Vintage Minnesota Hockey - History

1973:  Bob Somers, Harry Sundberg & Ron Woodey move their Junior Stars hockey team across the river to St. Paul and rename it the 'St. Paul Vulcans' after Minnesota North Stars Chief Walter Bush and his Executive Assistant, Murray Williamson, buy the name 'Junior Stars' for a team in the Midwest Junior Hockey League to be based at the Met Center.

1977:  Mankato State University began a ten-year debate to change its logo and nickname from the "Indians", to the "Mavericks".  A new president and the efforts of University activists ended the debate in 1977 when the Indians officially became the Mavericks on this date in 1977. 

1982:  Dan Mandich signed as a free-agent for the Minnesota North Stars.

1987:  The Minnesota North Stars signed Terry Ruskowski.

1994:  The IHL (International Hockey League) announced that the newly formed Minnesota Moose would compete in the Central Division of the Western Conference along with: Atlanta Knights, Houston Aeros, Kansas City Blades and Milwaukee Admirals. 

2000:  St. Louis Blues signed free agents Sean Hill and Dallas Drake.

2006:  Minnesota Wild signed free agents Mark Parrish, Keith Carney and Kim Johnsson.

2006:  NY Rangers signed undrafted free agents Matt Cullen and goaltender Stephen Valiquette.

2007:  Boston Bruins acquired goaltender Manny Fernandez from the Minnesota Wild, in trade for Petr Kalus and a fourth round pick in the 2009 NHL Draft.

2007:  Toronto Maple Leafs signed free agent winger Jason Blake.

2008:  Minnesota Wild obtained Marek Zidlicky from the Nashville Predators in exchange for Ryan Jones and a 2nd - round pick in 2009.

2008:  Boston signed free agents Michael Ryder and UofM collegiate player Blake Wheeler.

2008:  Minnesota Wild signed free agents Andrew Brunette and Craig Weller.

2008:  Phoenix Coyotes signed free agents Todd Fedoruk and Kurt Sauer.

2009:  Atlanta Thrashers obtained Pavel Kubina and Tim Stapleton from the Toronto Maple Leafs, in exchange for Garnet Exelby and Colin Stuart.

2009:  Minnesota Wild signed free agent Martin Havlat, who led the Chicago Blackhawks with 77 points in 2008-09, and Greg Zanon (who had been with Nashville).

2010:  Buffalo Sabres signed free agent Jordan Leopold.

2010:  Pittsburgh Penguins signed free agents Paul Martin and Zbynek Michalek.

2010:  Minnesota Wild signed free agents Matt Cullen and Eric Nystrom.

2011:  Tampa Bay Lightning signed free agent (and Edina, MN native) J.T. Wyman.

2012:  Ottawa Senators signed free agent (and Apple Valley, MN native) Mike Lundin.

2012:  The Minnesota Wild signed free agents C Zenon Konopka and C Torrey Mitchell.

2012:  New York Rangers agreed to terms with Chanhassen, MN native defenseman Stu Bickel on a new contract.

2014:  The Minnesota Wild signed former University of Minnesota defenseman, and Chanhassen, MN native Stu Bickel to a 1-year, two way contract.

2014:  Minnesota Wild signed free agent Brett Sutter.

2014:  The Minnesota Wild agreed to terms with former University of Minnesota standout left-winger Thomas Vanek on a 3-year contract worth $5.5 million in the first year, $6.5 million in the second year, and $7.5 million in the third year, for a total of $19.5 million.  His contract also included a no-trade clause.

2014:  Montreal Canadiens signed free agent (and Bloomington, MN native) Tom Gilbert.

2014:  Washington Capitals signed free agent (and Virginia, MN native) Matt Niskanen.

2015:  San Jose Sharks signed Elk River, MN native defenseman - Paul Martin to a four-year $19.4 Million contract.

2015:  Minnesota Wild signed left winger - Ruslan Fedotenko to a two-way, one-year contract.

2015:  Minnesota Wild re-signed White Bear Lake, MN native centerman - Ryan Carter to a one-year deal worth $625,000.

2015:  Minnesota Wild re-signed Elk River, MN native defenseman - Nate Prosser to a two-year contract worth ($600,000 year 1, and $650,000 year 2).

2015:  Minnesota Wild re-signed Mikeal Granlund to a two-year deal worth $6 Million ($2.8 Million year 1, $3.2 Million year 2).

2015:  Mike Reilly signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild.

2015:  Minnesota Wild signed centerman Zac Dalpe to a two-way contract, and goaltender Stephen Michalek to a two-way, entry level deal.

2016:  Minnesota Wild signed free agent goaltender Alex Stalock to a one-year, two-way contract.

2016:  Minnesota Wild signed free agent centerman Eric Staal to a three-year, $10.5 million contract.

2016:  Minnesota Wild signed forward Chris Stewart to a two-year, $2.3 million contract.

2016:  Minnesota Wild signed free agent forward Pat Cannone, and defenseman Victor Bartley both to a one-year, two-way conracts.