The Wild's history begins with the departure of the Minnesota North Stars in 1993. The North Stars left the state in the midst of low attendence figures brought on mainly by controversy surrounding the owner, Norman Green. Claiming that "the finances just didn't work [in Minnesota] for whatever reason" [1] and facing sexual harassment allegations, he signed a letter of intent to move the team to Dallas on March 10, 1993. Despite offers to have the team play at the newly built Target Center as well as offers to buy the team which would have resulted in an estimated $13 million profit, the North Stars played the 1993-1994 NHL season in Dallas. Because of earlier statements of Green that claimed he would never move the team, going as far as to slam the previous owners for attempting to do the same, many Minnesotans hold Green in contempt. [2]
After the departure was announced, a prepared statement from then governer Arne Carlson read: "I am saddened that Minnesota [...] will not be represented in the National Hockey League. But rather than dwelling on the past, I intend to focus on what we can do to bring the NHL back to Minnesota." [1] Carlson, various city officials, and private business interests tried unsuccessfully to woo two financially struggling teams to relocate in the state in the years following the Stars' departure. Hartford Whalers' owner Richard Gordon was first to be approached by those looking to bring hockey back to Minnesota. After their sale to Peter Karmanos in 1994, the new Whalers ownership eventually signed an agreement which kept the team in Hartford for another four years quelling any immediate return of an NHL franchise.
Having no use for it, the Metropolitan Sports Council decided the Met Center should be demolished in 1994, which shifted the focus for hosting new NHL franchise to the Target Center. However, at that time, the arena was privately owned and the current owners were looking for some level of government to buy it out. Governor Carlson was distracted by saving the Minnesota Timberwolves from sale and relocation rather than attracting a new NHL team.
- Met Center being demolished, focus shifts to moving any new team to the Target Center. Arena debt kept most away from
- Whalers to show up at revamped Civic Center?
- Funds found for a new arena in the place of the Civic Center.
The Winnipeg Jets were also another relocation possibility, but despite being bought by Minnesota businessman Richard Burke moved to Phoenix, Arizona after >>>>>. After the pool of NHL teams looking to move dried up, Minnesotans were left with amatuer, college, and the International Hockey League Minnesota Moose who left after two seasons in 1996. Edmonton Oilers owner Peter Pocklington briefly visited the Twin Cities but never seemed to be interested in moving the team to Minnesota in the face of more lucrative offers elsewhere.
- Awarding of the Wild franchise.
- Early seasons.
- Playoff run.
- Post-playoffs, lockout.
- This season, anticipation of new roster changes.
2000-01 — The Minnesota Wild pick Marian Gaborik third overall in Round 1 of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft.
2001-02 — The Wild would get off to a strong start by getting at least 1 point in their first 7 games. However the Wild would come back to earth and would finish in last place again with a record of 26-35-12-9. However, along the way their were signs the Wild were improving as 2nd year speedster Gaborik had a solid season with 30 goals and Andrew Brunette led the team in scoring with 69 points.
2002-03 — The Wild, in their first ever and to date only playoff appearance, make it all the way to the Western Conference Finals before being swept 4-0 by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim. Previously, the Wild had beaten the heavily favoured and third seeded Colorado Avalanche in the first round in seven games, coming down from a 3-1 series deficit and winning both Game 6 and 7 in overtime. Andrew Brunette scored the series clincher. In the Western Conference Semi-Finals, the Wild beat the fourth-seeded Vancouver Canucks, again in seven games, and again after being down 3-1 in the series. In the process, the Wild became the first team in playoff history to capture a seven game series twice after facing elimination during Game 5.
2003-04 — Coming off a trip to the Western Conference Finals there was an air of optimism. However as the season started the Wild were short-handed with Pascal Dupuis and Marian Gaborik holding out. After struggling in the first month the Wild finally got their two young star left-wingers signed but both struggled to get back into game shape as the Wild struggled through much of November. In a deep hole the Wild could not climb back into the playoffs despite finishing the season strong with wins in 5 of their last 6 games as they finished last in the competitive Northwest Division with a record of 30-29-20-3. Along the way the Wild began to gear up for the future trading away several of their older players that were a part of the franchise from the beginning including Brad Bombardir, Sergei Zholtok and Jim Dowd.
2004-05 — Season cancelled due to lockout.
2005-06 — Finished dead last again in Northwest Division, eight points behind the next team; but along the way Gaborik sets new franchise record for goals (37) and Brian Rolston sets highest point total by a "Wildman" (79).
Random Star Tribune Crap
editKari Dziedzic
[1] Stars are history, but hockey is not; Deal is done: Off to Dallas, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), March 11, 1993, Metro Edition, News; Pg. 1A, 1299 words, Patrick Reusse; Staff Writer, Dallas, Texas
[2] Green's fall from grace, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), March 12, 1993, Metro Edition, Sports; Pg. 1A, 2033 words, Rachel Blount; Staff Writer
[3] Affair in air for NHL; Whalers owner wooed by city, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), May 13, 1993, Metro Edition, Sports; Pg. 1C, 947 words, Jay Weiner; Jeffrey Shelman; Staff Writers
- Gordon denied he was swooping into the Twin Cities to gain leverage for a better deal in Hartford. But he acknowledged he is committed to the Connecticut city for one more season. After his visit, Gordon, whose daughter Ashley is dating a Minneapolis man, flew away knowing he has one option if his team can't get a better deal in Hartford. That option includes Target Center being sold - amid close taxpayer scrutiny - a lease being worked out, and a fan base being reinvigorated. It's a complicated option, but it is an option. Said Gordon: "I can't explain why hockey is not here. All the ingredients are here."
