The Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League (NHL) and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) are set to recognize and honor all of the youth hockey state champions in Minnesota through their Skate for State partnership. Highlighting the partnership will be Youth Hockey Day at the Minnesota Wild Game versus the Vancouver Canucks on Wed., March 26 at Xcel Energy Center. Skate for State also includes an exhibit at the Xcel Energy Center and a photo sweepstakes.

On Youth Hockey Day, the Minnesota Wild will honor the 2014 Minnesota Hockey State Champions in the Youth, Girls and Junior Gold levels at its March 26 game. All 14 state champion teams will be in attendance. Select members of each team will be recognized on the ice during the first intermission.

Also as part of the celebration, a Skate for State exhibit will be on display at the Xcel Energy Center through the next hockey season. The display honors the Minnesota Hockey youth state champions and former Wild players who played in a Minnesota Hockey Youth State Tournament.

Minnesota Wild Chief Operating Officer Matt Majka said, “It is very satisfying for all of us in the community to see how hard work and dedication pays off for these young hockey players. This night is a great opportunity to celebrate their success. We’d like to thank Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota for this fantastic partnership.”

“The Minnesota Wild has a long history of being an amazing supporter of hockey at the youth level in Minnesota,” said Minnesota Hockey Executive Director, Glen Andresen. “Their hosting of Youth Hockey Night and recognizing the hard work of our state champions takes that support to another level. We are so thankful to the Wild and to Blue Cross and Blue Shield for their support of youth and amateur hockey in the state.”

The Skate for State campaign also included a social media contest that invited youth hockey participants to share their photos for a chance to win prizes. To see more details, including submitted photos and results, visit www.skateforstate.com.

2014 State Champions

Grand Rapids (Bantam AA), Highland Central (Bantam A), Wayzata Navy (Bantam B), Osseo Maple Grove Gold (14U A), Edina (14U B), Edina (Peewee AA), Highland Central (Peewee A), White Bear Lake (Peewee B), Mound Westonka - Delano (12U A), Farmington (12U B), Wayzata (Junior Gold A), Edina White (Junior Gold B), Lakeville (Junior Gold 16) and Osseo Maple Grove (19U B).