The Minnesota Wild, an NHL franchise based in St. Paul, Minnesota, was established in 2000 as the league's 30th team, marking the return of professional hockey to the state after the Minnesota North Stars relocated to Dallas in 1993. The Wild quickly developed a passionate fan base in the "State of Hockey," known for its deep-rooted hockey culture. The team's inaugural season was 2000-01, and by 2003, they achieved their first significant success, making a remarkable run to the Western Conference Finals.