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The 2019-20 season may go down in the history books in a number of ways. It might be the season that was canceled, shortened, or postponed due to COVID-19. It may be the first and only season to feature a 20 or 24-team playoff. It might be the only season to have three year designations (the 2019-20-21 season, anyone?).
But for Minnesota Wild fans, one way it will be remembered as the year of the dog — specifically, a golden retriever named Breezer. For SB Nation’s “Dogs and Underdogs” week, while we wait for more information on if/when/how the NHL will conclude their season, let’s take a look back at the year in tweets from the Wild’s cutest, cuddliest member of their roster.
Breezer’s “hello world” moment came back in August of last year, with a greeting à la @dogfeelings, introducing the fanbase to a Labrador Retriever from Coco’s Heart Dog Rescue. Wild president Matt Majka and his wife, Kym, took on the duties of fostering and training Breezer during his time with the Wild prior to the pup beginning his future career with Soldier’s 6, a 501(c)3 non-profit based in Minnesota that provides honorably discharged veterans, police officers, and firefighters with specially trained K-9s.
Gooooob afternoon! The @mnwild humans signed me to a contract. pic.twitter.com/T0mU6Y8I0X
— Breezer (@mnwildpup) August 19, 2019
Breezer’s first team function was to fetch breaking news for his fans, and he was one of the first to announce a new addition to the Minnesota Wild front paw-ffice:
i have an announcement: a new human joined our team pic.twitter.com/JNOEifDPTT
— Breezer (@mnwildpup) August 21, 2019
Breezer was a hit with fans and players alike. One can hardly blame Matt Dumba for being distracted by such a good boy, even if he didn’t score a goal for 15 games after this tweet was posted:
The humans had me do a photo shoot today with @matt_dumba.
— Breezer (@mnwildpup) October 7, 2019
Turned out okay, we think. #mnwild pic.twitter.com/tMZrNkCdKt
He made a trip south of the border (collie) to visit the kids on the farm:
.@mnwildpup in the house! Go say hi to our new best bud. pic.twitter.com/UkWXb0mzxw
— Iowa Wild (@IAWild) November 10, 2019
Breezer also made many appearances at Wild games. At one in particular, he got to meet his future drill sergeant, Dez. Ten-pup!
Boop.
— Breezer (@mnwildpup) November 15, 2019
I made a new friend last night! This is Dez from @Soldiers6MN. We are now the bestest friends. pic.twitter.com/ffpcQD0xgX
In addition to this, Breezer made friends with lots of Wild players and paw-sonalities, including Kevin Fiala, Ryan Carter, and Jason Zucker:
*no, i won’t look at the camera*
— Breezer (@mnwildpup) January 5, 2020
*yes, i needs more pets from my human friend @KevinFiala22 pls* pic.twitter.com/W2W4mXNTwY
If @mnwildpup wants that stick, you gotta give it to him. (IG/mnwildpup) pic.twitter.com/01Lp1mbhHQ
— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 15, 2020
haaaaaappy birthdays to my human friend, @Jason_Zucker16!! pic.twitter.com/KVkFUu3S6O
— Breezer (@mnwildpup) January 16, 2020
And after pining for some more ice time on the furred line...
my daaaaaawgs
— Breezer (@mnwildpup) January 21, 2020
hi @zuccarello36 & @matt_dumba pic.twitter.com/byelpFOkCA
Breezer got some time to shine in practice:
My human friends were on the ice...
— Breezer (@mnwildpup) February 13, 2020
so i go on the ice! pic.twitter.com/ZK3AEFeS3o
(Though Anthony LaPanta was on hand to get the real scoop on how that went...)
Uh oh...Breezer apparently doesn’t think much of Our Ice pic.twitter.com/ewxqDUctaZ
— Anthony LaPanta (@AnthonyLaPanta) January 20, 2020
As for the scouting report on Breezer:
He’s got great reaction and a nose for the puck.
thx for the puck @RHartzy18 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/TaPGXogzU5
— Breezer (@mnwildpup) February 3, 2020
He’s got great end-to-end speed.
ZOOOOMIES ON ICE ❄️
— Breezer (@mnwildpup) January 21, 2020
needed pets from @DonatoRyan ASAP https://t.co/TzKceglXIA pic.twitter.com/IU5gHItqXx
His defensive skills need a bit of work.
Gibbbb it to meeeeee, @Ryan_Carter22! pic.twitter.com/Pw95Dvqx4y
— Breezer (@mnwildpup) January 15, 2020
But he’s definitely ready for postgame handshakes!
i has my pup shakes down now pic.twitter.com/WFMPpKTGtz
— Breezer (@mnwildpup) February 25, 2020
And, like all of us, he’s missing hockey a lot.
miss u guysss already, @mnwild pic.twitter.com/CBqqe55Xpv
— Breezer (@mnwildpup) March 4, 2020
In the meantime, show Breezer some love and vote for him in the NHL Fan Awards as Goodest Team Dog!
paw-lease go vote for me! https://t.co/Ksic9lcsqh and vote Breezer ✅ pic.twitter.com/EvZeKJu9Qk
— Breezer (@mnwildpup) May 11, 2020