Wild to celebrate Military Appreciation Night on Nov. 14 against Arizona

ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Wild today announced details for Military Appreciation Night set for Thursday, Nov. 14, when it hosts the Arizona Coyotes at 7 p.m. at Xcel Energy Center on FOX Sports North and KFAN 100.3 FM. Presented by Thomson Reuters and benefiting Beyond the Yellow Ribbon and United Heroes League, nearly every element of the game will honor the men and women who have bravely served in the Armed Forces and their families.
Nearly 1,500 active or retired military members are expected to be in attendance. The Wild, along with Thomson Reuters, have provided specially-priced tickets for military members and their families. Each specially-priced ticket includes a custom Wild branded camouflage ball cap and a $5 donation to St. Paul and Minneapolis Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Networks and United Heroes League.

The Wild will wear camouflage jerseys during pre-game warmups. Then, each will be autographed by the respective player and auctioned to benefit United Heroes League and the Minnesota Wild Foundation. Bidding for the jerseys will open the afternoon of Nov. 14 on the Minnesota Wild Foundation's Auction page at wild.com/auctions. The auction will also feature limited-edition camo hats and camo locker nameplates signed by individual Wild players. Bidding for these items will close at noon on Monday, Dec. 2. The Minnesota Wild Foundation has also designated Minnesota Warrior Ice Hockey as the game's Split the Pot Raffle beneficiary and United Heroes League members will receive a $1,000 grant for selling game magazines.
Brigadier General Jon Safstrom, one of three Air Force General Officers in the Minnesota National Guard, will deliver the traditional "Let's Play Hockey!" announcement. Minnesota service members representing all five branches of the U.S. Armed forces will make up the joint color guard to accompany Wild anthem singer John deCausmeaker, who served in the United States Navy and U.S. Naval Reserve, for the Star Spangled Banner. Former U.S. Army Captain Andrew Bundermann, a Distinguished Service Cross recipient, will serve as the Guardian of the Game. Retired Command Sergeant Major Douglas Wortham, a 32-year career veteran who has served in a wide variety of leadership roles in the Minnesota National Guard, will be interviewed by WildVision hosts during the first intermission. Additionally, the team will recognize four WWII Veterans in a special on-ice ceremony during the second intermission to honor their service: Richard (95) and Doris Edge (96), Fremont Gruss (94) and Shirley Dotten Westlie (95).
Thursday's game, presented by Thomson Reuters, begins at 7 p.m. on FOX Sports North and KFAN 100.3 FM.