MINNEAPOLIS-ST.PAUL STAR-TRIBUNE: Chip Scoggins reports Wild GM Doug Risebrough has no intention of deviating from the system that has build his club into a playoff contender within three years of entering the NHL.
PIONEER POST: Brian Murphy reports Risebrough will be meeting with his pro scouting staff to evaluate this year's unrestricted free agent pool, although the team is not expected to make bids for high-priced help. Risebrough must also decide if he'll re-sign veteran Cliff Ronning, who is eligible for UFA status on July 1. Ronning stated he'd like to return, but his age (37) and contract ($1.85 million US) could work against him.
Spector's Note: This year's signficant improvement by the Wild is indicative how well Risebrough's system of building the club is working. Several of their key players are still maturing and have yet to reach their prime, thus it's best to focus the future around them. As for Ronning, if he decides not to seek a substantial raise, he could be an affordable re-signing for one more season. If not, expect the Wild to seek an affordable replacement via the UFA market, or possibly through a trade.
MINNESOTA WILD - WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALIST 2002/2003
Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE: Sid Hartman reports Wild GM Doug Risebrough denies speculation he may shop restricted free agent goaltender Manny Fernandez. Risebrough is happy with their two-goalie system (Fernandez and veteran Dwayne Roloson) and intends to keep that tandem intact. Risebrough also hasn't decided yet if he'll re-sign impending UFA forward Cliff Ronning, who at $1.85 million was among the Wild's highest paid players, opting to discuss the upcoming free agent market with his scouting staff.
Spector's Note: My thanks to Jeff Swanson. Hadn't heard speculation about Fernandez, but it was probably based on how well Roloson played and the tight budget the Wild presently have. Hey, remember the days when $1.85 million US per season was usually the amount paid to the very best players in the NHL?
MINNESOTA WILD - WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALIST 2002/2003
Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE: Sid Hartman reports of rumours the Minnesota Wild may be interested in veteran blueliner Phil Housley, a St. Paul native, who's an unrestricted free agent this summer. Hartman is sceptical, however, given GM Doug Risebrough's aversion to signing older, expensive free agents.
PIONEER POST: Charley Walters reports the Wild are "among a few teams" that have interest in Housley. Walters believes the Wild might pitch a one-year, $1.5 million US offer to Housley.
MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE: Dan Barreiro reported last week Minnesota Wild GM Doug Risebrough continued to deny rumours he was considering breaking up his goaltending tandem by shopping either Dwayne Roloson or Manny Fernandez. Risebrough insisted he was happy with their performances and had no plans to break them up. However, Risebrough did admit that he could change his mind if he received "the right price", but added to date he's had no calls from any of his peers seeking a goalie. Barreiro reports Risebrough will eventually have to move one of them, as both netminders could tire of splitting the duties.
Ich wünschte mir, sie würden mal einen Topspieler holen, aber erstmal sollen sie natürlich Ihre jungen heranzüchten und vorallem auch halten (Gaborik)...
Aber wahrscheinlich wäre es nächstes Jahr schon ein Erfolg, wenn sie es wieder in die Playoffs schaffen...
MINNESOTA WILD - WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALIST 2002/2003 Houston Aeros - Calder Cup Champion 2003 Lions Forum Playoff Tippspiel Champion 2003 Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
Ja, das auf jeden Fall, aber Spieler wie Walz,Sekeras werden auch langsam älter und vor allem die Defensive ist nur durchschnitt und ich glaube Roloson hat letztes Jahr weit über seine Verhältnisse gespielt, da müssten sie mal jemanden draften. Ansonsten haben sie in der Offense noch einiges in der Warteschleife....
Bouchard, Wanvig, Veilleux, Koivu um nur ein paar zu nennen....
MINNESOTA WILD - WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALIST 2002/2003 Houston Aeros - Calder Cup Champion 2003 Lions Forum Playoff Tippspiel Champion 2003 Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
Wes Walz ist immerhin Kandidat für die Selke Trophy gewesen, achja und er hatte auch ein GWG gegen Colorado und insgesamt 13 Punkte in den Playoffs...
Sekeras hatte in den Playoffs ebenfalls ein GWG...
Beide sind Teil der Mannschaft, die die Colorado Avalanche dieses Jahr aus den Playoffs befördert haben...
Mal ne andere Frage, wer zum Henker ist Forsberg?
Ist das nicht der Schwalbenkönig?!?!?!
