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February 12th

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February 12th
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1939:  The Roof of the Duluth Amphitheatre collapsed under the weight of snow during a police-fire benefit.  No one was injured in the collapse.

1958:  Former NHL center Bobby Smith born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia. Smith played in the NHL 1978-79 through 1992-93 with the Minnesota North Stars and Montreal. He later served as general manager of the Phoenix Coyotes.

1972:  Former NHL right wing Owen Nolan born in Belfast, Northern Ireland.  Nolan played in the NHL 1990-91 through 2009-10 with Quebec, Colorado, San Jose, Toronto, Phoenix, Calgary, and the Minnesota Wild.

1975:  In a Minnesota Fighting Saints pre-game ceremony at the St. Paul Civic Center, Gordie Howe of the WHA's Houston Aeros was issued a plaque by State Representative - John Lindstrom proclaiming "Gordie Howe Day in St. Paul, MN" by then Governor Wendell Anderson whom wasn't present for the ceremony.  Lindstrom presented the plaque in the Governor's absence.

1977:  Two hours after signing his first pro contract, Red Wings' rookie Reed Larson played his first NHL game, against the North Stars. Detroit tied 2-2 at Minnesota.

1978:  Per-Olov Brasar and Roland Eriksson each scored a goal and added two assists to lead the Minnesota North Stars to a 3-3 tie against the Colorado Rockies at the Met Center.

1981:  Jets' rookie Dave Christian scored his second career hat trick, as Winnipeg lost 8-6 to the Rangers, at New York.

1983:  Dino Ciccarelli scored a goal and added two assists to lead the North Stars to a 5-4 win against the Black Hawks in Minnesota. Al Secord had his second career hat trick for Chicago.

1985:  19-year-old rookie Mario Lemieux skated away with All Star Game MVP honors after getting two goals and an assist in the Wales Conference 6-4 win over the Campbell's, in Calgary. Lemieux became the first rookie MVP. Ray Bourque picked up 4 assists.  Minnesota North Stars LW Steve Payne was the lone representative for the Stars.

1989:  NHL left wing Colton Gillies born in White Rock, B.C. Gillies has played in the NHL since 2008-09 with the Minnesota Wild and Columbus.

1993:  Buffalo's Mike Ramsey played in his 900th career NHL game as the Sabres lost 3-1 to the visiting Vancouver Canucks.

1994:  Paul Broten scored twice and added two assists to lead the Stars to a 9-3 win over the Penguins at Pittsburgh.

2003:  Dwayne Roloson made 31 saves for his 9th career shutout as the Minnesota Wild recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time in franchise history, with a 2-0 win over the visiting Flyers. It was also their 2nd shutout in 3 days over the Flyers.

2010:  Ottawa Senators obtained Matt Cullen from Carolina, in exchange for Alexandre Picard and a second-round pick in 2010.

2010:  Minnesota Wild obtained Cam Barker from Chicago in exchange for Kim Johnsson and Nick Leddy.

2011:  The 5th annual, 'Hockey Day Minnesota' took place on this date.  Hockey Day Minnesota is a day in Minnesota run in cooperation with the Minnesota Wild and Fox Sports North that features at least two Minnesota High School Boys Hockey games, a Girls' Hockey game, Minnesota Gopher men's hockey game, and to cap off the day a Minnesota Wild NHL game.  The outdoor games in 2011 were held in sunny Moorhead, MN with Wayzata defeating Roseau in OT 2-1.  The second game on Moorheads' slushy outdoor ice was against the hometown Spuds from Moorhead vs. the Pioneers from Hill-Murray.  Hill-Murray defeated Moorhead 3-2 playing on outdoor ice that literally melted away under the players skates as the game was played.

2012:  Minnesota Wild defenseman Kim Johnsson along with Eden Prairie, MN native draftee - Nick Leddy were both traded to Chicago Blackhawks for defenseman Cam Barker

Tag(s): This Day In MN History