Fans share excitement as Minnesota Wild prepare to open the season

(ABC 6 News) – As the Minnesota Wild get ready for the first game of the season, fans are also getting ready.

Russ and Vicki Osier from Austin have been season ticket holders for 11 years.

“The Wild are priceless to go see and watch. We kind of have gotten hooked on the Wild for the last 11 years and long before that. It’s an event that’s not only an event but it’s a family gathering,” said Russ.

“We’ve met people over the last 11 years that we’ve gotten to know, travel with, play just as a friends, right? So it’s a family gathering every home hockey game.”

Vicki added: “We grew up around hockey. We love to watch it. The excitement of the game, it’s exciting.”

Russ has a Minnesota Wild tattoo on his right calf and said he is leaving the left one blank until the Wild win a Stanley Cup.

Cathe Hanson from Plainview said the love of hockey spreads across the household. For her son Bryce’s 10th birthday, his family is surprising him with tickets to the game, and a Kaprizov jersey.

“We brought our kids for the very first time in January and my boys have become hooked on everything Wild. Especially my younger son Bryce,” said Hanson.

“When we found out the home opener was on his 10th birthday, we couldn’t resist. We had to get tickets. We’re excited to watch. We’ve watched all the pregames, we’re excited to see where they go.”

Hanson went on to add: “It sounds like they got a really good team. My boys have me watching them on Facebook and Instagram so they know all the new players. So we’re excited to see all the new players.”

Puck drop is at 7 p.m. against the New York Rangers.