Wild reality show coming to Fox Sports North

Back in May, you may remember, I wrote a blog and tweeted a bunch from Game 6 of the Aeros-Admirals series in Milwaukee.

I was there to work on a Mike Yeo profile because, at that point, I wanted to introduce Wild fans to a guy who I felt had an outside shot at the Wild job. Here's the feature

Before I had a chance to even drink my 4th cup of coffee (so real quick), the Aeros were down 3-zip.

Yeo called time, and went absolutely ... loco. It was a sight to be seen.

Bang-bang-bang, 3-3.

Now, the Aeros did lose in overtime, meaning Game 7 was 2 days later.

I went downstairs after the game. I've written this a few times, but I couldn't believe the absolute contrast in demeanor from Yeo. He was cool, calm and collected.

I'm a big believer in the fact that players often take on the personality of their coach. That's why after Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals I wrote that I'd be petrified if I was a Canucks fan after seeing Alain Vigneault's demeanor after Game 6. The guy was beyond uptight.

Yeo after Game 6 was so at ease and confident that the Aeros would correct their mistakes at the next day's practice and win Game 7. That was a young team, a team that swept the first round, that hadn't faced any big adversity yet.

Guys could have been quaking in their skates, but Yeo didn't allow that. He treated Game 7 like a normal game.

The Aeros won, won the next round and went to the Finals.

Why do I bring all this up?

All of the above -- minus Vigneault, of course -- is documented on the new Wild reality show, "Becoming Wild," which premieres Friday night after the Twins game on Fox Sports North.

I just talked to Wild COO Matt Majka on the phone, and he said cameras caught Yeo's actions (and words) on the bench during that timeout and they're in the episode -- the first of six episodes that will run throughout the summer on FSNorth.

"It's an honest, authentic, sincere, behind-the-scenes portrayal of where we are as a franchise," Majka said. "This is not some glossy brochure."

Diehard fans, casual fans and, trust me, beat writers will love this series, an idea that Majka openly admits he snagged from HBO's 24/7 and Oil Change -- the Edmonton Oilers' cool reality show that can be seen on NHL Network at times.

Cameras were given access I could only dream of, getting to sit in the warroom as Brent Flahr and his scouts prepared for the draft, getting to be there when Chuck Fletcher informed Yeo he was the next Wild coach, getting to be there before and after Yeo's presser, etc.

The first air dates of the additional five episodes are: episode two on July 22, episode three on Aug. 5, episode four on Aug. 19, episode five on Sept. 9 and episode six on Sept. 30. Each episode will also be replayed on Friday and Tuesday nights between episodes.

That's it for now. Just talked to Chuck Fletcher on the phone for a long time, and I'll be writing a Wild Insider for Thursday's paper. So check that out.

Development camp roster should be out later. It's July 11-17 with an open scrimmage for the public on the 17th. All the top prospects should be at camp, including Mikael Granlund, Johan Larsson, Charlie Coyle, etc. The only guys that I don't think can participate are Casey Wellman, Nate Prosser and Jarod Palmer because their entry-level contracts are up. Per CBA, development camp can only be for unsigned prospects and prospects on their first contracts. Tyler Cuma will be at camp, but he won't be skating yet. But he's progressing from reconstructive knee surgery.

By the way, agent Bill Zito confirmed to me that Antti Miettinen has signed with KHL Kazan.

Some more restricted free agents should be signing soon. Talk to you later.