Zuckers 'humbled' on #Give16 Suite Night at Xcel Energy Center

ST. PAUL -- Long after the concourses were cleared and Xcel Energy Center fell silent save for the faint sounds of cleanup crews pulling the late shift Wednesday, Jason Zucker remained.
The Wild winger wore a crisp, sparkling black suit, the words "Give 16" embroidered over the left interior pocket. With his wife Carly by his side, Zucker greeted, one-by-one, members of charity groups that took part in the family's #Give16 Suite Night, signing autographs, sharing stories and thanking local businesses for their contributions to a community outreach effort that continues to expand and evolve.

It's nights like these that serve as a primary reason Zucker desired greatly to
stay in Minnesota
upon reaching restricted free agency this past offseason.
"It's been phenomenal," Jason Zucker said. "For Carly and I, it's been very fulfilling, and a lot of fun to get to meet all these kids and families from all these different charities, and all these companies that support these charities. They've all supported us from Day 1."
With backing from several corporate partners, the Zuckers hosted different groups in 16 -- the same number Zucker wears on his Wild sweater and the namesake of his charitable campaign -- suites for Minnesota's 6-4 victory over Ottawa. Children's Minnesota, DinoMights youth hockey organization, the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Athletes Committed to Educating Students and Minnesota Special Hockey were just some of the charities on hand.
In style, they watched Zucker throw a nifty back-hand pass from behind the Senators net to assist on Eric Staal's game-winning goal.

Last season, the Zuckers' #Give16 campaign raised over $1 million for construction of the Zucker Family Suite and Broadcast Studio at Masonic. The space, which will allow children to produce and host their programming and watch Wild games in a fully outfitted theater, is set to open Monday.
Wednesday night was, in many ways, a celebration of that milestone, Carly Zucker said.
"Tonight is all about giving thanks to the charity partners and local businesses who have been supporting #Give16," the KFAN radio host and mother of two said. "You honestly can't say 'thank you' enough."
Zucker's efforts earned him recognition as a King Clancy Memorial Trophy -- awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership both on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to his community --
finalist
for 2017-18. The number 16 has been a mainstay; the Zuckers started #Give16 by donating $160,000, then pledged $1,600 more for every goal he scored (33) last season.
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Fans and businesses have followed suit, and the state-of-the-art space for patients and their families to enjoy marks the culmination of a journey that began when Jason and Carly met 8-year-old Tucker Helstrom at the same children's hospital. The osteosarcoma that had hospitalized Tucker would eventually claim his life, but not before he formed a relationship with the Zuckers that led to the creation of "Team Tucker's Locker" at Masonic and later #Give16.
"It's incredibly humbling to see everybody come together to make this happen," Carly Zucker said. "We're just excited to see the kids use [the suite and broadcast studio], because that's what all of this has been about. To watch the kids use the space will be worth every minute you spend on something like this."