Minnesota Wild & Alex Goligoski return to Duluth for open practice

Tuesday, for the first time since 2021, the Minnesota Wild held an open practice in Duluth’s AMSOIL Arena. The practice, which was free to the public, featured the entire Minnesota Wild roster and lasted just under an hour.

AMSOIL was packed with fans of all ages happy to see their favorite team in action.

“Practices after a couple of days of some fun normally go a little bit slower but because of the crowd, because of the energy, like the bottom bowl was basically full, it was absolutely fantastic. The guys are working, they’re pushing so it’s perfect. The venue is incredible, the city is incredible,” head coach Dean Evason said.

For the Wild, coming to the Northland was a great opportunity to bond as a team right before their season starts. Grand Rapids native Alex Goligoski added that it was just good to be home.

“We got beat here a couple of times to Duluth East. But no, always, always fun coming here and playing, a lot of memories for sure growing up playing here,” Goligoski said. “We get a little break, come up here, have some fun, golf and just kind of break up the training camp. We got some beautiful weather, so it was a great couple of days.”

The Wild are looking to turn the page after last year’s loss to the Dallas Stars in the playoffs. They are 3-1 in the preseason this year with two games left before they drop the puck against the Florida Panthers in the regular season October 12 in St. Paul.