Wild officially announces Grand Forks
Posted on July 22nd, 2008 – 3:26 PMBy Michael Russo
This has been reported, but it’s finally official. The Wild doesn’t know yet how long camp will be in Grand Forks because it hasn’t been told exactly how long it needs to be out of Xcel.
Also, exhibition schedule is still to come. If you play reporter, however, you know at least five games – home and home with Columbus and Chicago, and a game at Montreal — because those teams have released their preseason schedules.
MINNESOTA WILD TO OPEN 2008 TRAINING CAMP PRESENTED BY
WELLS FARGO AT RALPH ENGELSTAD ARENA IN GRAND FORKS, N.D.
WILD TO START TRAINING CAMP OUTSIDE TWIN CITIES FOR FIRST TIME IN TEAM HISTORY
SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. - Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough today announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club will open its 2008 training camp presented by Wells Fargo at Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D. on Saturday, Sept. 20.
“The Wild has had a great relationship with the hockey fans of the greater Grand Forks area for many years and has enjoyed great success in NHL preseason games there,” said Tom Lynn, Assistant General Manager/Hockey Operations. “Ralph Engelstad Arena is one of the finest hockey facilities in the world, and outside of our home in the Twin Cities, we could not imagine a better venue for starting our training camp in 2008.”
The team selected Ralph Engelstad Arena as its location to open training camp as a result of the Xcel Energy Center hosting the Republican National Convention, September 1-4, and the move out from the arena following the event. This will mark the first time in team history the Wild will open training camp outside of the Twin Cities.
“This is exactly the type of elite hockey opportunity that Mr. Engelstad hoped to attract to this community and we look forward to once again hosting the Minnesota Wild in our facility,” said Jody Hodgson, Ralph Engelstad Arena General Manager.
More information on Minnesota’s training camp, including practice dates and times at Ralph Engelstad Arena will be announced at a later date. The Wild has played four preseason games at Ralph Engelstad Arena in franchise history (2002, 2003, 2005 and 2007).
Minnesota will announce its preseason schedule at a later date.
133 Responses to "Wild officially announces Grand Forks"
Russo: how’s the foot?
first
No danny, you are not.
FSN-North or 45 has to air the Montreal pre-season game, don’t you think?
We can sure wish they would sunshine. Thanks for the news Russo, even if all it does is give us a new thread to post on. I think the boys will like the Ralph.
It’s kind of strange that they really don’t know how long they will be out of the X when they have a scheduled home game against CBJs on the 24th.
That is a pretty definite time frame there. I can understand it if they start their preseason games.
Well, whatever. This gives time for the boys to do some bonding with so many new players coming in. Let’s hope they can get their line chemistry in pretty quick.
Russo: Didn’t Foster get married this month? How about some info on that?
DB, from last thread, my point was that looking at the Red Wings ten year record that the Wild are in the hunt.
Maybe they are not on the edge this year but maybe they are not so far away either.
Isn’t the Ralph an Olympic-size sheet?
sunshine: You may find the game on NHL Center Ice, but if you do, it will be a Montreal origination from RDS (which means, it will be en francais. I could almost — ALMOST, mind you — guarantee you that the Wild will NEVER originate a pre-season game on TV in the Twin Cities area.
Nick in New York says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
Russo: how’s the foot?
dannyg says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:31 pm
first
Ha ha, FAIL!
Yeah, Russo, did Foster walk down the aisle? That is all I really want to know.
Foster might still be on his honeymoon so he might be incommunicado.
WRT: Unless its subtitled, I get annoy with foreign movies and sports coverage. Can’t watch with the sound off because I like to crowd background noise and the radio is on slight delay.
Though, I might just have to suck it up.
Any word on offers to 10 or 96?
sunshine: Just remember: ‘But’ is goal; ‘Gardien de But’ is goaltender. C’mon…admit it…you really want to see Jacques Demers go nuts between periods from a Centre Bell end suite, don’t you?
Can’t watch with the sound off because I like to crowd background noise and the radio is on slight delay.
If you have a DVR you can try to synch them up - I hope we get the chance!
The Wild are representative of the State of Hockey, which is now North Dakota!
