Minnesota Trades Falk to Columbus, Receives Leopold
March 2, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Iowa Wild News Release
DES MOINES, IA - Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher on Monday announced the National Hockey League (NHL) club has acquired defenseman Jordan Leopold from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for defenseman Justin Falk and a fifth-round selection in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft.
Leopold, 34 (8/3/80), has collected three points (1-23) and 11 penalty minutes (PIM) in 27 games with Columbus and St. Louis this season. The 6-foot-1, 213-pound native of Golden Valley, Minn., has recorded 213 points (67-146213) and 285 PIM while averaging 20:43 in TOI/game in 677 career NHL contests during 12 seasons with Calgary, Colorado, Florida, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, St. Louis and Columbus. He set career highs with 13 goals and 35 points with the Sabres in 2010-11. Leopold has recorded 17 assists, a plus-4 rating and 26 PIM in 71 career playoff games with the Flames, Penguins, Sabres and Blues. Leopold will wear jersey No. 33 with the Wild. Twenty Minnesota natives have played in a game with the Wild in franchise history, with 14 Minnesotans scoring a goal for the Wild.
Leopold represented the United States at the 2006 Winter Olympics, played in four World Championships (2002, 2003, 2005 and 2008) and two World Junior Championships (1999, 2000). He played four seasons at the University of Minnesota (1998-2002) and notched 144 points (45-99144) and 106 PIM in 164 games. Leopold won the 2002 Hobey Baker Memorial Award and was a member of the Gophers 2002 NCAA National Championship team. Leopold was originally selected by Anaheim in the second round (44th overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft.
Falk, 26 (10/11/88), appeared in 13 games with Minnesota this season and collected seven points (1-67) in 39 contests with the Iowa Wild. He has collected 17 points (1-1617) and 127 PIM in 142 career NHL contests with the Wild and the New York Rangers. Falk was originally selected by Minnesota in the fourth round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft. Falk spent part of this season with the Iowa Wild, playing in 39 games with one goal and seven points. IN all, the Snowflake, MB native has suited up in 228 AHL games, scoring seven goals and totaling 33 points.
After two games in the Lone Star State with games at Texas and in San Antonio the first weekend of March, the Wild returns home on Sunday, Mar. 15 for a 5:00 p.m. faceoff with the Utica Comets. During an intermission, the team is celebrating its first ever "Wedding on Ice", sponsored by Grip Tite Foundation Repair. Prior to the game, Iowa is hosting a charity game to raise money for Autism. The game features Wells Fargo versus Principal Financial at 2 p.m. with all proceeds going to the Autism Society of Iowa. Specialty pucks will be available for purchase on the concourse, with the proceeds benefitting the Autism Society of Iowa. Fans are encouraged to bring their skates for a postgame skate after the game, presented by Grip Tite Foundation Repair. Fans may also purchase the Subway Combo Pack, which starts at $12 per person, including a ticket, a hot dog, a soda - also presented by More 104 FM.
Iowa continues its six-game home stand with Charlotte at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Mar. 21. The day of the game, Iowa is hosting the first ever "Bags and Brews On Ice" tournament from 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. The event, sponsored by Summit Brewing, Lazer 103.3 and Tailgate Addicts - features a keg from Summit Brewing, music and a stream of the NCAA tournament games up on the video board. The team is holding a silent auction on the concourse, benefitting the American Heart Association (AHA). Fans may bid on the team's AHA warm-up jerseys through the first two periods of the game. The first 1,500 fans to Saturday's game receive an Iowa Wild duffel bag, â=80-sponsored by Iowa Ortho & Lazer 103.3. Every Saturday night fans may purchase the Brewdog Pack - presented by Legends American Grill. The package starts at $15 per fan, consisting of a ticket, a Wild puck, a hot dog and a beer at the game. Fans also receive a postgame beer at the downtown Legends American Grill location.
Iowa and Charlotte meet again at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Mar. 22. The team celebrates Agriculture Appreciation Day on with the first 5,000 fans receiving a cowbell, presented by â=80-sponsored by Verizon Wireless. Fans may also purchase the Subway Combo Pack, which starts at $12 per person, including a ticket, a hot dog, a soda - also presented by More 104 FM.
The Iowa Wild 2014-15 season is presented by Mercy Medical Center, it runs from October through April. Fans may purchase seats to see any of the team's 38 regular season home games at Wells Fargo Arena. Season tickets to see the Wild play at Wells Fargo Arena start at just $9 per game. For more information on tickets, including ticket plans and group seating, please contact the Wild ticket office by calling 515-564-8700 or go to www.iowawild.com .
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