MINNESOTA WILD - WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALIST 2002/2003 Houston Aeros - Calder Cup Champion 2003 Lions Forum Playoff Tippspiel Champion 2003 Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
Minnesota Sports & Entertainment purchases Houton Aeros of the AHL
SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- (MSE) announced today that it has agreed to acquire a controlling interest in the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL), the primary development affiliate of the National Hockey League's (NHL) Minnesota Wild, from Aeros owner Chuck Watson. The sale was approved today at the AHL's Board of Governor's meetings. Minnesota originally named Houston its primary development affiliate on May 21, 2001. The Aeros won the 2003 Calder Cup in just their second year of competition in the AHL. The club won the N.R. (Bud) Poile Trophy as the winners of the West Division during the 2002-03 regular season with a record of 47-23-7-3 (104 points), and then captured the Robert W. Clarke Trophy as the AHL's Western Conference playoff champions. The Aeros defeated Milwaukee (3-0), Norfolk (4-2), Grand Rapids (4-3) and Hamilton (4-3) en route to the championship, and became the first team in AHL history to win two Game 7's on the road in the same postseason. Houston advanced to the Western Conference Finals in the 2001-02 season.
"The Wild have enjoyed the developmental environment in Houston for the past two years with success both on the ice and in player development," said Executive Vice President/General Manager Doug Risebrough. "We look forward to continuing and improving that relationship." The Aeros have been in existence for nines years compiling a 387-265-81 record and have qualified for the playoffs in eight of their nine seasons including winning the International Hockey League's (IHL) Turner Cup Championship in 1999. During the last two seasons, 15 different players from Houston have appeared in a Wild game. The Aeros will play the 2003-04 season in the new downtown Houston Arena. The Wild become the 11th NHL club to own and operate their AHL affiliate. Entering its 68th season this fall, the AHL serves as the top development league for all 30 NHL teams. The 2002-2003 season saw an all-time high of 28 teams competing for the coveted Calder Cup, and more than 6.7 million fans attending games across North America, a league record. Over 78 percent of all players to compete in the NHL in 2002-03 were AHL graduates, and more than 380 players took the ice in both leagues. MSE is a premier sports and entertainment provider that has expanded into several different business operations in addition to the Wild including majority interest in a catering company, Wildside Caterers, ownership of 317 on Rice Park, and facility management of Xcel Energy Center, Touchstone Energy Place, and Roy Wilkins Auditorium with the Saint Paul Arena Company. As per club policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Minnesota Wild Executive Vice President/General Manager Doug Risebrough announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed left wing Christoph Brandner to a multi-year contact. Brandner, 28 (5/7/75), was selected by the Wild in the eighth round (237th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. The 2002-03 Player-of-the-Year in the German Elite League helped lead the Krefeld Penguins to the playoff championship. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound winger led the league in goals ( 28 ) and finished 12th in points ( 28-17=45 ) during the regular season. During the playoffs, he tallied 18 points ( 9-9=18 ) in 14 contests. The Bruck, Austria native scored two goals in six games for Austria at the 2003 World Championships. During the last three seasons he has totaled 82 goals and 148 points in 158 games for Krefeld. Brandner played for three seasons with Klagenfurt of the Austrian League prior to joining Krefeld. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
In Antwort auf: has signed left wing Christoph Brandner to a multi-year contact.
Die Wild werden mir immer sympathischer. Ne Hockeystadt ist Minnesota eh, dann das unheilige Team rausgeschmissen und jetzt Brandner a) endlich in die NHL und b) von Köln weggeholt...
...keep it goin'...
Return to Hockeytown
Patriotism is a pernicious, psychopathic form of idiocy. -George Bernard Shaw-
MINNESOTA WILD - WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALIST 2002/2003 Houston Aeros - Calder Cup Champion 2003 Lions Forum Playoff Tippspiel Champion 2003 Wild Goons - Fantasy Hockey League Champion 2002/2003
SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (http://www.wild.com) - Minnesota Wild Executive Vice-President/General Manager Doug Risebrough announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed center Mikko Koivu (pronounced Mee-koh, KOI-voo) to a multi-year contact. Koivu was the Wilds first round selection (sixth overall) in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He will play for TPS Turku of the Finnish Senior League this season and participate in Minnesota Wild Training Camp at the start of the 2004-05 season. "The Minnesota Wild are pleased to have Mikko as part of the organization and look forward to watching his development this season in the Finnish Elite League," Wild Assistant General Manager Tom Thompson said. "Mikko has worked diligently to finish his schooling and military responsibilities and will continue his growth as a professional hockey player. He is a world class player and we look forward to the near future when our fans can enjoy watching him play." Koivu, 20 (3/12/83), played in 37 games last season for TPS Turku and finished sixth on the team in scoring (7-13=20) despite missing 19 games due to injury. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound center totaled 61 points (15-46=61) in 60 games with the junior squad at TPS Turku from 1999-2001 and captured a silver medal at the 2001 World Junior Championships with three assists in seven games. The Turku, Finland native captained the Finnish under-18 team at the 2001 Under-18 World Championships and led the club in scoring with five points (2-3=5) in six contests. Koivu won a gold medal at the 2000 Under-18 World Championships and registered four assists in seven games. Mikko is the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens captain Saku Koivu. As per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.