The lure of that new ‘North Dakota oil’ money is too much for Minnesota to deal with! 
Danny Irmen is going to hide his gloves from the NCAA championship victory somewhere in the building during camp as a hex against the Sioux.
Wallshot - the fail link above is HILARIOUS. I can’t believe no one gave you props on that one.
And NiNY - thanks for expressing some concern about DB’s homicidal rage for the cup.
el gato: Don’t you mean that someone is going to have to HIDE Irmen’s gloves as a hex against the Gophers? 
did I see someone hoped for line chemistry? must be new…
Russo-any news on Skoula out for the season-lets cross are fingers hes out forever.
Why not keep training camp in the state of Minnesota at least? This is BS!!
Too bad Irmen never won a national title with the Gophers. Actually he was part of the biggest upset in the NCAA tourney, losing to Holy Cross. That game happened to be played at the Ralph! Sorry sons
even though i don’t know what they are saying, i don’t mind the RDS telecasts.
those gals at centre bell that knew no english and were selling something took every loonie i had on me. i’m a sucker for a gal that speaks french.
Quick Foster Update found by a Wild Board poster
click on the News and Notes - should be third clip with Glen Wesley - on the right side.
Russo, did the Mojzis IIHF contract situation get settled or is he still not a member of the Wild organization?
What Russo is listening to:
I hear you askin…but you get nothin!
How could a franchise have the audacity to win the cup 2 times in 6 years and actually be a favorite to win it the last 10?
Hockeytown indeed!
yeah I live literally 1 block from the Ralph….i can see it from my window up at school….
money in the bank
“JamesVG says:
July 22nd, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Isn’t the Ralph an Olympic-size sheet?”
Foolish…The main sheet is regulation size, the secondary sheet, right next to it, is olympic.
The Ralph is a very nice rink but it does seem a bit off that they are taking camp out of state.
I think it came down to Duluth and Grand Forks. Before, they were thinking of going overseas… I want to say Switzerland, Czech Republic, and maybe even Slovakia.
I think Duluth lost out because it didn’t have a NHL regulation size rink or something about the sheet of ice. Its not like the Wild hasn’t gone to the Ralph before and it will only be for about 3 - 4 days. Their first pre-season game is on the 24th at the X, four days after training camp starts.
any time your decision comes down to Duluth or Grand Forks, you’re wishing you had a 3rd option…I’m just sayin’
Yeah, like Bemidji. Or something.
I know there are some who are discontent here, but at least you’re not fans of the Canucks, who are raising ticket prices after their collapse and lack of any improvement at all (did they sign ANYone?)
Some of the comments, and total disregard for the English language, are amusing.
KiPA, they signed Demitra, who claims that he will be able to score for a more offensive coach.
(Has anyone told him about Vigneault yet?)
Bemidji? maybe in ten years when they have more than a shack for a rink, and a population exceeding 2,000.
I seem to remember that Duluth’s sheet is funny sized.
I was right, it’s only 190 X 85 instead of the NHL’s 200 X 85.
Russo, do you think you could talk to the Strib IT guys and make it so anyone stupid enough to post “First!” gets banned for life?
I wonder why not St. Cloud?, Mankato?
Maybe they’ll like the ‘vacation’ camp and take it on tour in future years. One year in Grand Forks, one in Duluth, one in St. Cloud, one in Mankato…
It seems to me, that an away camp is perfect for getting the guys away from their families (like during road trips) and back to being focused on hockey. They’d be ‘forced’ to hang with the team, eat meals together, etc.
I also think it would be an excellent way to build fan support for the team throughout the state.
grand forks is a non-factor. b!tching about it simply proves that people in this town are not happy unless b!tching about something, IMHO.
I’m beginning to think that there are people around here, who if they had the chance of a night with RIAC, they b!tch because the chaps were the wrong shade of brown.
Preach on brother G*. I know some may think I’m overly optimistic, the negativity gets a very trying at times.
Yes Fossie got married this month, I had heard when at one time but now I can’t remember. He wanted to be be able to at least stand at the alter, even if he needed crutches or a cane.
