Photo By Master Sgt. Rich Kemp | The Minnesota National Guard sponsored a peddle car race on the ice during the...... read more read more
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In the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Minnesotans are passionate about two things: their country and ice hockey. These two passions converged at the Xcel Energy Center Arena is St. Paul during the Feb. 22nd match between the Minnesota Wild and the Edmonton Oilers.
The Minnesota Wild National Hockey League players, including NHL All-Star Brent Burns, donned camouflage jerseys during pre-game practice.
It is all part of a community partnership that has merged between the Minnesota National Guard’s Recruiting & Retention Battalion (RRB) and the Minnesota Wild over the past few years.
“The partnership with the Wild is a great opportunity and forum to showcase the Citizen Soldiers of the Minnesota National Guard and what they contribute to our country,” said Lt. Col. Jake Kulzer, RRB Commander.
The RRB has a marketing contract to assist in recruiting efforts that includes advertising on dasher boards, the scoreboard, a recruiting booth in the concourse and National Guard sponsored activities on the ice during breaks in the game.
“In addition to our formal marketing agreement, the Wild Organization and its players are going the extra mile by taking Soldiers to games, visiting units at Camp Ripley, and have even partnered with one of our soldiers to form a foundation to help children of military families participate in hockey,” said Kulzer.
The Wild have helped a group of National Guard soldiers form Defending the Blue Line. The non-profit organization helps children of deployed Servicemembers stay active in hockey while their parent is deployed. Defending the Blue Line provides the families with hockey equipment, assistance with registration fees, hockey camp fees and ice time.
During pre-game practice before game against the Oilers, the Wild players came out in camouflage jerseys. The jerseys are being sold in an on-line auction, with the proceeds going to Defending the Blue Line.
Burns purchased a suite at the Xcel Energy Center called “Burnzie’s Battalion” and opened it up to returning Servicemembers and their families. Burns has also supported Defending the Blue Line with many of its initiatives. The Wild also recognize a National Guard Soldier at every game.
“They provide a unique opportunity to have a Soldier on the ice to salute next to the singer of the National Anthem,” said Sgt. 1st Class Richard Gorr, Minnesota National Guard Marketing NCO. “The Soldier is introduced and then hands the “State of Hockey” flag to a youth skater on the ice.”
The Wild have recognized returning service members during games at Xcel Energy Center.
“When the Red Bulls came home last year and were recognized - the fans, players, and even the Referee's literally stopped the game and gave our soldiers a 3 minute standing ovation,” said Kulzer. “It was one of the most powerful displays of true appreciation the I have ever seen.”
The partnership is mutually beneficial. The Guard has benefited from the exposure and recognition of its soldiers, while the Wild also see a lot value in the relationship.
“The Wild greatly value this relationship and feel we get just as much out of it as the Guard does, said Bryan Bellows, Wild Corporate Partnerships. “Wild fans are incredibly patriotic, and the ability to recognize our nation's heroes each and every game is a great reminder for Minnesotans of the commitment our soldiers make.”
Like the partnerships with other professional sports teams, the Minnesota National Guard is proud of the community partnership it has formed with the NHL team.
“The exposure that we get from our relationship with the Wild is a great way to market the National Guard,” said Sfc. Todd Lofquist, senior marketing NCO for the Minnesota National Guard. “It also provides a forum to recognize our soldiers and their families.”
| Date Taken: | 02.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.25.2011 14:28 |
| Story ID: | 66085 |
| Location: | ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 191 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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