The Minnesota Wild Foundation today launched Skate It Forward, a pioneering initiative to help preserve and strengthen community hockey in Minnesota. Inspired by the "pay it forward" movement, Skate It Forward will be an ongoing philanthropic campaign raising funds to support Minnesota’s unique community hockey model,

Being in a U.S. market where hockey is the number one sport in the state, today is another example of why it’s great to be here,” Wild coach John Hynes said.

Today marks the 19th Hockey Day Minnesota (HDM). The Wild play the last game of the day. There were four total games today. Two boys High School games at Valley Fair and a Division 1 Girls hockey game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Bemidji State Beavers.

Gophers women's hockey took center stage on Saturday with a dominant 3-1 win over Bemidji State at the annual Hockey Day Minnesota event, taking place this year at Valleyfair. Saturday was Minnesota and Bemidji State's fifth and final matchup this season and looked a lot like the previous four.

So in some ways, their game on Saturday morning in Shakopee versus Bemidji State as part of Hockey Day Minnesota will be an advanced version of those pickup games from a decade or so ago. “I’m pumped to be a part of it.