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This is Michael Russo's 17th year covering the National Hockey League. He's covered the Minnesota Wild for the Star Tribune since 2005 following 10 years of covering the Florida Panthers for the Sun-Sentinel. Michael uses “Russo’s Rants” to feed a wide-ranging hockey-centric discussion with readers, and can be heard weekly on KFAN (100.3 FM) radio.
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It's official: LaPanta is named Wild TV play-by-play man
Posted by: Michael Russo under Wild news, Wild off-season news Updated: May 15, 2012 - 5:54 PM
Fox Sports North and the Wild made it official Tuesday morning: FSNorth veteran Anthony LaPanta is the new television play-by-play voice of the Wild. He replaces Dan Terhaar, whose contract wasn't renewed last month after seven seasons at the mike.
LaPanta, the Gophers' play-by-play voice since 2010 and the Wild, Wolves and Twins studio host since 2004, will join analyst Mike Greenlay as the Wild's television team.
The hire comes after three days worth of almost universally negative feedback from fans over LaPanta's expected hiring on blogs and message boards.
The Wild has the right to hire its own broadcasters in consultation with FSNorth. It was clear from the early going that FSNorth had a big influence over the decision. That's what happens when you pay big bucks for the local TV rights of a sports team, I guess.
The way it works with these deals in most cases is the teams pay the broadcasters, but FSN reimburses the team up to usually $250,000 to pay salaries. Any overages is paid by the team. So when fans complain to me about homerism, that's why I always write: "What do you expect? They're paid by the team."
I've gotten so many e-mails and tweets and I've read comments in the last couple days from Gophers fans and other WCHA fans that LaPanta is the ultimate homer. Again, I don't watch often because I'm working and I can't claim to know LaPanta well. But again, I say, what do you expect? FSNorth is a rightsholder, a partner. Don't want homerism, read a newspaper.
Turn on any local broadcast in any sports league, and for the most part, other than New York and Chicago and a few other markets, you're going to see the exact same thing, if not worse.
Ive gotten a lot of e-mails asking for other names that were interested in the job. I've got to keep most secret because the conversations I had with them were in confidence and some are under contract with other entities.
Former Columbus play-by-play man Dan Kelly, I'm told, was a candidate. Former Thrashers studio host and radio play-by-play man Dan Kamal was interested. The most intriguing name that may have been available is longtime Carolina play-by-play man John Forslund. I'm not sure he's looking to uproot his life because he's a staple in Raleigh and I've got to think will re-sign, but his contract is up June 30 and he's basically become the No. 3 or 4 man on NBC Sports Network. Like I said, not sure he was even interested and of course it would have taken a sweet, long-term deal to get him here IF it didn't work out in Raleigh.
One talented guy that was available is admittedly a good friend of mine - former Marlins announcer Roxy Bernstein. He's the Cal basketball announcer, fills in on Sharks games and hosts a radio show in San Francisco. So talented, great voice.
I believe about 20 or so folks, with varying degrees of experience, officially applied for the position..
Here's the press release. Youngblood will have a story for the paper tomorrow.
ANTHONY LAPANTA NAMED MINNESOTA WILD TELEVISION PLAY-BY-PLAY ANNOUNCER
FOX Sports North: the Exclusive Local Television Home for the 2012-13 Minnesota Wild Season
The National Hockey League’s (NHL) Minnesota Wild today named Anthony LaPanta television play-by-play announcer.
LaPanta, a graduate of Totino-Grace High School and St. John’s University (Collegeville, Minn.), has covered the Twin Cities sports scene since 1991. The New Brighton, Minn., native has hosted the pregame and postgame shows on FOX Sports North for the Twins, Wild and Timberwolves nightly since 2004 and served as the television play-by-play announcer for the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team the past two seasons. LaPanta has also served as a play-by-play announcer for the Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Timberwolves on a fill in basis.
