Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History

1948:  Former NHL and WHA right wing Tim Sheehy born in Fort Frances, Ontario (raised in neighboring International Falls, MN).  Sheehy played professional hockey 1972-1973 through 1979-1980 with New England Whalers, Edmonton Oilers, Detroit Red Wings and the Hartford Whalers.

1978:  Former NHL right wing Jed Ortmeyer born in Omaha, Nebraska.  Ortmeyer played in the NHL 2003-04 through 2011-2012 with the New York Rangers, Nashville, San Jose, and the Minnesota Wild.

1980:  The eventual Miracle on Ice 1980 Olympic team began it's pre-Olympic 61 game schedule on the road vs. the Holland National Team with a 8-1 win.  The pre-Olympic schedule ended 2-9-1980 before the Lake Placid Winter Olympic games began.  The 1980 team home arena was Met Center in Bloomington, MN - home of the Minnesota North Stars.

1985:  Goaltender Kari Takko signed as a free agent with the Minnesota North Stars.  Takko served primarily as back-up Goalie from 1985-1991 to Don Beaupre and Jon Casey.

1991:  Calgary signed Neil Sheehy as a free agent.

1992:  Minnesota North Stars traded Mark Janssens to the Hartford Whalers in exchange for James Black.

1998:  Chicago Blackhawks obtained defenseman Doug Zmolek from the L.A. Kings, in exchange for a third-round pick in 1999.

2004:  The World Cup of Hockey International Ice Hockey Tournament was held in 7 host cities - eight years after the inaugural 1996 World Cup of Hockey.  Team USA faced off vs. visiting Slovakia on this date at the host United States venue - Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, MN.  USA won the game 3-1 in front of an attendance of 17,104. 

2010:  Boston Bruins signed free agent Wyatt Smith.

2015:  Minnesota Wild named Frederic Chabot as franchises' Goaltending Development Coach.