Minnesota Wild

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Minnesota Wild
Conference	Western
Division	Northwest
Founded	2000
History	Minnesota Wild 2000-present
Arena	Xcel Energy Center
City	St. Paul, Minnesota
Local Media Affiliates	FSN North KSTC-TV WCCO (830 AM)
Team Colors	Green, Red, Wheat, and Harvest Gold
Owner	Bob Neagle, Jr.
General Manager	Doug Risebrough
Head Coach	Jacques Lemaire
Captain	Keith Carney (Rotating)
Minor League Affiliates	Houston Aeros (AHL) Texas Wildcatters (ECHL)
Stanley Cups	none
Conference Championships	none
Division Championships	none

The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in Saint Paul, Minnesota. They play in the National Hockey League (NHL). The team's inaugural season was in 2000.

Contents 1 Franchise history 2 Season-by-season record 3 Notable players 3.1 Current roster 3.2 Team captains 3.3 Hall of Famers 3.4 Retired numbers 3.5 First-round draft picks 3.6 Franchise scoring leaders 4 NHL awards and trophies 5 Franchise individual records 6 References 7 See also 8 External links

[edit] Franchise history

Prior to Inaugural Season 1997- 6/25 The National Hockey League announces that Minnesota Hockey Ventures Group has been awarded an expansion franchise set to begin in the 2000-01 NHL season. 11/20 Minnesota Hockey Ventures Group narrows the list of candidates for the team nickname to six. The final list of names were; Minnesota Blue Ox, Minnesota Freeze, Minnesota Northern Lights, Minnesota Voyageurs, Minnesota White Bears, and Minnesota Wild.

1998- 1/22 The new NHL Franchise is offically named the Minnesota Wild infront of a sold out historic Aldrich Arena. 6/23 Ground breaking begins at the site of the old St. Paul Civic center where Xcel Energy Center now stands.

1999- 7/15 Minnesota Wild announce all 64 suites at the new Xcel Energy Center has been sold out. 9/22 Minnesota Wild hire Doug Risebrough as the teams first General Manager. 11/18 Minnesota Wild unveil the teams home sweater and the common logo that is used.

2000- 5/1 The Minnesota Wild offically joins the National Hockey League. 5/4 The Minnesota Wild sign their first player in franchise history. Steve Aronson, a collegeant hockey player at Division III St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minnesota. 5/10 Minnesota Wild announce a partnership with the Cleveland Lumberjacks as their IHL affiliate. 6/1 Minnesota Wild win a coin toss against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Minnesota was given the choice to choose 3rd in the NHL Entry Draft or pick first in the expansion draft. The Wild choose to pick 3rd in the Entry Draft. 6/12 Minnesota unveils it's inaugural season logo. 6/15 Minnesota Wild and Xcel Energy agree on a long term deal that will name the new area Xcel Energy Center. 6/19 Minnesota Wild name Jacques Lemaire as their firt ever head coach. 6/24 Minnesota Wild unveil the road sweater at the NHL Entry Draft. 6/23-6/25 Minnesota Wild participates in the NHL Expansion draft with the other expansion team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Minnesota Wild select Marian Gaborik with the 3rd overall pick in the Entry Draft hosted by the Calgary Flames. 9/7 Inaugural Minnesota Wild Traning Camp begins. 9/19 Minnesota Wild plays it's first ever pre-season game against the San Jose Sharks at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. Scott Pellerin scores the first goal for the Minnesota Wild as they tied 3-3. 9/29 Minnesota Wild plays it's first pre-season game at Xcel Energy Center against the Anaheim Mighty Ducks winning 3-1. 10/6 Minnesota witness a birth of an NHL Franchise.