I’m beginning to think that there are people around here, who if they had the chance of a night with RIAC, they b!tch because the chaps were the wrong shade of brown.
Well, I might bitch about a night with RIAC, but it wouldn’t be due to the color of the chaps.
Does that make me a bad person?
Huh. I always imagined her chaps were black leather.
“I always imagined her chaps were black leather.”
Ditto. Didn’t any of you see that awful movie Exit to Eden?
To those less informed, Rosie’s chaps-of-choice are indeed Satan Black with a high gloss that form tightly around the under-buttocks area. (try finishing your breakfast with that image in your brain :D)
you are an evil, evil man, Deep.
I agree with you Greenstar.
If not the announcers, or the TV coverage, it is the ticket prices, the Wild fight song, who we signed, who we did not sign, the division we are in, and the list goes on and on.
Grand Rapids has two sheets of indoor ice and Coleraine has one. The Wild would be a welcome summer guest.
Toivo or Finn or anyone else planning to attend FinnFest in Duluth?
Has Russo ever met Rosie?
shade of brown worked better than shade of black
Irmen right, El Gato wrong.
El Gato feel shame.
Just say no to RIAC.
RIAC not a difficult no.
OK, if ROIC is not your idea of a memorable evening, or mid-afternoon for that matter, throw a skin-tight Wild T-shirt on her sans bra and see if that sways your thoughts
I think I’m gonna yack…..
At this point I’m wishing I’d just COMC and put an end to this… *shudder*
Here’s a distraction… go read about your Wild defensive depth:
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080723/GJSPORTS_01/899504335/-1/FOSSPORTS
Russo, do you think you could talk to the Strib IT guys and make it so anyone stupid enough to post “First!” gets banned for life?
Goody, if that happened, there’d be no vikings blog.
Toivo or Finn or anyone else planning to attend FinnFest in Duluth?
Too far away! May as well go to Finland if I’m going to make that trip.
Great read, ms. conduct. Thanks.
Iceman - despite my blog moniker, i’m actually norwegian, not finnish. Finn was the runner-up name for my son (we went w/ Anders). Sounds like an interesting event up there, though!
Finn is a good moniker. It says to me, “I like the sauna!”
The Price is Right is like watching a train wreck in slow mo….. why can’t I look away?…. good thing I have to go to part time job soon…. must look away…..
“Yes Fossie got married this month, I had heard when at one time but now I can’t remember.”
The wife tells me that he got married on our anniversary, which is July 12th.
Green*…what’s worse…the complainer or the complaining from a supposed non-complainer about the complaints???
I wouldn’t have to complain about RIAC because I would not be there.
I will not see Rosie in ass-less chaps.
I would not, could not ever look at that.
(Sorry Mr. Geisel)
Toivo, on hot summer days my wife and I take a sauna, cool off in the lake and then dry off on the dock just before bed time. Very enjoyable.
Pre-season games announced;
Wednesday, Sept. 24 vs. CBJs 7:00 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 26 @ Chicago 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 28 @ Buffalo 5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 30 vs. Chicago 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 1 vs. Buffalo 7:00 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 3 @ CBJs 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 4 @ Montreal 6:00 p.m.
Thanks sunshine.
The wife tells me that he got married on our anniversary, which is July 12th.
ATX, operative words in bold, eh? 
I have to admit, I am glad we have taken to using RIAC. The mental image is easier to dismiss now.
So BNAG…an acronym is less distasteful???
Isn’t COMC usually preceeded by RIAC?
So BNAG…an acronym is less distasteful???
Yup
Isn’t COMC usually preceeded by RIAC?
The two do kinda go together, don’t they?
An ode to internet acronyms:
OMG! COMC, FTW
LOL - RIAC? BAIC!
FWIW, ICBW but WTF that’s OACB
W/E, IDK, IIRC U R not my BFF so BFD
OW TAFN TTYL TC
TYMV PCO
…now read it phonetically.
Howdy folks, long time no see. Whats the latest on PMB? When would he go into arbitration? It hasn’t already happened right?
