The official announcement of the Baudette Bay Hockey Classic was made live at the MN WILD game on Thursday, November 2. Thousands of hockey fans at the game and around the region were introduced to what is an unprecedented day of hockey on Fox Sports Network.

The Minnesota Wild and FSN North have proclaimed January 20 as "Hockey Day Minnesota", and 11 consecutive hours of hockey will be shown, highlighting the game from peewees to the pros. Three games at three different levels - St. Paul Johnson high school at Lake of the Woods high school at 1:00 PM in an outdoor game played on the Baudette Bay, Denver University at the University of Minnesota at 5:30 PM and the Dallas Stars at the Minnesota Wild at 8:00 PM - will highlight the day.

FSN North’s Anthony LaPanta will man the desk for all 11 hours at the Xcel Energy Center, which will serve as home base for the day. LaPanta will interview numerous special guests and introduce unique hockey-related features and vignettes.

"This is a great example of the strength of our commitment to the Minnesota Wild, the University of Minnesota, and the entire sport of hockey," said FSN North Vice President and General Manager Mike Dimond. "Taking a day to celebrate hockey on all levels is an excellent opportunity to offer viewers a truly unique televised experience."

Members of the Baudette Bay Hockey Classic Committee including City Council Member Jeff Hovde, Lake of the Woods Tourism Director Denelle Hovde, Assistant Varsity Hockey Coach Keith Block and his wife Sarah, as well as BBHC Coordinator Sara Thompson were able to be present at the game for the announcement. Block and the head coach from St. Paul Johnson were given special honors at the beginning of the game as they were given an official MN WILD Red Jersey and featured on the FOX stage and shouted to all the fans, "Let’s Play Hockey" just before the drop of the puck.

The official announcement of Hockey Day Minnesota occurred between the first and second period, with special attention and recognition given to the Baudette Bay Hockey Classic both on the FSN TV broadcast and live on the jumbo screens at the game. Hovde, Block and the St. Paul Johnson Coach were all part of the live interview that touched on the uniqueness of this historic outdoor game played on the Baudette Bay.

After the announcement the BBHC representatives were whisked off to a center ice suite to watch the remainder of the game in which the WILD defeated the Vancouver Canucks 5-2. "We were treated like royalty," commented Jeff Hovde. "We talked with a number of key MN WILD and FSN contacts," including Brad Bombardir, Doug Woog and WILD Executive Vice President Matt Majka. "Hockey fans here deserve an event of this stature," said Majka. "We’re pleased Xcel Energy Center and the Minnesota Wild will be able to play a role in it."

To learn more about Hockey Day Minnesota, visit www.wild.com.