2000-01 — 10/6 The Minnesota Wild play it's first offical game losing 3-1 to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks at Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim. Marian Gaborik scores the teams first and lone goal in the second period. 10/11 The Minnesota Wild play it's first offical game at Xcel Energy Center as they hosted the Philadelphia Flyers. The game ends in a 3-3 tie as Minnesota native Darby Hendrickson scores the first home goal for the Minnesota Wild. 10/22 Jamie McLennan records the first ever shutout as the Minnesota Wild and Florida Panthers tied 0-0. 11/26 Playing in the first afternoon game, Minnesota's Antti Laaksonen records the first ever hat-trick in Minnesota Wild history as the Wild beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-2. 12/2 The Minnesota Wild tie a expansion team record in the NHL for most penalty shots in one season as Antti Laaksonen was unsuccessful against Patrick Lalime of Ottawa. 12/17 In front of an emotional 18,568 fans the Minnesota Wild play the Dallas Stars in the Stars first regular season game back in Minnesota since leaving after the 1992-93 season. The Minnesota Wild won 6-0 with former Minnesota Golden Gopher Jeff Nielsen who grew up watching the Minensota North Stars score the first goal of the game. Former Dallas Star goalie Manny Fernandez records a shutout against his former team. 1/5 Minnesota Wild extends with unbeaten streak to eight games as Filip Kuba scores an overtime goal against the Detroit Red Wings at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild would win 3-2. 1/10 The Minnesota Wild extend it's unbeaten streak to nine game, setting an NHL expansion record as they beat the Washington Captials 3-0 at Xcel Energy Center. 3/1 Wild trade Scott Pellerin to the Carolina Hurricanes for a draft pick and a prospect. 3/3 Wild trade Sean O' Donnell to the New Jersey Devils for Willie Mitchell. 3/13 Wild trade Curtis Leschyshyn to the Ottawa Senators for a draft pick. 3/28 Minnesota Wild establish an NHL Expansion record with their 39th consecutive sellout against the Phoenix Coyotes. The team draws 751,452 fans averaging 18,329 a contest. 4/8 The Minnesota Wild finishes it's inaugural season losing 4-2 against the Colorado Avalanche at Xcel Energy Center. Wes Walz scores his seventh short-handed goal setting an NHL record for short-handed goals by an individual on an expansion team. Manny Fernandez is awared the Pontiac-GMC Star Award. The team wasn't very successful on the ice, but showed promise for future seasons. The Wild would win 25 games in the inaugural season with the first win coming against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Xcel Energy Center. Gaborik would score 18 goals and 18 assists, both club record for a rookie still heald today.^[1]

OFF-SEASON INBETWEEN 2000-01 and 2001-02 SEASONS 5/21 The Minnesota Wild announce an affiliation with the Houston Aeros of the AHL. 6/23 Wild draft Mikko Koivu in the Entry Draft. 6/29 Wild acquire Sergei Zholtok from the Edmonton Oilers. 7/6 Wild sign Andrew Brunette who was a free agent. 7/13 The Minnesota Wild announce it has reached the 16,000 season ticket mark. 9/28 Wild claimed Sebastien Bordeleau off waivers from the St. Louis Blues.

2001-02 — 11/1 Wild trade Sergei Krivokrasov to the Anaheim Mighty Ducks for a draft pick. 11/4 The 1,000,000 fan attends a Minnesota Wild game. 12/26 The Minnesota Wild announces it has placed a bid to host a future NHL All-Star game at Xcel Energy Center. 1/22 Wild trade Andy Sutton to the Atlanta Thrashers for Hnat Domenichelli. 2/1 Marian Gaborik is named to the Topps/NHL Young Guns Game played the Saturday before the All-Star Game at Staples Center in Los Angeles. 2/8 Marian Gaborik plays in the NHL All-Star Game. Gaborik would be the first All-Star in Minnesota Wild history. 4/14 The Minnesota Wild complets it's second season with a record of 26-35-12-9 with a franchise record 73 points. Minnesota's 73 points ranks 5th all-time for a second year team.