[4] League commissioner Bettman makes no promises, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), October 24, 1993, Metro Edition, Sports; SPORTS PLUS; Pg. 13C, 1241 words, Jerry Zgoda; Staff Writer, New York, N.Y.
[5] Stars playing in Minnesota makes no sense, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), December 10, 1993, Metro Edition, Sports; Dan Barreiro; Pg. 1C, 879 words, Dan Barreiro; Staff Writer
- The first "Norm Green Sucks" chant clocked in at 1:22 of the first period. The second came 23 seconds later. The third, urged on by the drumming of Ringo Starr wannabe Crunch, came 23 seconds after that. They slandered Norm to Dallas reporters walking the concourses to pick up the pregame mood. They gave the Stars a standing ovation when they arrived and when they left. They cheered a mad rush to the net by Mike Modano and two goals by Dave Gagner. They brought and wore their North Stars paraphernalia - Modano jerseys, Stars caps and "Norm Sucks" pins. By the 13-minute mark of the third period, urged on by a facsimile of the Met Center fan-o-meter and two Stars goals, it was the spring of 1992 all over again. Only the arena had changed. Inside Target Center, the fans were standing and cheering and chanting. Members of the North Stars booster club even updated their pins to read, "Norm still sucks."
[6] The pro sports puzzle; Minnesota's pro sports history, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), November 6, 1995, Metro Edition, News; TODAY'S FOCUS; Pg. 6A, 296 words, Jay Weiner; Staff Writer
- 1995/ Target Center bought by city of Minneapolis; Twins hint they need new stadium; Vikings suggest they need refurbished Dome; Winnipeg Jets sold to Minnesotan.
[7] Promising NHL trail stalls out, then heads westward; The Twin Cities had aces in the hole for the Jets move. But, after so much posturing and presuming, they folded., Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), December 6, 1995, Metro Edition, Sports; Pg. 1C, 817 words, Jay Weiner; Staff Writer
- #3: Civic Center
Bettman, Burke and political leaders simply ignored the St. Paul facility for the past seven months. They put all their eggs in the Target Center basket. The NHL, if it truly wanted to be in Minnesota, would have considered the Civic Center earlier. Political leaders, if they truly think pro sports is a "statewide asset," should have considered sharing a sport with St. Paul. While the $ 20 million that Mayor Norm Coleman offered to fix the arena isn't nearly enough, who knows what six months of planning might have wrought? Who knows what six months of examination now can bring?
- #3: Civic Center
[8] A wild dream pays off handsomely; Persistence put team on ice; rest is history, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), May 16, 2003, Friday, Metro Edition, NEWS; Pg. 1A, 1748 words, Curt Brown; Jay Weiner; Staff Writers
- Then-Gov. Arne Carlson, always optimistic, saw signs of hope even as Leatherdale saw doom. Bettman gave the ownership group an 'A' and told them he considered the St. Paul market an 'A' as well, considering population size, affluence levels and the area's deep-seated hockey culture. Bettman then asked Sperling, who had been involved in earlier NHL transactions as a prominent sports attorney, what grade he would give the Civic Center. Then-St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman looked nervously at Sperling, who, kindly uttered: "B . . . plus." "Three days later, Bettman sent word that we needed straight 'A's' on this report card to get a team," Carlson said. "But what emerged out of that meeting for me were two words: 'A market.'" Carlson said the political and business leaders in the room did a double take when they heard those words from Bettman. St. Paul boosters had never considered themselves a stand-alone market before. The emotional capital that flowed from that meeting created the beginnings of a beautiful marriage. With Minneapolis playing host to the region's three other professional sports teams, this NHL possibility was St. Paul's chance to gain a big league asset of its own.
- Whalers owner has eyes on St. Paul; NHL club could escape Hartford before 1997-98 season, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), December 21, 1996, Metro Edition, Sports; Pg. 2C, 772 words, Jay Weiner; Staff Writer
- St. Paul backs its dream of NHL team with a plan; Proposal includes Civic Center improvements, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), January 4, 1997, Metro Edition, News; Pg. 1B, 1044 words, Anthony Lonetree; Kevin Duchschere; Staff Writers
- Revisiting the Met; Met Center was a dinosaur, said a task force recommending it be torn down. But that irreversible decision might have been based on some wrong assumptions., Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), December 12, 1995, Metro Edition, Sports; Pg. 1C, 1096 words, Jay Weiner; Staff Writer
- Governor qualifies support for state plan to aid NHL Jets, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), September 21, 1995, Metro Edition, Sports; Pg. 1C, 236 words, Jay Weiner; Staff Writer
- Burke's deal for Jets expected within a week, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), September 19, 1995, Metro Edition, Sports; Pg. 7C, 227 words, Jay Weiner; Staff Writer