conference in Des Moines on this date in 2013, Wild owner Craig Leipold announced the Iowa Wild would be taking the ice in October at Wells Fargo Arena.
“We are excited to announce that the Iowa Wild will begin play in the 2013-14 AHL season,” Leipold said at the time. “Des Moines is an excellent sports market. Wild fan support is excellent not just in the State of Hockey but throughout the Upper Midwest, including Iowa. We know fans in Des Moines will enjoy watching tomorrow’s Minnesota Wild stars. Our team will be entrenched in this community, particularly in youth hockey.”
The team has now played seven seasons in Des Moines, culminating in the team's first-ever franchise playoff appearance in 2019 and the best season in history in 2019-20. The team has fully entrenched itself in the community and since this date in 2013, has turned Des Moines into a hockey town.