SAINT PAUL -- Demonstrating its commitment to enhancing the development and visibility of girls' and women's hockey in the State of Hockey, the Minnesota Wild today announced it will provide far-ranging support of the Whitecaps in their inaugural NWHL season in 2018-19, bringing added visibility to the NWHL, its newest organization and women's hockey. This includes hosting the team's games and practices at TRIA Rink; the Wild sharing their extensive resources, including support in marketing, promotions, communications, social and digital media, and community relations; and pairing of the clubs' regular season home openers on Oct. 6.

"The Wild has been a proud supporter of the Minnesota Whitecaps since their inception in 2004," said Jamie Spencer, executive vice president of business development of the Minnesota Wild. "As the Whitecaps get set to debut in the NWHL this season at TRIA Rink, the Wild is proud to shine an even brighter light on this great team so girls across the State of Hockey can see that they can achieve the dream of playing professional hockey."

Among the cross-promotional efforts of the organizations, the Whitecaps will participate with the Wild at the Minnesota State Fair and in a series of youth hockey initiatives led by the Wild, including Girls Hockey Weekend presented by Schwan's Home Service, Inc., the Faceoff for Fitness school assembly program and the Little Wild Learn to Play Program presented by Hy-Vee.

In addition, the Whitecaps' first-ever NWHL regular season game will now be part of a joint celebration marking the home openers of both teams. The Whitecaps' historic game on Saturday, Oct. 6 against the Metropolitan Riveters at TRIA Rink has been moved to 4 p.m., so hockey fans can take part in that event before the Wild face the Golden Knights in their home opener at Xcel Energy Center at 7 p.m. Season tickets for the club's eight regular season games at TRIA Rink are available now at NWHL.zone/tickets.

The NWHL, which began in 2015, expanded in May from its Founding Four franchises by purchasing the Whitecaps. The league owns and operates the club, with assistance from league-hired employees based in Minnesota.

"Starting with our All-Star Game and the Whitecaps' NWHL launch earlier this year, the Wild have been incredibly supportive, and we're deeply appreciative that they're increasing their participation in the Whitecaps' inaugural season," said NWHL Commissioner Dani Rylan.

Added original Whitecaps player Winny Brodt Brown, "The Whitecaps are looking forward to teaming up with the Wild to advance the game of hockey across all levels, and to partnering with them on many projects to benefit our community."

The Wild-Whitecaps alignment is the third of its kind for the NWHL. The New Jersey Devils formed a partnership in October of 2017 with the Riveters, and two months later, Pegula Sports and Entertainment -- owners of the Buffalo Sabres and Bills, among other area sports teams -- became the first private owners of an NWHL team when they purchased the Buffalo Beauts.



About the Minnesota Whitecaps

Founded in 2004, the Whitecaps begin NWHL play in the 2018-19 season with a team that includes U.S. Olympic gold medalists Hannah Brandt, Kendall Coyne Schofield and Lee Stecklein. Season tickets for the club's eight regular season games at TRIA Rink are available now at NWHL.zone/tickets. Follow them on Twitter and Facebook @WhitecapsHockey and on Instagram at @mnwhitecaps.



About TRIA Rink

TRIA Rink is located on the fifth floor of Treasure Island Center. This unique redevelopment project saw the transformation of a 1960s era department store, which had been vacant since 2013, into a modern, mixed-use facility. Floor-to-ceiling windows replaced a full-brick front, offering sweeping views of Wabasha Street and parts of the downtown Saint Paul skyline. TRIA Rink is a true community asset with six public locker rooms and seating for 1,200. Up to 5,000 hours of ice time will be available to the public each year, driving more than 600,000 people to downtown Saint Paul each year. Tenants include the Minnesota Wild, Hamline University men's and women's hockey teams and the NWHL's Minnesota Whitecaps.



About the National Women's Hockey League

Established in 2015, the NWHL became the first professional women's hockey league in North America to pay its players and share in revenue from select apparel sales. The mission of the league is to promote and develop women's hockey, increase participation and interest in the sport at all levels, and shine a light on the role models that fill the rosters of all of its clubs. The league is made up of the Boston Pride (2016 Isobel Cup champions), Buffalo Beauts (2017 champions), Connecticut Whale, Metropolitan Riveters (2018 champions), and Minnesota Whitecaps. For more information, please visit NWHL.zone and follow the league on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @NWHL.

Related:

Photo courtesy of T.E. Morris at temophoto.com.