“I have dreamed of doing NHL play-by-play since I was very young,” said LaPanta. “To have this opportunity in my hometown is truly special. I am a lifelong resident of the State of Hockey, and hockey is in my blood. From my work covering the Minnesota Wild for the last eight years, to calling games at the high school and college level, to spending as much of my free time as possible as a youth hockey dad, the game has been a huge part of my life. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for me.”
Before joining FOX Sports North, LaPanta was the television voice of the St. Paul Saints for ten seasons and was the radio play-by-play announcer for the Twins in 1999. He has won four regional Emmy Awards (two for play-by-play and two for anchor/host) and was involved with the development of the Hockey Day Minnesota concept. LaPanta and his wife, Margo, have four children, and reside in Shoreview, Minn., where he is active in the hockey community.
LaPanta will team with television analyst Mike Greenlay on FOX Sports North, the exclusive local television home for Wild hockey. Greenlay enters his 11th year as the Wild’s television analyst since being assigned to the post on Aug. 13, 2002. The former goaltender previously served as the radio analyst for the Anaheim Ducks (1999-2001) and the Nashville Predators (1998-99) and also worked as a television analyst on several networks.
“This is a great opportunity for Anthony, we’re enthusiastic about his new role in our Wild telecasts,” said Mike Dimond, Senior Vice President and General Manager for FOX Sports North. “Anthony has worked long and hard as the face of our network. We’ll miss him in that capacity, but thankful he’ll still be part of our network moving forward.”
Announcement on Wild's play-by-play voice delayed by backlash
Posted by: Michael Russo under Wild news, Wild off-season news Updated: May 14, 2012 - 8:14 PMNo announcement came Monday regarding the Wild's next play-by-play voice, but I am told an announcement is close and it will indeed be Fox Sports North veteran Anthony LaPanta.
An announcement was supposed to come Monday, but things got sidetracked when the Wild and FSN were taken aback by the backlash regarding the LaPanta hire on this blog, Twitter and other message boards. The team also needed to complete the process of contacting candidates who were not chosen. The Wild and FSN did hold a conference call to discuss the feedback and how to manage it. But they were always going to stick with the original decision of hiring the longtime Wild, Twins and Wolves studio host and Gophers' hockey play-by-play voice, though.
I'm guessing an announcement comes Tuesday.
At the risk of having you flame throwers turn on me (ha), I'll be honest and say I haven't listened to LaPanta call many games because I'm usually working Wild when he's working Gophers, but he's a polished broadcaster and at the very least didn't deserve to be raked over the coals. There's a human side of this, too. I'm all for passionate fans, but some of the comments on the previous blog were just mean-spirited.
Wild, LaPanta appear to be inching toward play-by-play marriage
Posted by: Michael Russo under Gophers sports, Gophers on TV, Wild off-season news Updated: May 12, 2012 - 8:59 PMIt's looking more and more like Anthony LaPanta, the man with the most famous hair in the Twin Cities and Fox Sports North's longtime studio host for pre- and post-games for the Wild, Twins and Wolves, will be the Wild's next television play-by-play man.
If officially hired, he'll replace Dan Terhaar, whose contract was not renewed last month after seven seasons at the microphone. That move could happen as early as Monday. The Wild last week ironed out new deals with TV color man Mike Greenlay and the radio team of Bob Kurtz and Tom Reid.
LaPanta became the Gophers' TV play-by-play voice in 2010.
There has been a lot of national interest in the position, but LaPanta has been the frontrunner since Day One.
Wild re-signs defenseman Clayton Stoner, close to signing Johan Gustafsson
Posted by: Michael Russo under Wild off-season news, Wild player moves Updated: May 10, 2012 - 10:12 AMUPDATE: The Wild has signed Stoner to a two-year, $2.1 million deal ($1.05 million cap hit)
As I mentioned after the season, the one unrestricted free agent I thought the Wild would definitely look to re-sign is defenseman Clayton Stoner.
I'm hearing through the grapevine that is very close to happening -- maybe as soon as today.
