Little Wild Learn to Play Program

The Minnesota Wild, Minnesota Hockey, CCM, Pure Hockey, NHL, and NHLPA are pleased to announce that the 11th 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 1,200 boys and girls at 20 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.

Additional information regarding registration, cost, dates and rink locations will be available Spring of 2024.

Sing Up for Youth Programming Communication

 

2023 Little Wild Learn to Play Locations
LOCATION RINK DAY DATES TIME REGISTRATION
Armstrong Cooper New Hope Ice Arena Thursday 9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28 6:15-7:15 pm Closed
Bloomington Bloomington Ice Garden Monday 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2 6:00-7:00 pm Closed
Buffalo Buffalo Civic Center Wednesday 9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27 6:15-7:15 pm Closed
Burnsville Burnsville Ice Center Tuesday 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 7:15-8:15 pm Closed
Coon Rapids Coon Rapids Ice Center Sunday 9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1 4:20-5:20 pm Closed
Delano Delano Area Sports Arena Monday/
Thursday		 9/25, 9/28, 10/2, 10/5 7:00-8:00 pm Closed
Dodge County Four Seasons Arena Thursday 9/7, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28 5:45-6:45 pm Closed
Duluth Heritage Sports Center Sunday 9/10, 9/17*, 9/24, 10/1 5:30-6:30 pm Closed
Eden Prairie Eden Prairie Community Center Wednesday 9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27 5:45-6:45 pm Closed
Hastings Hastings Civic Arena Tuesday 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 7:00-8:00 pm Closed
Marshall Red Baron Arena & Expo Sunday 9/10, 9/17, 9/24, 10/1 2:00-3:00 pm Closed
Minneapolis Parade Ice Garden Saturday 9/9, 9/16, 9/23, 9/30 10:15-11:15 am Closed
Mounds View/
Irondale		 Shoreview Arena Monday/
Wednesday		 10/2, 10/4, 10/9, 10/11 5:30-6:30 pm Closed
Plymouth Plymouth Ice Center Wednesday 9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27 6:00-7:00 pm Closed
Monticello Moose Sherritt Ice Arena Friday 9/8, 9/15, 9/22, 9/29 5:30-6:30 pm Closed
Rosemount Rosemount Ice Arena Tuesday 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 6:15-7:15 pm Closed
Sartell SCHEELS Athletic Complex Wednesday 9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27 6:15-7:15 pm Closed
St. Paul TRIA Rink Wednesday 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4 6:45-7:45 pm Closed
St. Paul** TRIA Rink Wednesday 9/13, 9/20, 9/27, 10/4 5:30-6:30 pm Closed
Waconia Waconia Ice Arena Tuesday 9/5, 9/12, 9/19, 9/26 5:00-6:00 pm Closed
Woodbury M Health Fairview Sports Center Wednesday 9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27 5:30-6:30 pm Closed

 

*This session will run from 5:15-6:15 p.m.
**This location at the specific dates and times is for girls only.

 

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 2023 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.

2023 Little Wild FAQs

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

To be eligible for Little Wild 2023, children must be born between September 1, 2014 and September 1, 2018. 

Please note, 5 year olds must have had their 5th birthday by September 1, 2023 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 2022?

Registration opens at 10:00 am (CST) on Monday, May 22.

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 $175.00 (+$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 60 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.