A wild card is a team that qualifies for the playoffs in the National Hockey League (NHL) despite not finishing among the top three teams in its division. The NHL introduced the concept in 2013-14 as part of a realignment that created four fresh geographical divisions.
The Wild, who play in the Northwest division, have won two wild-card berths in their history. The team also made the playoffs in their third year of existence, led by the star power of right wing Marian Gaborik. In the first round of the playoffs, the Wild staved off elimination several times—winning three consecutive one-goal margin games against the favored Colorado Avalanche in the process, to win their series in seven games.
Since then, the Wild have compiled solid regular seasons but have missed the playoffs on multiple occasions. The most recent miss was last season, when the Wild fell to the Dallas Stars in six games.
The Wild have an impressive tradition of community outreach. They offer a wide range of school programs including Wild About Reading and Healthy Living Floor Hockey as well as a number of themed nights during the course of each season. In addition, the team has installed 10 community ice rinks that are free to use and open throughout the winter.
In the off-season, the Wild host a variety of charity events and give back to their local community through a number of initiatives. These include the annual Jingle Bells Jam, a Thanksgiving food drive and a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters that provides children with the gift of a new friend.
In addition to supporting their hometown community, the Wild have a longstanding commitment to sustainability. The team is a leader in the NHL and the international hockey community with its Eco-Challenge and Sustainable Business Practices programs, which help reduce the Wild’s environmental footprint.
The team is also a leader in the NHL with its focus on women’s hockey. The Wild have an active Women’s Leadership Initiative, a program that provides a framework for the team to identify and develop female leaders. The program is supported by the Wild’s Foundation for Women and Girls in Sports. The Wild also works with the Minnesota Girls’ High School Athletic Association to provide scholarships for girls to participate in a variety of hockey and ice skating programs. The program has been so successful that the Wild now offers an annual Women’s Leadership Symposium. This event is designed to promote women’s leadership in the NHL and throughout the hockey industry. It is the only annual conference in the world focused on women in professional hockey. The event is held at the Wild’s downtown arena in St. Paul, Minnesota. It features a mix of speakers from the Wild and other NHL organizations, as well as local leaders. The program attracts over 1,000 attendees.