The 6-foot-3, 206-pounder suffered through another injury-plagued season, but coach Mike Yeo loves his physicality, the fact he stands up for any teammate and his reliability. He was a plus-3 in 51 games after being a plus-5 in 57 games last year. As GM Chuck Fletcher has even said before, being a plus player on the Wild the last two seasons is no small feat.
Stoner, 27, has 16 points in 116 games with 170 penalty minutes and 187 hits.
I remember asking Yeo with a few games left in the season if the Wild could afford to re-sign Stoner considering the myriad injuries he's sustained throughout his entire pro career. Yeo said, "Can we afford not to?"
"We would love to see him in the lineup, and durability is important when you're trying to make those decisions, but this is a character guy," Yeo said at the time. "This is a guy that plays for his teammates and is effective when he's on the ice. We'd like to get more games from him, but he's a valuable piece."
No details yet on the contract Stoner will receive.
The Wild is also close to signing goalie Johan Gustafsson, 20, to an entry-level contract. He backstopped Sweden to gold at the world junior championships and will play again next season in Lulea before I guess he comes over to North America in 2013-14. He is a sixth-round pick from 2010 and needed to be signed by June 1, or the Wild would have lost his rights.
My guess is next year, Matt Hackett and Darcy Kuemper start as a tandem in Houston. Kuemper is coming off shoulder surgery, and even though Hackett is close, you don't rush goalies. My guess is the Wild will either re-sign Josh Harding as Niklas Backstrom's No. 2 or sign a veteran backup.
Wild gets Devils' 2013 third-rounder; Prospects still playing; Wild Road Tour information
Posted by: Michael Russo under The draft, Wild off-season news Updated: May 9, 2012 - 4:24 PMThe New Jersey Devils advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals last night, and with that, the Wild acquired the Devils' 2013 third-round pick. That was the "conditionary" portion of that second draft pick it acquired in February's Marek Zidlicky deal. I'm sure the Devils don't mind.
Wild prospects continue to be trucking along. Mikael Granlund is playing alongside Mikko Koivu for Finland in the world championships, while Sweden even surprised the Wild by choosing Jonas Brodin and Johan Larsson to play because they're so young.
Depending on what happens tonight may determine if Larsson continues. If the Caps lose, there's a very good chance Nicklas Backstrom is picked up to play the remainder of the tournament, which could affect Larsson. I'd think Brodin stays no matter what. He's been playing great, I'm told.
Remember, Granlund can't be signed until after the world championships are complete, and that should happen within a day or two I'd think. The Wild continue to say this is not a concern. Remember, the Wild loses his rights if unsigned after June 1. However, he doesn't become a free agent. He'd have to re-enter the draft. In other words, he wouldn't get to choose his eventual destination.
There's all the reasons in the world for him to play here: 1. Opportunity. 2. He's a lock to make next year's roster. 3. Mikko. 4. Niklas Backsrom owns a piece of his current team, HIFK. 5. The Wild adores him. 6. The fans can't wait to see him. 7. The weather's Finland nice in the winter, etc. 8. the Finnish Bistro serves all his favorite delicacies. 9. Nice beat writer. 10. Falness.
Again, Granlund has said publicly many times to me that his plan is to sign here and his agent has said the same thing. So, ... I don't think you should be emailing and tweeting me as much as you do!!! 
And in the Quebec League Final, Saint John holds a 2-0 lead over Rimouski heading into tonight's Game 3.
Wild prospect Charlie Coyle leads all scorers in the league with 15 goals and 32 points. Wild prospect Zack Phillips is second with 29 points and leads everyone with 21 assists. Coyle is a plus-25 in 15 games, Phillips is a plus-22.
Lastly, the Wild released information for the 2012 Road Tour today. Here's the release:
The Minnesota Wild has announced the dates, times and locations of the 18-city, 2012 Wells Fargo Minnesota Wild Road Tour. Three separate legs of the tour begin Monday, June 25 and will stop at two locations each day. The tour will culminate with the seventh annual Wild Summer Bash on Thursday, June 28 at the Guidant John Rose MN OVAL in Roseville from 6-9 p.m.