OFF-SEASON INBETWEEN THE 2001-02 and 2002-03 SEASONS 6/22 Wild acquire Cliff Ronning from the Los Angeles Kings for a draft pick. Wild also trades Jamie McLennan to the Calgary Flames for a draft pick. 7/3 Wild sign free agent Bill Muckalt. 9/25 Minneapolis and St. Paul are awared co-hosts of the 2004 NHL All-Star Game.

2002-03 — 10/31 Wild trade Sylvain Blouin to the Montreal Canadiens for a draft pick. 11/2 Wild claim Andrei Zyuzin off waivers from the New Jersey Devils. 1/16 Marian Gaborik named to the NHL All-Star team to be played at Office Depot Center in Florida. 1/18 Nick Schultz named to the Topps/NHL Young Guns Game played the day before the All-Star Game. 2/6 Minnesota wild announces it was extended the contracts to Jacques Lemaire, head coach and Mike Ramsey along with Mario Trembley, assistant coaches. 3/23 Minnesota Wild offically qualify for the NHL playoffs for the first time by defeading the Detroit Red Wings at Xcel Energy Center. 4/3 Minnesota Wild and Xcel Energy Center are named hosts for the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. 4/6 The Minnesota Wild finish it's third season with a record of 42-29-10-1 for 95 points finishing 6th in the Western Confrence. The 95 points ranks second all-time for a third year team.

2003 STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

1. 6 Minnesota Wild v #3 Colorado Avalanche-

4/10 Minnesota Wild competes in the first playoff game in franchise history. The Wild defeat the Colorado Avalanche in Game 1 4-2 with Filip Kuba scoring the first playoff goal for the Minnesota Wild. Dwayne Roloson is in net for the first win. 4/22 Minnesota Wild defeat the Colorado Avalanche in Game 7 played at Pepsi Center. Minnesota's Andrew Brunette scores the overtime game, offically sending Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy into retirement.

1. 6 Minnesota Wild v #5 Vancouver Canucks-

5/8 Minnesota Wild defeat the Vancouver Canucks 4-2 to become the first team in the history of the NHL to comeback from 3-1 deficites twice in the playoffs. The Wild also became the second team in NHL history to win two game sevens on the road in the same post season.

1. 6 Minnesota Wild v #7 Anaheim Mighty Ducks-

The Minnesota Wild held home ice advantage for the first time in their short history as they hosted the Anaheim Mighty Ducks in the Western Confrence Finals. Anaheim would go on to win the series 4-0.

OFF-SEASON INBETWEEN 2002-03 and 2003-04 SEASONS 6/12 Jacques Lemaire is named the winner of the Jack Adams Award (best coach in the NHL) and Wes Walz is a runner-up for the Frank J. Sylke Trophy (best defensive forward). 6/21 Wild draft Brent Burns in the first round. 7/28 Wild sign Marc Chouinard as a free-agent.

2003-04 — 10/16 The Minnesota Wild unveil their third jersey when they host the Colorado Avalanche. 1/24 Minnesota Wild goaltender Dwayne Roloson and defensemen Filip Kuba are named to the NHL All-Star Game. Minnesota's Pierre-Marc Bouchard is named the Topps/NHL Young Stars Game. 10/21 Jeremy Stevenson claimed by the Nashville Predators off waivers. 11/13 Wild claim Jason Wiemer off waivers from the New York Islanders. 12/17 Wild acquire Eric Chouinard from the Philadelphia Flyers for a draft pick. 2/7 + 2/8 Minnesota Wild host the 2004 NHL All-Star Weekend. 2/25 Wild trade Darby Hendrickson to the Colorado Avalanche for a draft pick. 3/3 Wild trade Jason Marshall to the San Jose Sharks for a draft pick. 3/4 Wild trade Jim Dowd to the Montreal Canadiens for a draft pick. 3/5 Wild trade Brad Bombardir and Sergei Zholtok to the Nashville Predators for a couple of draft picks. 3/8 Wild trade Brad Brown to the Buffalo Sabres for a draft pick. When this season started the Wild were short-handed with both Pascal Dupuis and Gaborik holding out. After struggling in the first month the Wild finally got their two young star left-wingers signed but both struggled to get back into game shape as the Wild struggled through much of November. It was especially bad with Gaborik, Minnesota's career all-time leading scorer, holding out. In a deep hole the Wild could not climb back into the playoffs despite finishing the season strong with wins in 5 of their last 6 games as they finished last in the competitive Northwest Division with a record of 30-29-20-3.

