Hockey Hall of Fame writer Michael Farber has tabbed Saint Paul, Minn., as ?Hockeytown U.S.A.? in the December 5 issue of Sports Illustrated. The full article can also be found here: () ?The Minnesota Wild make it easy for Saint Paul to be the number one hockey town,? Mayor Chris Coleman said. ?Kids in Saint Paul grow up eating and sleeping hockey, so this recognition is really for every parent who has sat in an arena supporting their kids and the tradition of hockey in Saint Paul.? The Wild has sold out 292 consecutive home games at Xcel Energy Center since its inception, and the city hosted the 2004 NHL All-Star Game. Farber points to the area?s high schools (both girls' and boys') and college hockey (both men?s and women?s) as a major reason that St. Paul edged Detroit, Philadelphia and Buffalo for the illustrious title. ?This is recognition of the passion and identity so many people in Minnesota find in the game of hockey,? Wild President and General Manager Doug Risebrough said. ?The level of participation and the level of support for youth, high school, college and NHL hockey in this state is exceptional. We are grateful to be a part of this culture.? ?Being named Hockeytown USA just confirms what all of our young players and their families believe, that we truly are the 'State of Hockey',? added Mark Jorgensen, Executive Director of Minnesota Hockey. ?We're proud to be a small part of that with so many other great hockey organizations!?