Wild celebrities, including two Minnesota Wild players, will be present on each of the tour’s three legs.
The first leg of the tour (Charlie Coyle, Matt Kassian, Antti Laaksonen, Mike Greenlay) will make stops in Winona, Rochester, Austin, Owatonna, Mankato and New Ulm. Leg two (Nate Prosser, Jason Zucker, Bob Kurtz, Tom Reid) will start in Duluth, and continue in Eveleth, Grand Rapids, Brainerd, St. Cloud and Willmar. The final leg (Justin Falk, Chad Rau, Wes Walz, Kevin Falness) will begin in International Falls, and then make stops in Warroad, Thief River Falls, Bemidji, Fargo/Moorhead and Detroit Lakes. Matt Cullen will also make an appearance in Fargo/Moorhead.
Each tour stop will include a fundraising opportunity for local youth hockey associations, as well as autographs from Wild celebrities.
The Guidant John Rose MN OVAL in Roseville will serve as the site of the Summer Bash on Thursday, June 28. From 6-9 p.m., fans will have a chance to play hockey-themed games and can take part in autograph sessions and photo opportunities with Wild celebrities. Other activities include open skating, live music, zamboni rides, food and beverage, a live KFAN broadcast and more.
-- 2012 MINNESOTA WILD ROAD TOUR SCHEDULE ON FOLLOWING PAGE --
2012 WELLS FARGO MINNESOTA WILD ROAD TOUR SCHEDULE**
JUNE 25 JUNE 26 JUNE 27 JUNE 28
LEG ONE:
Celebrities
Charlie Coyle
Matt Kassian
Antti Laaksonen
Mike Greenlay
WINONA
12:15-1:15 p.m.
Bud King Ice Arena
670 East Front St.
ROCHESTER
4:15-5:15 p.m.
Wells Fargo
3360 55th St. NW
AUSTIN
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Wells Fargo
501 N. Main St.
OWATONNA
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Central Park
(between Main & Broadway)
MANKATO
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Wells Fargo
1901 Bassett Dr.
NEW ULM
4:00-5:00 p.m.
New Ulm Civic Center
1212 North Franklin St.
GUIDANT JOHN ROSE MN OVAL
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville
LEG TWO:
Celebrities
Nate Prosser
Jason Zucker
Tom Reid
Bob Kurtz
DULUTH
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Heritage Sports Center
120 S. 30th Ave. W
EVELETH
4:00-5:00 p.m.
U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame
801 Hat Trick Ave.
GRAND RAPIDS
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Eagles Club
1776 Hwy. 169
BRAINERD
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Brainerd Area Civic Center
502 Jackson St.
ST. CLOUD
12:00-1:00 p.m.
Municipal Athletic Complex
5001 Veterans Dr.
WILLMAR
4:30-5:30 p.m.
Community Christian School
1300 19th Ave. SW
GUIDANT JOHN ROSE MN OVAL
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville
LEG THREE:
Celebrities
Justin Falk
Chad Rau
Wes Walz
Kevin Falness
INTERNATIONAL FALLS
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Smokey Bear Park
603 3rd St.
WARROAD
3:30-4:30 p.m.
The Gardens Arena
707 Elk St. NW
THIEF RIVER FALLS
10:30-11:30 a.m.
Huck Olson Memorial Civic Center
501 Brooks Ave. N
BEMIDJI
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Market Place Food & Drug Parking Lot
2000 Paul Bunyan Dr. NW
FARGO/MOORHEAD
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Moorhead Youth Arena
707 SE Main Ave.
Matt Cullen appearance
DETROIT LAKES
4:00-5:00 p.m.
Kent Freeman Arena
1300 Rossman Ave.
GUIDANT JOHN ROSE MN OVAL
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
2661 Civic Center Drive, Roseville
** All dates, times, locations and guests are subject to change.
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recent posts
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- Russo: Announcement on Wild's play-by-play voice delayed by backlash
- Wild, LaPanta appear to be inching toward play-by-play marriage
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