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