FOX Sports North, in conjunction with the National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild, Wells Fargo and Minnesota Hockey, announced today a cooperative effort to celebrate the Fifth Annual Hockey Day Minnesota with a full day of hockey programming, including telecasts of hockey games taking place across the state on Saturday, February 12, 2011.

Hockey Day Minnesota 2011 on FOX Sports North, presented by Wells Fargo as part of a multi-year agreement, will include a full day of hockey-related programming designed as a celebration of the game from peewees to pros. The city of Moorhead, Minnesota will serve as the background for the high school games featured in the Hockey Day Minnesota 2011 lineup.

“Moorhead is an ideal location to celebrate the community spirit of Minnesota Hockey,” said Dave Margenau, President of Minnesota Hockey.  “The Moorhead Youth Hockey Association is well respected and will represent all that makes hockey in Minnesota so special.”

“Hockey Day Minnesota continues to grow and build tradition throughout the State of Hockey,” said Mike Dimond, Senior Vice President and General Manager of FOX Sports North. “It provides an opportunity to highlight hockey in Minnesota at all levels and we’re very excited to showcase the programs in Moorhead.”

Hockey Day Minnesota coverage will also include a Minnesota Wild game from Xcel Energy Center, as well as a University of Minnesota Golden Gopher game. A complete list of games and programming schedule will be released at a later date.

“Hockey Day Minnesota has quickly become a date that the residents of the State of Hockey mark on their calendars,” Wild Chief Operating Officer Matt Majka said. “The Wild is pleased to partner with Wells Fargo, FOX Sports North, Minnesota Hockey and the city of Moorhead on this tremendous day.”

Last season’s day-long event took place on January 23, 2010 and included 21 hours of hockey-related programming with five games from three different Minnesota locations: the Hermantown Hockey Complex in Hermantown, Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul and Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis. A record-breaking 3,500 fans attended the outdoor high school hockey games and activities in Hermantown. Other previous locations include Baudette Bay and St. Paul.

“I remember spending a lot of winter days on the outdoor rinks with my brothers and buddies,” said Ottawa Senators forward Matt Cullen, a Moorhead High School alumnus. “We had a rink in the backyard that my dad built. We hung lights from the gutters so we could play at night with all our buddies. I still remember the silver bucket that was our Stanley Cup. We'd play all day and well into the night until mom called us in for hot chocolate.  Some of my best hockey memories were made right on that rink. “

“Growing up in Moorhead, the only thing that I dreamed about was playing for the Spuds,” said Ottawa Senators defenseman Brian Lee, a product of the Moorhead Youth Hockey system. “When I finally got to high school and was lucky enough to pull that Moorhead jersey over my head and wear the 'M' logo across my chest, I remember being so proud and wanting to do everything I could to continue the tradition that is Moorhead hockey. I still remember playing for the Spuds like it was yesterday and it is still some of the most fun I've ever had playing hockey.”

FOX Sports North reaches more than 2 million homes throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and North and South Dakota and telecasts nearly 2,600 hours of locally produced programming per year. For more information about the Emmy Award-winning regional sports network, visit: www.foxsportsnorth.com.

The Minnesota Wild just finished its ninth NHL season after bringing hockey at its highest-level back to Minnesota for the 2000-01 campaign. The Wild claimed its first-ever Northwest Division title in 2007-08 and has sold out all 409 games played at Xcel Energy Center in franchise history.

Wells Fargo in Minnesota provides financial services from 226 locations and employs approximately 20,000 team members throughout the state. For information on banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance, visit wellsfargo.com or any Wells Fargo store in your community.

Minnesota Hockey, an affiliate of USA Hockey, is the governing body of youth and amateur hockey in Minnesota.  With over 63,000 registered players, coaches, and officials, it is the largest state governing body for amateur hockey in the United States.

Hockey Day in Minnesota 2011, Moorhead is non-profit organization headed by representatives from Moorhead Youth Hockey Association, Moorhead High School athletics and local hockey supporters. For more information, including sponsorship opportunities, send an e-mail to HDM2011@moorheadyouthhockey.com.