The National Hockey League (NHL) team, Minnesota Wild have announced a new multi-year collaboration with HealthPartners, TRIA Orthopedics and Regions Hospital.
The development includes a jersey sponsorship deal with TRIA Orthopedics, the branding of the entity will be featured on all gameday jerseys, as per the arrangement. The Wild and HealthPartners have a long history dating back to the team’s founding in the NHL.
Wild President, Matt Majka, said, “We are very excited to announce our jersey patch partnership with TRIA Orthopedics. We share a love for the great State of Hockey and are dedicated to breaking down barriers and providing broader access to the sport. HealthPartners has been a tremendous partner of our organization since our first season and we are thrilled with this opportunity to expand our partnership.”
Andrea Walsh, HealthPartners President and CEO, commented, “We know how much the Minnesota Wild means to Saint Paul and to the State of Minnesota, and we’re excited to expand our partnership with the team. We’re looking forward to continuing to provide exceptional care to the players and fans and broadening our collaboration in the community.”
Dr Joel Boyd, a TRIA orthopaedic surgeon, has been the Wild’s only team physician. He is been accompanied by several TRIA and HealthPartners physicians and physical therapists who care for athletes.
On the partnership, Dr Boyd, said, “I’ve had the privilege to work with the Wild since day one, and I’ve gotten to care for some incredible athletes. I remember when the Wild drafted Mikko Koivu and he was literally a kid – and I watched him go on to become the captain and become the first player in franchise history to have his number retired. It’s amazing to be there for their careers.”
Regions Hospital and TRIA teamed up with the Minnesota Wild in 2019 to endorse Hockey is for Everyone, an NHL programme that has provided distinct hockey perspectives to 45,000 boys and girls. TRIA has also teamed up with the Wild to assist the DinoMights, an urban youth hockey league which not only exposes children to the game but also collaborates with them off the ice via long-term coaching.
In terms of the arrangement, HealthPartners will collaborate with the Minnesota Wild Foundation to recognise towns by hosting special game nights for Black History Month, Pride Night, and Hockey Fights Cancer.
The Global Partnerships division of Oak View Group aided in the planning and assistance of the Minnesota Wild’s jersey partner search.