Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History

1959:  Former NHL defenseman Craig Hartsburg born in Stratford, Ontario.  Hartsburg played in the NHL 1979-80 through 1988-89 with the Minnesota North Stars.  He later coached with Philadelphia, Chicago, Anaheim, Ottawa and Calgary.

1965:  Former NHL center Brian Lawton born in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  Lawton played in the NHL 1983-84 through 1992-93 with the Minnesota North Stars, the New York Rangers, Hartford, Quebec, Boston and San Jose.  He later became general manager of Tampa Bay.

1967:  Former NHL center Stephane Roy born in Ste. Foy, Quebec.  Stephane, the younger brother of goalie Patrick Roy, played in the NHL 1987-88 with the Minnesota North Stars.

1974:  St. Paul Vulcans defenseman, Craig Hanmer, signs a multi-year contract with the Indianapolis Racers or the World Hockey Association (WHA).  At 18 years of age, he becomes the youngest player in the league.

1979:  Former NHL center John Pohl born in Rochester, MN.  Pohl played in the NHL 2003-04 through 2007-08 with St. Louis and Toronto.

1987:  Minnesota North Stars signed Basil McRae as a free agent.

1987:  NHL player Petr Kalus born in Ostrava, Czech.  Kalus has played in the NHL since 2006-07 with Boston and the Minnesota Wild.

1987:  NHL defenseman Joe Finley born in Edina, Minn.  Finley has played in the NHL since 2011-12 with Buffalo and New York Islanders.

1989:  NHL center Drew LeBlanc born in Duluth, MN.  LeBlanc has played in the NHL since 2012-13 with Chicago.

1994:  Anaheim traded Troy Loney to the New York Islanders, in exchange for Tom Kurvers.

1994:  Anaheim traded Sean Hill and Mighty Ducks’ 9th round pick (Frederic Cassivi) in 1994 Entry Draft to Ottawa for Senators’ 3rd round pick in 1994 Entry Draft (later traded).

2001:  Edmonton Oilers traded center Sergei Zholtok to the Minnesota Wild for a future draft pick (J.F. Dufort).

2012:  The Minnesota Wild re-signed LW Matt Kassian to a two-year contract, and agreed to terms with D Chay Genoway on a two-year contract.

2013:  NHL Announced the 2012-13 All-Rookie Team: Goal: Jake Allen (St. Louis), Defense: Jonas Brodin (Minnesota) & Justin Schultz (Edmonton), Forwards: Brendan Gallagher (Montreal), Jonathan Huberdeau (Florida) and Brandon Saad (Chicago).

2015:  The Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Canada announced the 2015 inductee class including: Fedorov, Lidstrom, Pronger, Ruggiero, Hay, Karmanos and South St. Paul, MN native - Phil Housley.

2016:  Minnesota Wild resigned left winger - Jason Zucker to a two-year, $4 million contract.

2019:  Warroad High School Warriors storied hockey program, along with HockeyTown U.S.A. held a jersey retirement ceremony at 8:00 P.M. at Warroad Gardens Ice Arena.  Billy and Dave Christians' iconic #3 and #10 jerseys respectively were retired and hung from the rafters.