Maria Troje Poitras has been the steadying, undefeatable force behind the Minnesota Wild's Sales and Service Department since the team's inception in 2000, responsible for cultivating one of the most admired Season Ticket Member strongholds in the National Hockey League. Starting as a Fan Relations Representative and rising to Vice President, Maria shepherds a team of 12 responsible for retaining the largest share of the revenue for the company. She's also the mind behind collaborative new efforts like the Wild Rewards program and digital ticketing that have driven revenue, shattered sales goals and pushed fan satisfaction to new heights.

Maria, a graduate of Saint Catherine's University, has shaped the fan experience in the State of Hockey into one admired and modeled across professional sports. She has personal relationships with many Season Ticket Members that date back to the team's inception. She and her team have even attended their weddings, funerals, and graduations.

Maria's business insights and unwavering integrity have made her one of the most respected and valued leaders in the Wild organization. She is a constant collaborator for improving business practices and is routinely tapped as a key component in the development of the company's culture and brand initiatives.

Maria and her husband Chris make their home in Blaine, MN, with their three children, Connor, Brady, and Addison.

The 2024-25 season marks Erica McKenzie's 15th season with the Minnesota Wild. Starting with the Wild in 2010 as an intern in the Community Relations department she was able to prove herself to be a professional and hard-working individual and quickly landed a full-time Service position with the organization.

In her earlier years on the Service Team, she worked with over 1,200 Season Ticket Member accounts where she created and built strong relationships with each one personally. The Sales and Service Department was thrilled to welcome Erica's positive energy and leadership skills. Her integrity, drive and deep knowledge of hockey made a promotion to Fan Relations Manager an easy decision.

Erica graduated in 2009 from the University of Minnesota with a major in Journalism and Communications. While attending school Erica played hockey for the Golden Gophers and continued to play on the USA National team. Now Erica's passion for hockey has shifted to the Wild and creating a greater State of Hockey.

Erica resides in Saint Paul, MN, with her Yorkie-Poo, Winston.

Jared joined the Minnesota Wild Fan Relations team as a Premium Service Executive during the 2013-2014 season. Prior to that, he spent five seasons with Xcel Energy Center's Concierge department working games nights and concerts in the Suite and Premium Seating areas.

Growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska, Jared played hockey and continued playing throughout High School in Colorado Springs. After junior hockey, he started at the University of Nebraska. He moved to the State of Hockey in 2008, finishing his degree at McNally Smith in Saint Paul. Jared still enjoys playing hockey, making music and being on the lake with his family during the summer months.

Ryan Kronebusch joined the Wild at the start of the 2011-2012 season. Prior to joining the Wild, Ryan spent three seasons as a Service Executive for the Washington Capitals from 2008-2011. Ryan started his career in the sports industry as a member of the Inside Sales Team for the Phoenix Coyotes during the 2007-2008 season.

Originally from Owatonna, MN, Ryan graduated with a Business Administration degree from Winona State University in the spring of 2007. He enjoys spending time golfing and attending sporting events with friends and family.

Sarah joined the Sales and Service Department in 2015 where she started as an intern and earned a full-time role on the Community Relations Team. Her love for serving our Season Ticket Members brought her back to Sales and Service in the spring of 2017 as part of the Fan Relations Team.

She grew up south of the Twin Cities and earned a degree in Kinesiology from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul where she also played four years of collegiate soccer. Her passion for hockey started at a young age when her family attended many Gopher and Wild hockey games.

Sarah enjoys getting to know her Season Ticket Members and serving them throughout the year to help provide the best possible experience and create a Greater State of Hockey.

Sarah resides in Edina, MN.

Nick Catton has been with the Fan Relations team since the 2018-2019 season. Nick is a graduate of the University of St. Thomas, where he earned a degree in Marketing-Management. Prior to starting with the Wild, Nick worked with St. Thomas Athletics and their Season Ticket Memberships for the football and basketball programs. He then spent three years working with Minnesota United in their Marketing and Events Department before joining the Wild. His passion for working with Season Ticket Members led him back to the service industry and the Fan Relations Department.

Nick roots for all Minnesota sports teams and Liverpool FC. He enjoys listening to podcasts and doing anything he can to be outside. In his free time, he likes to go hiking, camping, and being out on the lake.

Nick currently resides in Minneapolis, MN.

Emma first joined the Fan relations team in August of 2019 as an intern with 4Ever Wild Rewards and then in February of 2020 switched to a full-time position with the Service Team. Her love for sports grew from a young age watching both the Minnesota Vikings and Twins with her family. During her time at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Emma's passion for hockey grew and she is ecstatic to be continuing to work here in the State of Hockey. She is thrilled to take her excitement for the game and provide the best experience for every single Wild fan.

Emma is from Crookston, MN and graduated from the University of Minnesota - Duluth in 2017 with a degree in Communications. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family, as well as getting out to the lake whenever possible.

Emma resides in St. Louis Park, MN.

