Let's Play Hockey!

Anyone who has been to the Xcel Energy Center for a Wild game knows that right before the start of the game, the arena announcer "directs your attention to the Fox Sports North stage for a special announcement." Each night someone - often a former player, local celebrity, a Twins or Vikings player, etc. - is there to say, "Okay fans, it's time to drop the puck. So everyone say it with me...Let's play hockey."

It's a tradition that links the Wild organization back to the days of the North Stars at Met Center, where rink public address announcer Bob Utecht would always call "Let's play hockey," at the opening faceoff.

Anyway, I was thrilled to get a call from the Guest Services staff today, saying that they wanted to round up a few of us who have worked at the X since Day One (Sept. 29, 2000, Wild vs. Anaheim) and have us do the LPH call. It was a real privilege to share the stage and microphone with these six colleagues, all of whom have 10 years in with the organization. Thank you to the Wild, and to "the greatest hockey fans in the world," for the opportunity, which I'll never forget.