News - 10/16/2003

National Hockey League - Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild Unveil New Alternate Uniforms

RED, WILD AND TRUE NIGHT PRESENTED BY RED BARON

SAINT PAUL/MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota Wild unveiled a new Third Jersey tonight in conjunction with the club’s game against the Colorado Avalanche at Xcel Energy Center. The official Wild Third Jersey was unveiled for the first time when Wild players took to the ice at 6:34 PM for the start of tonight’s contest.

“We are excited to unveil our new Third Jersey tonight at Xcel Energy Center,” said Minnesota Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough. “The Wild Third Jersey is a classic, throwback style jersey that truly represents the vintage hockey heritage and tradition found in the State of Hockey.”

The Minnesota Wild, the NHL, New York-based SME and hundreds of Minnesota hockey fans that participated in design focus groups combined to create the official design of the Minnesota Wild Third Jersey. SME also designed the Wild’s home and away jerseys, the New York Rangers' alternate jersey featuring the Statue of Liberty icon and has worked with numerous other professional sports teams including the Atlanta Thrashers, Columbus Blue Jackets, Seattle Mariners and New Jersey Nets. The manufacturer of the Wild’s Third Jersey is CCM®, the official jersey provider of the NHL.

"For nearly a decade, SME has worked with more than half of the NHL franchises, assisting each in the design development of their logos, uniforms and third jerseys,” said Ed O’Hara, SME Chairman. “Of all the relationships that we have formed, we are the most proud of our accomplishments with the Minnesota Wild team identity and uniform program. This new Third Jersey is a beautiful addition to their on-ice look and a fitting compliment to the great legacy of hockey in the State of Minnesota. I'm sure that it will be worn proudly by all Wild fans and players."

The Third Jersey incorporates the same colors found in the current Wild home and away jerseys. The main color is Iron Range Red, with Forest Green stripes on the bottom band and shoulders of the jersey highlighted by Minnesota Wheat trim. The new crest features the team’s traditional animal head mark in a classic chenille icon with the team name, Minnesota Wild, offset by a Harvest Gold North Star on each side of the logo. The new Third Jersey celebrates the heritage of hockey with a traditional lace-up collar in Minnesota Wheat. In keeping with the simplicity of design and vintage look of the new Third Jersey, no shoulder patches were created.

“The Minnesota Wild organization has done another outstanding job connecting its fans with the great history of the sport of hockey with the unveiling of its new Third Jersey,” said Brian Jennings, NHL Group Vice President, Consumer Products Marketing. “The classic, retro inspired look and simplicity of design of the Third Jersey puts the focus on the Minnesota Wild and the State of Hockey.”

The new Third Jersey is on sale now exclusively at the Hockey Lodge at Xcel Energy Center and the Hockey Lodge at Mall of America located on the west end of the second floor through Thursday, October 23. The Hockey Lodge is the official team store of the Minnesota Wild and offers fans the widest selection of Wild merchandise including jerseys, hats and novelty items along with a wide variety of exclusive team memorabilia. The Hockey Lodge at Xcel Energy Center is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The Hockey Lodge at Mall of America is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 9:30 PM and on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Fans can also call 1-888-WILDNHL to purchase the new Third Jersey.

“The Schwan Food Company is excited to be a sponsor of the Minnesota Wild,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Michael Ziebell. “Our Red Baron Frozen Pizza Brand is a perfect fit to sponsor the introduction of the new Wild Third Jersey. After all one of our favorite colors is Red!”

As part of Red, Wild and True night, all fans attending tonight’s game received a complimentary t-shirt courtesy of Red Baron a division of The Schwan Food Company, which is a privately held company based in Marshall, Minnesota. The Red Baron brand is committed to producing high quality, premium pizzas.