Wild signs free agent 'Breezer' to a training contract
The Minnesota Wild will have a little more bark this season, signing Breezer the labrador to a one-year training contract.
Breezer, 12 weeks old, is a rescue dog from Coco's Heart Dog Rescue which is based in Hudson, Wisconsin. Breezer will be raised to become a future service dog with Solider's 6, a local non-profit that provides honorable discharged veterans, police officers and fire fighters with service dogs.
Gooooob afternoon! The @mnwild humans signed me to a contract. pic.twitter.com/T0mU6Y8I0X
— Dino (@mnwildpup) August 19, 2019
Following his training, Breezer will be placed with a veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder as a "Battle Buddy."
Wild President Matt Majka and his wife Kym will foster the pup's training until the summer of 2020.
Fans will be able to see Breezer at most Wild home games this coming season and he'll be at the Wild booth at Minnesota State Fair on the following dates:
- Monday, Aug. 26, 2-3 a.m.
- Wednesday, Aug. 28, 10-11 a.m.
- Friday, Aug. 30, 10-11 a.m.
Last season, six NHL teams adopted puppies, including the defending Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues, who adopted Barclay. Their dog turned into a viral celebrity helping out at practice and stealing the heart of iconic play-by-play man Doc Emrick.
So if it worked for the Blues – who captured their first Stanley Cup last season – maybe Breezer can help the State of Hockey hoist Lord Stanley next season.
Maybe Bruce Boudreau will make him the team's top-line center, giving the Wild the game breaker they've been lacking for years.
