Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History

1956:  Former NHL player Kent Nilsson born in Nynasham, Sweden.  Nilsson played in the NHL 1979-80 through 1986-87 with Atlanta, Calgary, the Minnesota North Stars and Edmonton, then returned to the Oilers briefly during the 1994-95 NHL season.

1956:  Former NHL right winger Ron Zanussi born in Toronto, Ont.  Zanussi played in the NHL 1977-78 through 1981-82 with the Minnesota North Stars and Toronto.

1980:  Former NHL defenseman Mike Stuart born in Rochester, MN.  Stuart played in the NHL 2003-04 through 2005-06 with St. Louis.

1982:  Former NHL defenseman Bryce Lampman born in Rochester, MN.  Lampman played in the NHL 2003-04 through 2006-07 with the New York Rangers.

1986:  NHL left wing Blake Wheeler born in Robbinsdale, MN.  Wheeler has played in the NHL since 2008-09 with Boston, Atlanta, and Winnipeg.

1992:  Minnesota North Stars traded Brian Bellows to Montreal in exchange for Russ Courtnall.

1999:  Craig Ludwig officially announced his NHL retirement after 17 seasons with Montreal, the NY Islanders, Minnesota North Stars and Dallas Stars.

1999:  Dino Ciccarelli officially announced his NHL retirement after 19 seasons with the Minnesota North Stars, Washington, Detroit, Tampa Bay and Florida.

2000:  Minnesota Wild signed free agent Lawrence Nycholat.

2000:  Todd McLellan named Minnesota Wild affiliate, Cleveland Lumberjacks as the new Head Coach.