WILD PREPARES FOR NEXT STEP AS FRANCHISE
Sep 9, 2015By Tom Witosky
Follow Tom @toskyAHLWild
The Iowa Wild opens its third American Hockey League season on October 10 with the confidence that comes from spending two years establishing itself within a community initially skeptical of its chances of success.
But the record – as any politician would say – speaks for itself.
Consider this:
--Despite a second non-playoff season, the Wild kept pace in attendance as it ranked in the upper half in the league averaging 5,659 fans per game. In addition, the club has held onto more than 80 percent of its season ticket holders going into this season and successfully established a new season ticket holder club, Wild 365, as part of that effort.
--The Wild increased the number of its corporate sponsors from just over 150 last year to more than 250 following its second non-playoff season. The Wild also contributed more than $150,000 in ticket and cash donations to Des Moines area charities including the ALS Association Iowa Chapter, the American Heart Association and Susan G. Komen of Iowa in the battle against breast cancer.
--The Wild won one of the AHL’s top franchise awards when league officials named the club as providing the best fan experience and its mascot, Crash, received the annual award for Mascot of Character from the Character Counts in Iowa program.
--The Wild now has more than 33,000 followers on Facebook, 13,000 followers on Twitter and another several thousand on Instagram.
Asked if the foundation for the Iowa Wild as a permanent fixture in Des Moines has been established, Todd Frederickson, club president, was quick with his answer.
“Absolutely,” he replied. “I think our staff and team have put in the best effort teaching people the game of hockey, getting around in the community and becoming a strong member of the community.”
But Frederickson also understands that the one missing piece has been a successful season on the ice, but even that can be seen as a positive, the Iowa Wild’s top executive said.
“We see this as an opportunity to only go up,” Frederickson said, pointing out that one season turnarounds aren’t unusual in the AHL “For us, we have had great fan support and while we have struggled on the ice, we can only get better. Our fans are going to be able to experience that ride and it should be a fun one.”
One major league change is the establishment of a seven-team West Division that includes five franchises in California -- San Diego, Ontario, Stockton, San Jose and Bakersfield. Texas and San Antonio also move to the division. Iowa is scheduled to play against Texas, San Antonio, San Jose and Stockton.
“I think the fans will enjoy seeing a couple of new teams that haven’t played before in Iowa,” Frederickson said.
On the business side, Frederickson said that community acceptance has been gratifying. He said that potential corporate sponsors have responded enthusiastically, partially because of the club’s penetration on social media outlets, but also the club’s involvement in Des Moines area schools with its reading and floor hockey programs.
“Last year, we had more than 35,000 kids participating at 100 schools,” he said, adding that he club ran out of equipment to provide to schools.
Frederickson said that fans also will find new features to help entertain them before during and after each match. A new and improved high definition video board and substantially better lighting within the arena will be the most noticeable. On the concourse, there will be new skill games for children to try before games and during intermissions.
“We put a lot of time and effort into making our games a fun experience,” he said. “No matter what is happening on the ice we want our fans to have a fun time while they are there.”
At the same time, Frederickson said that fans attending the Wild’s games last season “are the reason we won that award.”
“Obviously, you have to have great fans to win the fan experience award,” he said.
Released on Aug. 27, the AHL schedule shows that the Wild will have 28 home dates on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and while he wishes there were more weekend dates for the hockey team, he also understands that Wells Fargo Arena is going to be a busy place this fall and spring that will include an NCAA volleyball regional and the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
“That is what happens when you have such a crowded building,” he said. “But the building has done a really good job helping us.”
As for the future, Frederickson said that he is hoping to begin a series of bigger events that will add to the Wild’s attractiveness to the community. Those include a potential preseason game in Des Moines for the Minnesota Wild and a possible outdoor game.
“Those are the kinds of things we would like to do as well as have a major concert follow one of our games,” he said. “It is time for us to start thinking bigger.”
TRACKING THE WILD:
*The Wild About Education - School Day Game will be played on Thursday, Nov. 5 at 10:30 a.m. against the Milwaukee Admirals. More than 6,000 tickets already have been sold for the early start game.
*Key promotional game dates-- Iowa celebrates ALS / Veterans Appreciation weekend on Nov. 13 and 14. The team will wear specialty jerseys available for purchase via a live auction after the game on Nov. 14 vs. Rockford. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the ALS Association – Iowa Chapter. Also, this year’s Teddy Bear Toss match is slated for Sunday, Dec. 20 at 3 p.m. with a visit from San Antonio Rampage.
*Look for an announcement on the broadcast agreement soon. Wild fans will again be able to listen to all games on either 1460 KXNO Radio or IHeart Radio. The club and the station have agreed to terms on a two-year contract, which will likely include a monthly Iowa Wild radio show.
*The Wild is in the midst of a renovation of its locker room in Wells Fargo Arena and is planning to improve its locker room facilities at the Metro Ice Arena Facility where the club practices when Wells Fargo isn’t available.