From: Patrick Armstrong, Director of Communications
(713) 361-7920 (Direct Line)
Scott Henninger, Communications Manager
(713) 361-7930 (Direct Line)
Thursday, July 17, 2008

MINNESOTA WILD ANNOUNCES 2008-09 REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild’s 2008-09 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season schedule was released today. The Wild will open the season at Xcel Energy Center for the fourth straight season on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. against the Boston Bruins. The Wild is the NHL affiliate of the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League (AHL).

The 2008-09 schedule consists of 82 games – 41 at Xcel Energy Center and 41 road contests. The Wild’s home schedule features 17 weekend games (six on Friday, eight on Saturday and three on Sunday) and three afternoon contests (Nov. 28, Feb. 8 and March 22). Most evening games at Xcel Energy Center will begin at 7:00 p.m.

Minnesota will play each member of the Northwest Division (Calgary, Colorado, Edmonton and Vancouver) six times (three times at home, three times on road) for a total of 24 games. In addition, the club will play the remaining members of the Western Conference’s Pacific Division (Anaheim, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Jose) and Central Division (Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Nashville and St. Louis) four times each (twice at home and twice on the road) for a total of 40 games.

The Wild will play 18 games against the Eastern Conference this season, playing six contests each against the Atlantic, Northeast and Southeast Divisions. Minnesota will visit each club in the Atlantic Division (New Jersey, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh) and will also host the New York Islanders. The Wild will host each team in the Northeast Division (Boston, Buffalo, Montreal, Ottawa and Toronto) and also play at Boston. The club will play at Atlanta, host Carolina, travel to Florida, play Tampa Bay twice (home and road) and host Washington.

Popular out-of-town visits at Xcel Energy Center include: the defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings (Jan. 3, Feb. 21), the Anaheim Ducks (Jan. 17, Feb. 4), the Calgary Flames (Dec. 17, Feb. 19, April 3), the Chicago Blackhawks (Oct. 27, Dec. 28), the Colorado Avalanche (Dec. 1, Feb. 11, March 17), the Dallas Stars (Nov. 26, April 7), the Montreal Canadiens (Oct. 30), the San Jose Sharks (Dec. 31, March 10), the Toronto Maple Leafs (Jan 27), the Vancouver Canucks (Nov. 20, Dec. 5, March 31) and the Washington Capitals (Nov. 24).

The 2009 NHL All-Star Game will be held at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec on Sunday, Jan. 25.

The Wild’s longest homestand is five games: Nov. 20 - 28 against Vancouver, St. Louis, Washington, Dallas and Tampa Bay. The club’s longest road trip is six games: Feb. 27 – March 8 at Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim. Minnesota concludes the regular season by playing 16 of its last 23 games away from Xcel Energy Center.

Preseason single-game tickets will go on sale Saturday, Aug. 23. Regular season single-game tickets will go on sale on Saturday, Sept. 20. For more information please contact the Minnesota Wild at (651) 222-WILD (9453).

2008-09 MINNESOTA WILD SCHEDULE NOTES

Home Games By Day: Mon. – 3, Tue. – 9, Wed. – 6, Thu. – 6, Fri. – 6, Sat. – 8, Sun. – 3
Road Games By Day: Mon. – 2, Tue. – 6, Wed. – 2, Thu. – 7, Fri. – 3, Sat. – 14, Sun. – 7

Home Games By Month: Oct. – 5, Nov. – 7, Dec. – 8, Jan. – 6, Feb. – 8, March – 4, April – 3
Road Games By Month: Oct. – 4, Nov. – 6, Dec. – 6, Jan. – 7, Feb. – 4, March – 12, April – 2

Games By Conference/Division
Western Conference: Central Division (20) Northwest Division (24) Pacific Division (20)

Eastern Conference: Atlantic Division (6) Northeast Division (6) Southeast Division (6)

Opponents Visits To Minnesota (41): Anaheim-2, Atlanta-0, Boston-1, Buffalo-1, Calgary-3, Carolina-1, Chicago-2, Colorado-3, Columbus-2, Dallas-2, Detroit-2, Edmonton-3, Florida-0, Los Angeles-2, Montreal-1, Nashville-2, New Jersey-0, New York Islanders-1, New York Rangers-0, Ottawa-1, Philadelphia-0, Phoenix-2, Pittsburgh-0, St. Louis-2, San Jose-2, Tampa Bay-1, Toronto-1, Vancouver-3, Washington-1

Wild Visits To Road Cities (41): Anaheim-2, Atlanta-1, Boston-1, Buffalo-0, Calgary-3, Carolina-0, Chicago-2, Colorado-3, Columbus-2, Dallas-2, Detroit-2, Edmonton-3, Florida-1, Los Angeles-2, Montreal-0, Nashville-2, New Jersey-1, New York Islanders-1, New York Rangers-1, Ottawa-0, Philadelphia-1, Phoenix-2, Pittsburgh-1, St. Louis-2, San Jose-2, Tampa Bay-1, Toronto-0, Vancouver-3, Washington-0

After The All-Star Break – Minnesota will have 36 games remaining on its schedule, including 16 home games and 20 road contests.

Longest Homestand: 5 games:
Nov. 20 – 28 vs. Vancouver, St. Louis, Washington, Dallas and Tampa Bay

Longest Road Trip: 6 games:
Feb. 27 – March 8 at Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver, San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim

Back-To-Back Games:
Overall: 15 (same as last season)
Back-to-back at home: 0 Road game followed by home game next day: 2
Back-to-back on road: 6 (11 last year) Home game followed by road game next day: 7 (3 last year)

Length of 2008-09 Season: 183 days (Oct. 11 – April 11), two days less than the 2007-08 campaign.

The Houston Aeros will announce their schedule in early August but season tickets are already on sale! Aeros' season ticket packages can be ordered today by calling (713) 974-PUCK. Voucher Books are also a great way to save on tickets. These 10-packs are available, and by picking one, fans will receive two free tickets to the game of their choice!

-- HOUSTON AEROS --