The Minnesota Wild, along with FOX Sports North and Minnesota Hockey, announce the outdoor games for the Ninth Annual Wells Fargo Hockey Day Minnesota will take place on Saturday, Jan. 17, at Saint Paul’s Holman Field, commemorating the second century of prep hockey competition in the Capital City. Proceeds of the event will benefit Saint Paul Youth Hockey and Serving Our Troops.

The first game will feature established and emerging programs. The Saint Paul Johnson boys’ high school team, whose program celebrated 100 years last season, will face off against Luverne, whose boys’ team made its first MSHSL State Tournament appearance in 2014.

The second game will feature perennial state tourney combatants St. Thomas Academy and Hill-Murray. The final game at Holman Field will feature the girls’ teams from Cretin-Derham Hall and the Duluth Northern Stars.

Hockey Day Minnesota will be capped off as the Minnesota Wild face off against the Arizona Coyotes at 8 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center, a half mile from Holman Field.

“We are thrilled to bring Wells Fargo Hockey Day Minnesota 2015 to Saint Paul’s Holman Field,” said Wild Vice President of Brand Content and Communications John Maher. “This is the perfect way to commemorate prep hockey’s second century in Saint Paul. It will be a day of celebration, from puck drop of the first high school game until the final horn sounds at that night’s Wild game.”

“Saint Paul is known for being both the capital of the State of Hockey and for supporting our service members and their families,” said Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman. “I can’t think of a better way to combine these two qualities than by celebrating Hockey Day Minnesota at Holman Field. The Minnesota Wild has always been a great partner and this is just the latest example of their commitment to Saint Paul, our service members, and their families.”

The outdoor games will be played on a refrigerated rink, set against the backdrop of Holman Field in Saint Paul. Events surrounding Hockey Day Minnesota will honor family members and soldiers of the Minnesota National Guard 34th Combat Aviation Brigade and 2-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion, based at Holman Field, who recently deployed to Kuwait.

“Hockey fans have been eagerly anticipating news regarding our ninth annual Hockey Day Minnesota event,” said Mike Dimond, FOX Sports North Senior Vice President and General Manager. “We are excited to bring the outdoor games back to St. Paul and especially proud to pay tribute to the men and women who serve our country by showcasing the Minnesota National Guard at Holman Field and with special features from Kuwait. This should be a special year.”

“The Minnesota National Guard is pleased to be a part of Hockey Day Minnesota 2015,” said Col. Kevin Olson, Director of Communications. “This event showcases how Minnesotans statewide connect to our military service members and families through hockey. Holman Field is a unique venue that will allow hockey fans to meet in person National Guard soldiers and airmen who serve our nation, state and communities.”

Hockey Day Minnesota is partnering with Serving Our Troops for this historic event, linking hockey in Minnesota to our soldiers and families. Since 2004, Serving Our Troops has been providing a special message from home for our Minnesota National Guard in the form of dinner with the their families, completing 10 projects and serving nearly 80,000 meals around the globe. Hockey Day Minnesota will include unique interactions with our soldiers and families as our communities drop the puck for a truly special message from home.

“I am very pleased with the selection of St. Paul Downtown Airport as the site for Hockey Day Minnesota,” said Metropolitan Airports Commission CEO Jeff Hamiel. “It’s a fun event for a great cause, and I look forward to welcoming participants to the airport.”

Wells Fargo Hockey Day Minnesota 2015 on FOX Sports North will include a full day of hockey-related programming designed as a celebration of the game from peewees to pros. Ticket information for Hockey Day Minnesota 2015 will be announced at a later date.