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ST. PAUL — Both wrestling and volleyball fans agree that a building’s recent name change will be an adjustment.
The National Hockey League’s Minnesota Wild announced on Monday, June 30, the new name for their facility: “Grand Casino Arena.”
The rink had been known as the Xcel Energy Center since it opened on Sept. 29, 2000.
On Wednesday, Sept. 3, the name change will be official as the former Xcel Energy Center becomes the new Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul. The venue serves as the site for Minnesota State High School League’s state wrestling and volleyball tournaments. (Contributed photo from Minnesota Sports & Entertainment/Minnesota Wild)
“It will always be the ‘X’ to me,” said longtime Pipestone Area Schools wrestling coach Brian Bos. “I’ll probably call it that forever.”
The Mille Lacs Brand of Ojibwe, which owns casinos in Mille Lacs and Hinckley, and the Wild struck a 14-year naming rights deal.
The Wild didn’t disclose the price tag the Mille Lacs Brand of Ojibwe paid for those rights. Team officials have reported employees are totally committed to the new name.
Pipestone Area Schools’ head wrestling coach Brian Bos reacts after Hudson Burnett won his third-place match in the 139-pound group on Saturday, March 2, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. (Photo by Eric Viccaro)
“This is more than a name change,” Grand Casino CEO Rona Weizenegger told Axios Twin Cities in a story written by Kyle Stokes and Nick Halter.
The effective date of the deal is Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025, when new signage will be officially installed.
The 650,000-square foot building’s capacity is 17,954 for professional hockey and 20,554 for concerts with a center-stage assembly. Original construction cost $170 million with Mortenson/Thor serving as general contractor.
“It’s been the Xcel Energy Center my whole life,” said former PAS head volleyball coach Dave Dulas, who piloted the Arrows to the 2022 state tournament.
Pipestone Area Schools’ head volleyball coach Dave Dulas calls out a serve during the match. (Photo by Eric Viccaro)
“It’s a unique experience,” Dulas said. “You play on top of the ice, and you can feel the cold coming from off the floor.”
Dulas said walking in the building’s ground floor is another happening, seeing the locker rooms and all the machinations.
Pipestone placed sixth in Class AA, falling to Big South Conference rival Belle Plaine in five thrilling sets by scores of 24-26, 21-25, 25-23, 26-24, 15-11.
The Arrow roster featured starters Aubrea Kor, Arinn McGee, Melody Remund, Callie Lingen, Kyla Hubbling and Megan Lingen. Meredith Draper, Tegan Tuinstra, Madelyn Wiese and Brinn Manzey also were on the roster.
In 2023, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton reached the pinnacle, defeating powerhouse Mayer Lutheran 25-13, 32-30, 17-25, 25-22, for the Class A plaque.
“It was a moment we’ll never forget,” said Jamie Schreurs, Avery Schreurs’ mother. “It was our first state appearance, and a championship. It was pretty cool.”
The Knights finished with 29 wins, including these amazing individual statistics beating Mayer Lutheran.
Abigail Carr pounded down 21 kills in 67 attacks for a .239 hitting efficiency.
Russell-Tyler-Ruthton senior hitter Abby Carr celebrates her 1,000th career kill with her teammates during the Knights’ 3-2 victory over Heron Lake-Okabena/Fulda Thursday night in Tyler during the 2023 season. (Contributed photo)
Allyson Nelson, now a Minnesota West Community and Technical College player, Dilyn Werkman and Camry Swanson totaled 17 of the Knights’ 20 block assists.
Avery Schreurs, at libero, scooped up a team-best 23 digs.
Current Dakota State University volleyball player Gabi Borresen distributed 49 assists with 147 total touches.
Laken Baartman and Borresen both served up aces. The team also featured Brezlyn Buchert and Tatum Hess.
“It felt amazing to be in this big arena with all those fans and being able to bring home the title,” said RTR head coach Daynica Brown. “I kept telling the team to enjoy the moment. It was pure excitement with lots of gratitude to all of those who helped us achieve this moment.”
Gabi Borresen reacts after a successful point during a Class A state tournament match at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. (Contributed photo by Jake McNeill/Marshall Independent)
For Bos, the ‘X’ holds a boatload of memories — starting with his first state placer at the building, Jon Gorter (second place, 2010).
“It’s a special spot,” Bos said. “We had a (certain) spot where we would camp out, hang our bags, and run around the arena.”
Brady Bos, Brian’s son, was a two-time state placewinner during the Xcel era. Brady was fourth in 2013 and fifth a year later.
Coach Bos also wanted to highlight one of the Arrows’ biggest accomplishments, qualifying for the 2017 team tournament.
In 2024, four Arrows qualified for state — with Miklo Hernandez and Hudson Burnett as state champions, Brayden Burmeister finishing third and Jackson Melcher also wrestling for PAS.
Pipestone Area Schools’ recent graduate Brayden Burmeister (left), shown here wrestling during the Minnesota State High School League state tournament at St. Paul’s Xcel Energy Center in March, attempts a single-leg takedown. Burmeister eventually earned a takedown, which will be worth three points moving forward in scholastic wrestling. The National Federation of High Schools approved the change in April. (File photo by Eric Viccaro)
Before the ‘X’ was constructed, both the RiverCentre in St. Paul and Target Center in Minneapolis served as the host location for state wrestling.
“We’re going to have to figure out a nickname for it,” said current PAS head wrestling coach Paul Young, who twice competed at the facility during the state team tournament for his alma mater, Milaca High School.
The Wolves placed fourth in AA during the 2010 tournament, and fifth in AA in 2012.
“It was a dream of mine to get to the Xcel Center,” Young said, “and I am blessed I got my opportunity. It’s a memorable experience. You walk through the tunnels. You see the fans, and the anticipation. It’s tough to describe in words.”
This past year, Young guided five wrestlers to the Class A state tournament in Hernandez, Lane Fruechte, Mason Fruechte, Haden Mulvihill and Xavier Banjoko. Hernandez claimed his second state title, this time at 121 pounds. Mason Fruechte was sixth at 114.
Young said the state tournament serves as a “showcase” for PAS wrestling, a place where season goals ultimately accomplished.
The Minnesota State High School League.(Contributed graphic from the MSHSL)
More changes
BROOKLYN CENTER — The Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors in June convened and approved making the state tournament a four-day event.
Additional accommodations were added. Wednesday afternoons will serve as the time for early-round girls wrestling matches.
“The growth in girls wrestling is incredible to witness,” said board president Don Pechel, superintendent of Sauk Centre school district, in an email to The Star.
This will mark the second time MSHSL has used a four-day format, also implemented from 2007-2010. The specific schedule for the 2026 tournament has not been finalized.
There also will be three new weight classes for sub-varsity competition (88, 94 and 100 pounds).
As for those naming rights, saying “Grand Casino Arena” and not the “Xcel Energy Center” reminds me of a Chicago song from 1984. It’ll be a “hard habit to break.”
Editor’s Note: This column does not necessarily reflect the views of Pipestone Publishing Co., Inc., or the Pipestone County Star, and are solely that of the author.