Colton Christmann joined the Sales & Service team in June 2022. He graduated from the University of Northwestern-St. Paul in 2019 with degrees in Kinesiology-Sport Management and Biblical Studies where he also played four years of collegiate football. His passion for hockey started later than others when he started working with the Fan Engagement Team for the Wild on game days during his senior year.

He spent a year in South Dakota before returning to the Twin Cities as an Inside Sales and Service Representative with the Minnesota Twins. Prior to those teams, he served with Urban Ventures Athletics in Minneapolis and for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks baseball team. Colton is from the Fargo area, where he grew up on a hobby farm in Kindred, ND. He is a big Seahawks fan and enjoys spending time helping on the farm, playing games, and dog sitting.

Zach joined the Sales and Service Department for his first season in 2022. He graduated in 2021 with a degree in Sports, Strategy, & Sales from Baylor University (Sic'em Bears!) At school, he spent time as a student manager for Baylor Football and a partnership activation intern with Learfield IMG College. After graduating, he spent a year with the Minnesota Vikings on their revenue team working with full season accounts, premium seating, and corporate partnerships. His passion for connecting with the Minnesota Sports community brought him to the Fan Relations team in the State of Hockey.

Zach Grew up in the southwest metro as a homegrown Minnesota sports fan. He enjoys playing golf, watching sports, and discovering new restaurants and adventures with his wife Kayla.

Zach currently resides in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Taylor joined the Sales and Service team for her first season in August 2021. A graduate of Saint Mary's University, Taylor earned her degree in Sport Business Communication. While attending Saint Mary's, Taylor was a member of the Cardinal women's hockey team. Her passion for people, business, and the game of hockey brought her to the Sales and Service team with the Wild. She is excited to share her passion for the State of Hockey with her ticket members. Prior to joining the Wild, Taylor spent her time volunteering with St. Paul Johnson Athletics with a heavy emphasis on game day operations.

In her free time, Taylor enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Luke Mericle joined the sales and service team for his first season in October 2022. A graduate of North Dakota State University in 2020, Luke earned his bachelor's degree in Sport Management with a minor in Business Administration. Starting as an intern, Luke spent three seasons with the St. Paul Saints. He finished his time with the Saints as a Senior Account Executive.

Luke grew up in Eagan, MN cheering on the Wild growing up. He is excited to work with the best fans in hockey and share his passion for Minnesota sports. He enjoys playing golf, cheering on Minnesota sports teams and spending time with his lab. He currently resides in Eagan, MN.

Zachary (Zach) became a part of the sales and service team in October 2022. For the past 6 years, he has engaged with the professional sports industry by assisting with aviation ground support for many NHL staff, teams, and fans. He is always dedicated to providing consistent and excellent service for those in his care. Overall, he is looking forward to bringing the Wild community together and creating a greater State of Hockey.

Zach grew up in Stillwater, Minnesota and is thrilled to be surrounded by the team of 18,000+. Currently residing in Saint Paul, he enjoys camping, cycling and long walks with his two dogs (Bean and Spencer) and his wife, Shawna.

Michael became a part of the Sales and Service team for his first season in 2022. He graduated from the University of Iowa in December 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Sport and Recreation Management and an Event Planning Certificate. Michael's previous positions include the Sioux Falls Stampede Hockey Club as a Sales Executive and the Chicago Blackhawks on their street marketing team.

Michael grew up in Mundelein, IL about an hour away from downtown Chicago. In high school, Michael was a tri-sport athlete and played hockey, golf and baseball. In his free time, Michael still laces up his skates and plays in adult hockey leagues. He also enjoys playing golf, watching sports and spending time with family and friends. 

Michael currently resides with his wife, Natalie, and their dog, Millie, in Woodbury, MN.

Dani Mestelle joined the Sales and Service Department for her first season in 2023-2024. Dani is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, where she earned degrees in Finance and Marketing. In La Crosse, Dani played collegiate softball and started her career in sports with the Northwoods League team, the La Crosse Loggers, as a ticket sales coordinator/intern. Prior to starting with the Wild, Dani worked with the Minnesota Twins for three seasons as a Business Development Executive. Her passion for hockey started at a young age as she played from elementary school through high school and still enjoys playing.

Dani is an Eau Claire, WI native and cheers for the Minnesota Twins and Green Bay Packers. She enjoys trying new restaurant and breweries, going to concerts and travelling to new places.

Dani currently resides in Minneapolis, MN.

Maria joined the Wild during the 2023 season. She is coming to the Wild from Red Wing Shoe Company, where she was a Sales Development Representative and a Account Renewals Representative. Before Red Wing Shoe company, She attended Minnesota State University, Mankato. Go Mavs!!

Maria grew up in Red Wing, Minnesota. Growing up in Red Wing, she spent and still spends a lot of time boating on Lake Pepin with her friends and family. She also enjoy walks with her dog Milo, concerts, and golfing. She also has a strong love and passion for hockey. She grew up playing hockey for Red Wing and in college coached 10U and 12U girls’ youth hockey in Mankato. So, as you can tell, hockey is a big part of her life and she couldn’t be happier to work for her dream organization.