Speaking of ticket surcharges a few threads ago, I just bought my Mets tickets for a trip to Shea and noticed that the Yankees tickets and a few others had a huge premium on them. However, most of the Nationals and Pirates games had discounts. I see this as democracy in action - maybe someday the Wild will discount traditional hockey cities on weeknights and surcharge the traditional markets. On second thought, scratch that last part 
RG, the 28th is his arbi day. No news from anybody. Russo is on the beach or in the basement or in a wheelchair or something.
I think I’m officially old since I only got about 1/3rd of that, Wallshot.
MS Conduct, you got a lot more than I did.
I grew up in this digital age with the internet shorthand, and I got less than a third too Ice & Ms. Conduct.
I should know what it means, but I refuse to txt if u kno wat i meen.
I could use help with the following:
FTW
BAIC
ICBW
OACB
OW
TAFN
TC
TYMV
PCO
Fill me in?
Don’t feel left our friends for I to got less than 1/3…and i txt a lot!
Jim, the only one of those I know is FTW, which is “for the win”.
I barely got anything out of Wallshot’s post… Does that mean I need to hand in my Youth Badge? I knew this would happen one day, I just didn’t think I’d be 25 when it did… Sad…
Irony. I think if you barely got anything, then the intended statement came across perfectly.
I’m not a big fan of the abundance and ubiquity of all these acronyms as they often obfuscate the message rather than elucidate it.
TYMV, was a typo, by the way (BTW)- It was supposed to be TYVM, thank you very much.
Ahhhhh, actual English FTW.
PMB goes to arbitration on my birthday…
they often obfuscate the message rather than elucidate it.
Hilarious.
PMB goes to arbitration on my birthday…
Does anyone know what PMB is? grin…
(hint: sarcasim)
Is it Leetspeak? Isn’t there a name for this “language”?
This is what I got…
Oh my God! Choking on my Cheerios, for the win, laughing out loud - RIAC? BAIC!
for what it’s worth, ICBW but what the fu*k that’s OACB
whatever, I don’t know, if I recall correctly you are not my best friend forever so big fuc*in deal
OW that’s all for now, talk to you later TC
thank you very much PCO.
there are a few I don’t get…
Nick, leetspeak (or 1337sp3@k) is completely different.
This is what I got…
Oh my God! Choking on my Cheerios, for the win, laughing out loud - RIAC? BAIC!
for what it’s worth, ICBW but what the fu*k that’s OACB
whatever, I don’t know, if I recall correctly you are not my best friend forever so big fuc*in deal
OW that’s all for now, talk to you later TC
thank you very much PCO.
there are a few I don’t get…
Nerd.
Props ATX, but hoiw could you not get RIAC?
Wow, I’m a greet speeler today
“Some deliberately type the numbers, while others take the exclamation further and sarcastically replace some of the digits with various written forms (e.g. “STFU!!11one”), or in cases of extreme sarcasm, another number or prerequisite key (e.g. “OMG!!!!11!!11oneonesix”, or “PMG!!!!111!11shiftone1!11shift1!!1111capslock1!oneoneone1one33212322eightytwo”)”
PWNED!!!11!one!
austin, the way I read that page, a lot of these acronyms are covered in there, no?
Dang BNAG, I dunno… I guess I will go to the box and feel shame.
Austin your post helped. Let me fill in some holes using context based on what you wrote:
Oh my God! Choking on my Cheerios, for the win, laughing out loud - Rosie in assless chaps? BAIC!
for what it’s worth, ICBW but what the fu*k that’s OACB
whatever, I don’t know, if I recall correctly you are not my best friend forever so big fuc*in deal
oh well that’s all for now, talk to you later TC
thank you very much peace out.
Can anyone else fill in the rest?
Nick, they have internet lingo dictionaries out there too.. like http://www.netlingo.com/
Some of the ones that Wallshot used in the original post are not in the dictionary though…
turning verbs into nouns (and back again) as forms of emphasis, e.g. “Austin rocks” is weaker than “Austin roxxorz” (note spelling), which is weaker than “Au5t1N is t3h r0xx0rz” (note grammar), which is weaker than something like “0MFG D00D /\Ü571N 15 T3H l_l83Я 1337 Я0XX0ЯZ”. In essence, all of these mean “Austin rocks,” not necessarily the other options
ATX - Did you write that wiki page about yourself?
