Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
The optics couldn’t be worse.
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The Minnesota Wild and the NHL are under fire from fans after deciding to play their Saturday game against the Florida Panthers following a deadly shooting in Minneapolis that same day. The NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves postponed their game against the Golden State Warriors to focus on community safety. Fans are angry that the Wild didn’t do the same when another major league stepped back.
The shooting killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse and US citizen. Federal agents shot him during a struggle while they were trying to arrest someone they described as an illegal immigrant wanted for violent assault. This was the second similar death in two weeks, after 37-year-old Renee Good was shot and killed in her car by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer.
The Wild’s decision to play in Saint Paul while the Timberwolves postponed their Minneapolis game upset many people. Fans took to social media to express their frustration. According to The Daily Mail, one fan wrote on X, “minnesota wild absolutely spineless right now when the other major leagues are cancelling their events.” Another said, “The Minnesota Wild just playing their game like nothing is happening would be the most NHL shit ever. Consistently full of the most spineless human beings.”
The anger was intense and widespread. One fan commented, “minnesota wild players would probably be ice agents if hockey didn’t work out.” Another frustrated fan wrote, “I shouldn’t be surprised that the Minnesota Wild, one of the most tone deaf organizations in the already-tone deaf NHL, are just straight up ignoring what’s going on directly in their backyard, but here I am. What a cowardly franchise.”
The Florida Panthers had visited President Trump at the White House earlier this month to celebrate their championship, which likely made fans even angrier since federal agencies were involved in the shooting. The shooting details are heavily disputed. The Department of Homeland Security claims Pretti approached agents while armed with a gun and two magazines.
minnesota wild absolutely spineless right now when the other major leagues are cancelling their events
— greta (@grretajay) January 24, 2026
Officials say Pretti “violently resisted” when officers tried to take his weapon, which led a Border Patrol agent to shoot him. The agency released a photo of a nine-millimeter semi-automatic handgun they say was found at the scene.
Pretti’s family strongly rejected the official story. They called the people who killed him “murdering and cowardly thugs.” The family said, “The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting.” They claim video shows Pretti was trying to protect a woman after ICE agents pushed her down. In other sports news, some athletes continue competing through serious injuries, like George Kittle’s recovery from his Achilles injury.
I shouldn’t be surprised that the Minnesota Wild, one of the most tone deaf organizations in the already-tone deaf NHL, are just straight up ignoring what’s going on directly in their backyard, but here I am. What a cowardly franchise.
— Ryan Quigley (@ryanquigz) January 25, 2026
According to the family, Pretti had his phone in his right hand and his left hand raised above his head while being pepper sprayed. The family stressed, “Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed Pretti had no serious criminal history, only minor parking violations. O’Hara said Pretti was a legal gun owner with a valid permit.
The Wild chose to play hockey instead of recognizing a community tragedy. This decision looks bad for the organization, especially when the event was so serious and happened so close to home. Meanwhile, sports fans worldwide are dealing with other controversies, including FIFA’s World Cup ticket resale problems.