3 in the Box opens up the 2016-2017 season discussing the Wild and the upcoming season. Testing out the new live setup where you can now tune in live every week for the 3 in the Box show and even join in the chat live. Who made the cut? Who’s time is it to shine? Who likes Roy-fles? Be sure to check us out on YouTube and follow us on Twitter.
Author: Jive
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #3
3. Andrew Brunette – LW 6 Seasons, 489 Games, 119 Goals, 202 Assists, 321 Points Responsible for probably the most memorable moment in Wild history to date, the #3 player on the 3ITB Top 33 is Andrew Brunette. Brunette spent a total of 6 seasons with the Wild and currently has the 3rd most goals for the Wild in franchise history. Brunette was somewhat of a franchise starter you might say, spending time with young franchises like the Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers and our own Minnesota Wild during his long playing career in the NHL. If durability in a star isMore
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #8
8. Wes Walz – C 7 Seasons, 438 Games, 82 Goals, 100 Assists, 182 Points Eighth on the 3ITB Top 33 is Wes Walz. One of the hardest working guys in hockey, Walz came to the Wild from the Swiss League where he played after being bounced around NHL teams and the AHL for years. Always giving everything that he had as a member of the inaugural Wild team, he helped the Wild advance all the way to the conference finals in that magical 2003 playoff run. An original iron man for the Wild Walz played in 438 games over the 7 seasons that heMore
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #9
9. Ryan Suter – D 4 Seasons, 289 Games, 22 Goals, 142 Assists, 164 Points Mastering the art of calmness and gliding into the #9 spot on the 3ITB Top 33 is none other than Ryan Suter. Suter’s signing with the Wild was announced on a warm July 4th in 2012 shocking Wild Nation, much to the dismay of Nashville fans. Every visit the Wild had to Nashville saw the boo birds come out for Suter. Defensively the Wild count on Suter to be the backbone. Since joining the Wild, Suter has been a top line defenseman and king of time on ice.More
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #12
12. Jared Spurgeon- D 6 Seasons, 372 Games, 37 Goals, 93 Assists, 130 Points A lucky break is what the Wild received in 2010, when Spurgeon couldn’t come to terms with the New York Islanders and came to training camp for the Wild and signed an entry-level contract. Year over year Spurgeon continues to impress and improve his game. With consistent and solid play in the defensive zone, he has also become a force in the offensive zone as well. With the Wild, Spurgeon has kept himself positive in +/- column making himself a invaluable asset to the team. In 2015 the Wild rewarded him withMore
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #15
15. Antti Miettinen – RW 3 Seasons, 234 Games, 51 Goals, 70 Assists, 121 Points 15th on the 3 in the Box Top 33 Wild Players of All Time is Antti Miettinen. Another Finn that played for the Wild and posted strong numbers. Miettinen was signed as a free agent by the Wild during the off-season in 2008. Off the ice Miettinen is a man after my own heart, playing the guitar in a rock band. This did not sway him at all from being a productive member of the top line for the Wild. He may not be in any Wild record books,More
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #18
18. Pascal Dupuis – LW 6 Seasons, 334 Games, 67 Goals, 74 Assists, 141 Points Coming in 18th is the other #11, Pascal Dupuis. Dupuis’ run with the Wild from 2001 to 2007 during the Lemaire era was highlighted by the 2003 playoff run. Dupuis was an all around player. His defensive skill found him on the penalty kill, yet he was offensive enough to play the powerplay as well. His commitment to the team and hard work are hard to match. Reminds me of another #11 for the Wild. Plagued with lingering injuries during the 2003-2004 season, Dupuis production was down.More
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #20
20. Eric Belanger – C 3 Seasons, 214 Games, 39 Goals, 69 Assists, 108 Points Squeaking into the top 20 is Center Eric Belanger. Though not having an extremely long tenure with the Minnesota Wild, Belanger was an all around player with grit. One of the most memorable moments for Belanger came while he was not wearing a Wild uniform. Who can forget the scene of him pulling out a tooth while on the bench with just a piece of gauze. Belanger was a great 2-way player. Defensively he was solid and quite often showed his offensive skill when givenMore
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #22
22. Marco Scandella- D 6 Seasons, 302 Games, 23 Goals, 53 Assists, 76 Points Coming up through the Wild system and steadily improving his game is not the only achievements Marco Scandella has made. He also made it to #22 on the 3 in the Box Top 33 of all time list. Scandella was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the 2nd round of the 2008 draft. As a true product of the Wild’s system, spending his early years with the Houston Aeros, Scandella has become a top rated defenseman in the NHL. Scandella has been a cornerstone of the WildMore
3ITB’s Top 33 Wild Players of All Time – #25
25. Willie Mitchell – D 5 Seasons, 288 Games, 9 Goals, 48 Assists, 57 Points One of the original tough guys for the Minnesota Wild, defenseman Willie Mitchell was definitely a crowd favorite while in Minnesota. Not known for his offense, he was a defensive force on the ice. He came to the Wild via a trade for Sean O’Donnell late in their inaugural season on March 4, 2001. Mitchell was also part of the magical 2003 playoff run playing through torn ligaments in his hand and only missing a few shifts after fracturing his cheekbone. His role with theMore