TC= Take Care
But if you’re really 1337, then you write like this:
01000010 01101001 01101110 01100001 01110010 01111001 00100000 01101001 01110011 00100000 01110100 01101000 01100101 00100000 01100010 01100101 01110011 01110100 00100001
BAIC… I already forgot what that is for. Oh yeah - “boy am I confused”
ICBW is I could be wrong
OACB is offensive as can be
OW is oh well
TC is take care
PCO is please carry on
so are there competitions as to who can be the most 31337?
Yes, jimlove - between obese 12 year-olds the world over.
Don’t forget to Overclock your breakfast.
“ATX - Did you write that wiki page about yourself?”
I am so not 1337. But I do find it hilarious. Now if you will excuse me I will be going 2 teh int3rnets to pwnzor som3 n00bzorzs.
awesome. So if I wanted a confidence boost I should become an 3l337 master and pwn some |\|00|3s (noobs)?
so how about that sioux hockey eh?
jimlove, I just caught that it used Austin as an example… that is awesome! I am 1337 m@st3|2!
Wow, what a little cultural experience that was. I’m so glad I don’t have kids.
jim, pwnz0ring teh n00bz is @ /|/|us7.
I am 1337 m@st3|2!
Now you’re just showing off.
just put it on your job resume Austin - let them know you wrote a wiki page about how austin, TX rocks and incorporated 1337 script.
video game companies would dig that, right?
Austin, I’m going to tell your wife to take away your keyboard pretty soon.
Okay, I am seriously going to play some video games now… all this 1337sp3@k talk got me wanting to play!
jimlove, good idea. I am sure the resume would be popular!
Kevin, I am taking the keyboard away from myself now.
zomg, it’s not “FTW”…. it’s 4TW. Doh.
So, if you want an intro to leetspeek, check this out: Romeo & Juliet
Austin - give your leetness a real test and go play Zork.
Just watch out for grues.
>.>
Oh, further note before watching the above link… do NOT be drinking anything that may hurt as it comes our your nose.
Wow, what a little cultural experience that was. I’m so glad I don’t have kids.
hilarious. I was actually laughing, and I sit at our front desk in our office as a workspace and no one else is around today, right? But our director walks in and was like… what are you laughing at? being that there was no one around. Ho hum. I divulged nothing of the secrecy of Russo’s at work.
you are standing at the corner of a white fence. There is a mailbox.
pwn’sa! pwn’sa! Who pwn’sa da Chiefs?
(I can hear the groans from here)
Toivo, on hot summer days my wife and I take a sauna, cool off in the lake and then dry off on the dock just before bed time. Very enjoyable.
You, my friend, are living the dream.
If there’s ever another lockout, this place will be out of control.
What do hockey reporters do during a lockout anyway? Write a book? Cover the AHL? Hmm.
you are standing at the corner of a white fence. There is a mailbox.
Ha ha ha, you got it jim!
It’s been years and years… and someone my age really shouldn’t know about Zork, but what can I say? My Dad raised me well on the Apple IIe.
I’d love to see if its avaiable to play in mac format. I’m sure it is if I open my eyes
I only heard about Zork a couple of years ago when I saw a t-shirt that read “It is pitch black. You are likely to be eaten by a grue.”
yeah, it was pretty much the precursor to all role playing games. just MS DOS text and input commands. But fun - you would have to sketch your own maps of what the world looked like, and keep track of what you were doing, where you had been, etc. Almost as interactive as a Wii; just in a completely different format.
Definitely wouldn’t capture anyone’s video game attention in today’s world. It’s wayyyyyyy too simplistic.
What do hockey reporters do during a lockout anyway? Write a book? Cover the AHL? Hmm.
Make up crap to write about like we do???
ABC food…
unrelated topic, how about we look at signing Glen Murray?
Thats cool about camp… The Ralph was designed by the same architect as the Xcel and is more or less a scaled down version… it’ll be as close to thier own ice as they can get without actually being in the Xcel… or the state…
