Three-time U.S. Olympian and Hamline Women's Hockey Coach Natalie Darwitz will help kick off Girls Hockey Weekend by joining the Minnesota Wild at its Friday practice, marking the first time ever a female player has practiced with the team.

Darwitz, one of the most decorated players in Minnesota - and United States - hockey history, will also make the “Let’s Play Hockey” call at the Wild-Coyotes game on Saturday, Dec. 17 and participate in a post-game State of Hockey chalk talk.

The Wild, in conjunction with Schwan's™ Home Delivery, Minnesota Hockey and the Minnesota Whitecaps, will celebrate Girls Hockey Weekend December 17-18 at Xcel Energy Center. A special ticket pack is available for female youth hockey players attending the Wild-Coyotes game on December 17. The ticket pack includes a game ticket, post-game on-ice clinic and a hockey jersey.

Other activities throughout the weekend include a Chalk Talk featuring Darwitz, Laura Halldorson and Kristen Wright of USA Hockey following the Wild-Coyotes game, the opportunity to watch the USA-Canada game live on the arena video board, hockey clinics for 12U and adult female hockey players on December 18 and more.

For more information on Girls Hockey Weekend, visit Wild.com.