ST. PAUL -- The National Hockey League's (NHL) Minnesota Wild today announced measures to support part-time employees of the team, as well as the community at-large, during the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Wild will pay its part-time employees who were scheduled to work the final six regular season home games that have been suspended.

"This is an extremely difficult period of time for everyone," said Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold. "I am very thankful for everything these part-time employees do for our organization and for our guests. I also want to say thank you to our Wild players, many of whom reached out during this process and all of whom are contributing to these efforts."

In addition, the Minnesota Wild and Xcel Energy Center announced today that over 2,400 pounds of perishable food items from the arena and Herbies On The Park have been donated to Catholic Charities Dorothy Day Place and Ronald McDonald House Charities since the NHL announced a pause in its season.