ST PAUL, Minn. — Saying goodbye is part of life for an NHL team, as each year players leave for other teams and opportunities, or hang up their skates while calling it a career.
But today's "so long" is as tough or tougher than most, as it involves a team member whose loyalty might be his number one trait.
Celly is the Minnesota Wild's team dog, and has spent the past year in the club's front office while going to games and meeting fans at night. It is the first phase in a journey that has landed the Shepherd/Catahoula/Lab in his forever home with a Minnesota State Trooper.
The process began when Cocoa's Heart Dog Rescue placed Celly with the Wild in July of 2021. He spent last year getting socialized with the team, and now moves on to more intensive training with Soldier's 6, a nonprofit that provides honorably discharged veterans, police officers and firefighters with specially trained K9 friends.
During a media opportunity at the Xcel Energy Center on Tuesday, Celly was officially handed off to trooper Allen Thill, who is an Air Force Major and recipient of the Purple Heart. The pup will live with Thill and his family while undergoing more specialized training that will help Celly integrate into Allen's life.
"This is an incredible experience," Thill said with a broad smile splashed across his face. "And what it means to me.... I think it's going to help my recovery, help me in my day-to-day life, he'll be there on my bad days, and an awesome companion on my good days... he's gonna be my little buddy for life. "
Dog trainer Mike Boehmer will handle the next phase of Celly's development, and was on board for the first when the rescue first came to the Wild. He worked with team personnel to make sure interactions with Celly were consistent and dealt with the challenges of helping a young dog navigate the chaos of game night.
"Large crowds... you're dealing with pizza on the ground, popcorn on the ground, it's been fun," Boehmer laughed.
Celly is the Wild's third team rescue dog, following in the footprints of Breezer and Hobey. In an interview with wild.com, team Vice President of People Strategy and Experience Leah Pitzenberger said she fully anticipates that a new team dog is in the cards, as having a pup around the office and rink is now part of the Wild's culture.
"I cannot imagine coming into work and not having a puppy or a dog there," she shared. "I can't imagine a world where that is a reality."
By the way, Celly was named for the term players use when they celebrate following a goal.
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