DES MOINES, Iowa — The Minnesota Wild paid a visit to Des Moines, holding an open practice and autograph session at Wells Fargo Arena Tuesday morning.
Fans were able to experience what an NHL practice is like first-hand as the team gears up for the season opener on Thursday against the New York Rangers.
"We've always heard about the support down here and to see it in person is pretty cool," said Minnesota Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon. "A lot of kids getting the day off of school and out there watching their first practice and now for us to go out there, it's always exciting."
Head coach for the Iowa Wild Tim Army says today's turn out shows how much Minnesota has grown its fan base in the Des Moines area.
"This has grown and now it's really connected to St. Paul," said Army. "The Wild's become the number one hockey team in this area which is great. I mean, the people here, the people that were waiting to get in here today, it does illustrate that."