SAINT PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) and Minnesota Hockey today announced the return of Skate for State, a unique partnership to honor all year-end state champions of youth hockey in Minnesota, the official State of Hockey. The campaign includes a social media photo sweepstakes and concludes with Youth Hockey Day at the Minnesota Wild Game versus the Vancouver Canucks on Wed., March 26 at Xcel Energy Center.
New in the second year of the sponsorship is the #SkateforState photo sweepstakes, a social media photo challenge. To enter the contest, hockey fans and players statewide are encouraged to submit a Minnesota hockey-inspired photo using the hashtag #SkateForState on Twitter or Instagram, or uploading from Facebook or their computer using the website www.skateforstate.com.
Contest prizes include: two winners will receive an autographed Wild Jersey and a pair of tickets to the March 26 Minnesota Wild game; five winners will receive a pair of suite-level tickets to the March 26 Minnesota Wild game; 100 winners will receive a pair of tickets to the March 26 Minnesota Wild game. Full contest details are available at www.skateforstate.com.
In honor of Youth Hockey Day, the Minnesota Wild will honor 2014 Minnesota Hockey Youth state champions in the Youth, Girls and Junior Gold levels at its March 26 game. All 14 state champion teams (categories listed below, with 2013 champions) will be in attendance. Select members of each team will be on the ice to be recognized during the first intermission.
As part of the sponsorship, Blue Cross will donate more than 200 tickets to the March 26th game to members of the championship teams. In addition, the first 5,000 fans 18 and under attending the game will receive a drawstring bag presented by Blue Cross.
Also as part of the celebration, a Skate for State exhibit is on display at the Xcel Energy Center throughout the hockey season. The display honors the Minnesota Hockey youth state champions and former Wild players who played in a Minnesota Hockey Youth State Tournament. The display is located in the main concourse between sections 106 and 107.
“Blue Cross is thrilled to celebrate Youth Hockey Day and honor youth hockey players from across the state,” said Brooks Deibele, vice president of Group Markets at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. “Skate for State is an extraordinary opportunity. It allows Blue Cross, in partnership with the Minnesota Wild, to showcase youth hockey throughout the state and recognize team champions across various levels of youth hockey.”
Minnesota Wild Chief Operating Officer Matt Majka said, “It is very satisfying for all of us in the community to see how hard work and dedication pays off for these young hockey players. This night is a great opportunity to celebrate their success. We’d like to thank Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota for this fantastic partnership.”
2013 Minnesota Hockey Youth State Champions:
Peewee B (Edina), Peewee A (Minneapolis), Peewee AA (Edina), Bantam B (Wayzata Navy), Bantam A (Mahtomedi), Bantam AA (Edina), 12U B (Johnson Como), 12U A (Edina), 14U B (Rochester), 14U A (Wayzata), 19U B (Osseo/Maple Grove), Jr. Gold 16 (Minnetonka), Jr. Gold B (Osseo/Maple Grove), Jr. Gold A (Minnetonka)
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Ryan Stanzel, Minnesota Wild
651.602.6009
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Laura Kaslow, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
651.662.4742