Goal No. 1 in the alumni game is simple, accordin to Neal Broten.
"Don't get hurt," the former North Stars center said.
With that in mind, Broten and a host of other former NHL players strapped on pads of varying age and practicality Wednesday for the first in a series of just-for-fun pickup games at Xcel Energy Center.
The idea is to limber up and recapture some skills in advance of the Feb. 20 alumni game at TCF Bank Stadium, part of the NHL Stadium Series weekend that will culmniate with an outdoor game between the Wild and Blackhawks the following night.