The concept of the "Player of the Game" has evolved into a cherished tradition across sports, with teams celebrating standout performances by awarding unique props or hats. It’s a nod to the player who made a significant impact, and it’s become a staple in team culture.
Minnesota Wild defenseman Zach Bogosian put it best: “It’s something cool to hand out after the game. My son’s hockey team does it, too. It’s part of the hockey culture, recognizing someone who did the right things and was a great teammate.”
As the 2025-26 season approached, the Wild were on the hunt for their signature item. Inspiration struck during a preseason speech from President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin, who drew a powerful analogy with the mighty Redwood tree.
Wild captain Jared Spurgeon recalled, “After that, we knew the theme we were going with.”
The Redwoods are impressive, towering up to 100 feet, yet their roots are surprisingly shallow. What makes them resilient is their ability to intertwine with the roots of neighboring trees, symbolizing strength through unity.
Guerin encouraged the team to embrace this metaphor, emphasizing teamwork and mutual support. “You can reach great heights by relying on each other,” added forward Marcus Foligno.
“The Redwood trees are among the biggest, yet their roots are only five or six feet long. They intertwine and become stronger together.”
Foligno drove home the point: “The moral is to use your teammates, be a team player, and rely on one another to become the tallest tree in the forest, aiming for the Stanley Cup.”
Of course, lugging an actual Redwood tree around NHL dressing rooms isn’t feasible. Instead, the Wild chose a Redwood tree-style hat as their player-of-the-game award. After careful deliberation, Bogosian secured the perfect hat for the team, ensuring each victory is celebrated with a nod to their Redwood-inspired unity.