With events nearly every day at Xcel Energy Center and its adjoining facilities, the team has been forced to practice elsewhere around the Twin Cities from time to time. Though the Wild will share the rink with a variety of other groups, including the DinoMights youth hockey organization and Hamline University's men's and women's hockey teams, there's an increased degree of consistency in the practice plans now.
"We always know it's gonna be here and we can always practice here, so that's nice in itself," Coyle said.
Until the rest of its space is ready, Minnesota will still use Xcel Energy Center as primary home base for practices. Within weeks, though, the Wild will be fully moved into its new practice home.
"The coolest part will be when we're in the dressing room and new facility and the new amenities that we're gonna have that's gonna make the trainers' lives easier," said Wild forward Marcus Foligno. "Once we get in there, that'll be pretty cool, but right now, the ice surface and everything is great."
Building a rink on the fifth floor of a building is an architectural feat, and how to keep the ice quality high was a question early on in the planning stages of the rink. Luckily, that doesn't seem to be an issue; Eric Staal and Wild coach Bruce Boudreau both added to the chorus of praise for the ice surface.
And though the team isn't quite ready to make the full-time jump a few blocks northeast yet, the promise of what's to come is tantalizing.
"I think this is going to be great for our team," Boudreau said. "I think the players are going to love it."
Boudreau is no stranger to designated practice facilities. Both of his previous NHL teams, the Washington Capitals and Anaheim Ducks, have their own facilities away from their main arenas. A change of scenery may do a team good every now and again, even for the winningest teams.
The Wild has an impressive 17-4-4 record on home ice this season, and much of that success has come recently. Since Nov. 14, the Wild has earned a point in 17 of its last 18 home games, posting a 14-1-3 record and leading the NHL in both wins and points at home.
Once the rest of the facilities are ready at Treasure Island Center, coaches will have more space to sit down and check in with players. The training and equipment staffs also won't have to move their equipment around as frequently, since the team won't be practicing halfway across the Twin Cities when there's a scheduling conflict. It will almost be a home away from home for the team and staff.
"I'm sure it'll help us," said Staal. "It's got a good vibe."
With only four games on the road in January and five in February, that comfort and home-ice advantage will continue to be critical in a tight Central Division. The Wild sits sixth in the division, square with Colorado with 57 points.
Only eight points separate it from the No. 1 Winnipeg Jets.
"I think we want to just keep it rolling. We know the urgency in the League, especially in our conference and our division, is picking up," Foligno said. "It doesn't seem like anyone is really losing in our division, which is tough, and we gotta make sure we keep winning from here on out."
"That's our mindset every day, come to practice, get better, get something out of it and get ready for the next game," Coyle said. "Other teams in our division aren't slowing down, so we can't either."
Related:
- Photo blog: Inaugural Wild practice at TRIA Rink
- Behind the scenes on managing Xcel Energy Center, TRIA Rink
