Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History

1935:  Former NHL forward Bob Barlow born in Hamilton, Ontario.  Barlow played in the NHL 1970-71 with the Minnesota North Stars.

1978:  Former NHL defenseman Travis Roche born in Grand Cache, Alta.  Roche played in the NHL 2000-01 through 2006-07 with the Minnesota Wild and Phoenix.

1981:  NHL center Matt Hendricks born in Blaine, MN.  Hendricks has played in the NHL since 2008-09 with Colorado, Washington, Nashville, and Edmonton.

1989:  Los Angeles Kings signed free agent Keith Crowder from the Boston Bruins, and also signed goalie Robb Stauber from the University of Minnesota.

1989:  Washington Capitals obtained Bob Mason from the Quebec Nordiques, in exchange for future considerations.

1989:  The 27th annual NHL Entry Draft was held on this date at the Metropolitan Sports Center in Bloomington, MN.  Mats Sundin was selected 1st overall by the Quebec Nordiques, and Rochester Minnesota native Doug Zmolek was selected 7th overall by the home-town Minnesota North Stars.

1990:  NHL announced the 1989-90 All-Rookie team: Bob Essensa, Brad Shaw, Geoff Smith, Mike Modano, Sergei Makarov, and Rod Brind'Amour.

1997:  The NHL Expansion Committee recommended the addition of four new teams (Atlanta, Columbus, Nashville, and St. Paul) by the year 2000.

1998:  Xcel Energy Center design was announced - future home of the Minnesota Wild NHL expansion franchise.

2011:  Minnesota Wild named Mike Yeo as their new Head Coach, the third in franchise history.  Yeo previously had been an Assistant Coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins during their 2009 Stanley Cup Final winning season, and was the active Head Coach with the Wilds' AHL affiliate - Houston Aeros.  When Yeo said yes to the Head Coaching job with the Minnesota Wild he wasn't quite 38 years old, making him the youngest Head Coach in NHL history.

2013:  Minnesota Wild Defenseman - Marco Scandella re-signed to a two-year contract.

2015:  Washington Capitals resigned St. Cloud, MN native defenseman - Nate Schmidt to a two-year, one-way contract worth $1.62 Million ($750,000 or the 2015-2016 season, and $875,000 in 2016-2017).