Little Wild Learn to Play Program

The Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Hockey, CCM, Pure Hockey, NHL, and NHLPA are pleased to announce that the 12th Annual Little Wild Learn to Play program will return in the Fall of 2024. The Little Wild Learn to Play program will be available for approximately 1,300 boys and girls at 22 locations across the State of Hockey.

The Little Wild program is intended for first-time hockey players ages 5-8. Eligible participants must be between the ages of 5-8 as of September 1, 2024. The program is intended for boys and girls who have not previously participated in organized youth hockey programs. Children who have participated in past Little Wild programs are also not eligible to participate. Those in violation of these rules will not be allowed to participate and their registration fee will not be refunded.

All participants will receive four one-hour on-ice sessions led by the Minnesota Hockey ADM team and a full set of CCM hockey equipment. Kids who do not have skating experience are strongly encouraged to take skating lessons prior to their first Little Wild on-ice session.

All participants will be invited to attend a pre-season Wild game at Xcel Energy Center for the 2024-2025 season. Little Wild participants will each receive a FREE ticket to a designated game and have the option to purchase additional tickets through a special ticket offer.

Registration for the 12th Annual Little Wild Learn to Play program opens Monday, May 20 at 10 a.m.

2024 Little Wild Learn to Play Locations

Location
Rink
Day
Dates
Time
Bloomington
Bloomington Ice Garden
Thursday
September 5, 12, 19, 26
7-8 pm
Brooklyn Park
Brooklyn Park Ice Arena 
Tuesday 
September 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1
6:15-7:15 pm
Buffalo
Buffalo Civic Center
Wednesday 
September 4, 11, 18, 25
5-6 pm 
Cottage Grove
Cottage Grove Ice Arena 
Wednesday 
September 4, 11, 18, 25
5-6 pm
Duluth
Heritage Sports Center
Sunday 
September 8, 15September 22, 29
1:45-2:45 pm5:15pm-6:15 pm
Eden Prarie 
Eden Prarie Community Center
Wednesday 
September 4, 11, 18, 25
5:45-6:45 pm
Forest Lake
Forest Lake Sports Center
Thursday
September 5, 12, 19, 26
5:15-6:15 pm
Grand Rapids 
Yanmar Arena (Ira Civic Center)
Thursday
September 5, 12, 19, 26
6-7 pm 
Minneapolis
Parade Ice Garden
Saturday 
September 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5
10:15-11:15 am 
Monticello
Moose Sherritt Ice Arena
Friday
September 6, 13, 20, 27
5:30-6:30 pm
Armstrong Cooper 
New Hope Ice Arena
Thursday
September 5, 12, 19, 26
6:15-7:15 pm
Northfield
St. Olaf Ice Arena
Thursday
September 5, 12, 19, 26
6-7 pm 
Richfield
Richfield Ice Arena 
Thursday
September 5, 12, 19, 26
6-7 pm 
Rochester
Rochester Recreation Center 
Tuesday 
September 3, 10, 17, 24
6:45-7:45 pm
Sartell
SCHEELS Athletic Complex
Wednesday 
September 4, 11, 18, 25
6-7 pm 
Shakopee
Shakopee Ice Arena 
Thursday
September 5, 12, 19, 26
5-6 pm (26th at 5:15 pm)
Sioux Falls
Midco Arena 
Tuesday 
September 3, 10, 17, 24
6-7 pm 
St. Paul (TRIA Rink)
TRIA Rink
Wednesday 
September 4, 11, 18, 25
6:45-7:45 pm
St. Paul (TRIA Rink)-All Girls
TRIA Rink
Wednesday 
September 4, 11, 18, 25
5:30-6:30 pm
Stillwater
St. Croix Valley Recreation Center 
Wednesday 
September 4, 11, 18, 25
4-5 pm 
Waconia
Waconia Ice Arena 
Tuesday 
September 3, 10, 17, 24
5-6 pm 
Woodbury
HealthEast Sports Center
Wednesday 
September 4, 11, 18, 25
5-6 pm 
ALL DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
  • Cancellations: We understand that situations occur that may prevent you from participating in the Little Wild Learn to Play program. If you need to cancel your registration, please contact us at [email protected] and a refund will be processed. Cancellations must be requested before equipment fitting takes place.

Equipment Fittings

All equipment fittings for the 2024 Little Wild Program will be held in person at a Pure Hockey location. Once registered, participants will receive more information about equipment fitting and ordering information.


2024 Little Wild FAQs

- What ages can participate in the Little Wild Learn to Play Program?

To be eligible for Little Wild 2024, children must be born between September 1, 2015 and September 1, 2019.

Please note, 5-year-olds must have had their 5th birthday by September 1, 2024 to be eligible to participate.

If your child is 9 years or older, he/she is ineligible for the Little Wild program.

- Who is the Little Wild Learn to Play Program intended for?

The program is intended for children who have not participated in organized youth hockey programs before. Children who have previously participated in Little Wild are not eligible to participate in the Little Wild program. The Minnesota Wild and Little Wild Learn to Play reserve the right to cross-reference all participants and remove children who are ineligible without refund.

If your child participated in a Learn to Skate program, he/she is eligible for Little Wild.

-How do I register for Little Wild Learn to Play 2024?

Registration opens at 10:00 am (CST) on Monday, May 20.

-Does my child need to know how to skate before the Little Wild Program?

Yes. We highly recommend skating lessons before the start of the Little Wild Program. Taking skating lessons will greatly improve your child's experience in the Little Wild program. Little Wild participants should be able to skate the width of the ice without assistance before their first Little Wild clinic. For further information on skating lessons, please check out your local community education or rinks for classes.

-How much does Little Wild cost and what is included in the fee?

The total cost of the Little Wild Learn to Play Program is $189.00 (+$5 registration fee). This fee covers a full set of custom-fit equipment from Pure Hockey, a Little Wild jersey, a USA Hockey membership, a complimentary ticket to a Wild pre-season game, and four, one-hour skating sessions at your appointed location. Participants keep all equipment at the completion of the program.

-Where do we sign up for equipment fittings?

When you register for the Little Wild Learn to Play Program, you will receive more information on equipment fitting dates and times at a Pure Hockey store location. These dates, times, and locations are usually announced in June.

-I need to cancel my child's registration, will I be refunded?

Yes. As long as you cancel before you order equipment, you will receive a full refund. All cancellations need to be submitted prior to August 1st.

Please contact us regarding your refund at 651-312-3443 or email [email protected].

-Who are the Little Wild coaches?

All coaches are USA Hockey certified ADM (American Development Model) coaches. Many are current Minnesota High School hockey coaches.

-I successfully completed registration for this season's Little Wild Program, what do I do next?

Welcome to the Little Wild team! You will receive an email from our program directing you to the next steps, including when and how to get fitted online for your equipment.

-I want to register my child for the Little Wild Learn to Play Program, but it is sold out. Is there a waiting list?

Each site has a maximum of 65 participants. Should a cancellation arise, we will update the website to reflect an opening in the session. Payment will be due upon acceptance.

-After the completion of the Little Wild Program, where do we go from here?

We hope your child thoroughly enjoyed their experience with Little Wild. All Little Wild participants will receive a USA Hockey membership number directly from USA Hockey. With this number participants can now register for their local association for organized hockey. If your child is not ready for a full season, we suggest further skating lessons to continue developing your skater's ability and confidence on the ice.