Wild CEO Matt Majka is being honored by the Minnesota Hockey Coaches Association, a fitting nod for a man whose work has helped tie the Wild more tightly to high school hockey across the state.
Majka was named to the MHCA Hall of Fame, adding another milestone to a career that has run alongside the Wild almost from the start. A Detroit native who moved to Minnesota at age 8, he became Wild CEO in August 2023 after climbing through a long series of promotions with the organization. As Majka put it: “The state of hockey always existed, the Wild just gave it a name,” Majka says.
The Wild and Majka have been major partners of the MHCA since the club launched in 1997, and the impact shows up in a very visible way: every high school program in the state has a jersey hanging in Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul.
His involvement has touched a long list of projects and initiatives, including Wild in-game production of the state tournament, financial support of the MHCA since the Wild’s inception, Hockey Night in Minnesota broadcasts showcasing high school hockey, Hockey Day, continued support of the MHCA’s Hall of Fame and fall clinic, and backing for the annual Minnesota Mr. Hockey Award.
Majka also helped support a partnership between the Wild and Minnesota Hockey that keeps the state tournament banquets going, and he has backed the Skate It Forward initiative aimed at preserving and celebrating community hockey. He previously received the MHCA’s Oscar Almquist Award in 2016.
The MHCA’s Hall of Fame class is rounded out by Mike Randolph (Duluth East/St. Thomas Academy/Northern Lakes), Greg Rajanen (Austin/Fridley/Anoka), Frank Senta (Rosemount/Lakeville/Burnsville), Lee Smith (Eden Prairie) and Mike Taylor (Eagan).
MHCA Executive Director Dustin Vogelgesang said: “Their careers are filled with remarkable accomplishments, but their true legacy is the relationships they built and the lasting impact they’ve had on players, coaches, programs and communities throughout Minnesota. This is an incredibly deserving Hall of Fame class, and we’re proud to recognize what each of them has given to our game.”
Jon Bittner, the longtime Crookston coach and former MHCA Executive Director, is this year’s Cliff Thompson Award winner, the association’s highest honor. Thomas Johnson won the Dave Peterson Award, Fran McDevitt earned the Bruce Johnson Award and the late David La Vaque received the Oscar Almquist Award.
Honorees will be recognized Friday, Sept. 25, at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul between periods of the Minnesota Wild’s game against the Dallas Stars. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.
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