Just when it felt like last season just wrapped up, this upcoming hockey season is almost here.  It all started just 2 weeks ago when I stopped by my PO Box and found this waiting for me:

The theme this year is the history of hockey in MN, so all of the tickets have the patches of the teams in the game, with the Wild alternating between their old and new logo.

And as a further sign it is even getting closer to the season, the Wild held an open practice at the Xcel — it’s good to see the ice back in the building!

That’s right — 2500 people packed into the Xcel today to watch a practice while the Vikes were kicking off for their first regular game of the season.

There might be something to this State of Hockey catchphrase afterall…