Bloomington Ice Garden (BIG) is no stranger to hosting top-tier talent. Home to five coveted Minnesota State High School League boys’ hockey championships, and one girl’s state championship, the three-sheet facility has churned out its fair share of NHL players, including former Minnesota Wild forward Mark Parrish. BIG also served as a training facility for the 1980 Miracle on Ice Olympic team, and once hosted Wayne Gretzky.
On Sunday morning the Minnesota Wild were added to the list of elite tenants, holding an open practice for the community and its fans. The practice was in part to celebrate BIG winning the 2017 Kraft Hockeyville USA Western Division and placing second nationally in the contest, winning $75,000.