OFF-SEASON INBETWEEN THE 2003-04 AND CANCELLED 2004-05 SEASONS 9/2-9/10 Minnesota Wild plays host to four games of the 2004 World Cup of Hockey tournament games.

2004-05 — 9/16 The NHL lockout offically beings with the owners locking the players out. 2/16 NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman offically cancels the 2004-05 season. In late January, former Minnesota Wild player Sergei Zholtok dies in the arms of Minnesota native and former Minnesota Wild player Darby Hendrickson in a game in Europe. Zholtok died of a heart condition.

OFF-SEASON INBETWEEN THE CANCELLED 2004-05 SEASON AND 2005-06 SEASONS.

7/8 Wild sign free-agent Brian Rolston. 7/22 The NHL Board of Governors ratify the terms of the new CBA negotiated by the NHLPA, ending a 310 day work stoppage. 7/30 Wild trade a draft pick to the Ottawa Senators for Todd White.

2005-06 — 10/4 Wild claim Randy Robitaille from the Atlanta Thrashers. 10/5 Minnesota Wild begins it's fifth season in the NHL. The Minnesota Wild struggle on the ice as Doug Risebrough takes a look at the younger players in the orginization. 3/4 Wild claimed Mattias Weinhandl from the New York Islanders. 3/8 Wild trade Dwayne Roloson to the Edmonton Oilers for a first round pick. 3/9 Wild trade Willie Mitchell to the Dallas Stars for Martin Skoula and Shawn Belle.

OFF-SEASON INBETWEEN the 2005-06 AND 2006-07 SEASON.

2006-07 — Minnesota started off by winning 9 of their first 10 games. 12/9 New Wild member, Mark Parrish recorded the seasons first hat-trick for the Wild in a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

[edit] Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Records as of December 5, 2006. ^[2]

Season	GP	W	L	T	OTL	Pts	GF	GA	PIM	Finish	Playoffs
2000-01	82	25	39	13	5	68	168	210	1200	5th, Northwest	Did not qualify
2001-02	82	26	35	12	9	73	195	238	1209	5th, Northwest	Did not qualify
2002-03	82	42	29	10	1	95	198	178	1063	3rd, Northwest	Won in Conference Quarterfinals, 4-3 (Avalanche) Won in Conference Semifinals, 4-3 (Canucks) Lost in Conference Finals, 0-4 (Mighty Ducks)
2003-04	82	30	29	20	3	83	188	183	1035	5th, Northwest	Did not qualify
2004-051	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
2005-062	82	38	36	—	8	84	231	215	1211	5th, Northwest	Did not qualify
2006-07	27	14	11	—	2	30	77	72	312	in progress	in progress
Totals	416	167	168	55	26	415	1001	1035	5792	—	—

¹ Season was cancelled due to the 2004-05 NHL lockout.

² As of the 2005-06 NHL season, all games will have a winner; the OTL column includes SOL (Shootout losses).

[edit] Notable players

[edit] Current roster

As of December 3, 2006. [1]

Goaltenders
#		Player	Catches	Acquired	Place of Birth
32		Niklas Bäckström	L	2006	Helsinki, Finland
35		Manny Fernandez	L	2000	Etobicoke, Ontario

Defensemen
#		Player	Shoots	Acquired	Place of Birth
3		Keith Carney - C	L	2006	Providence, Rhode Island
5		Kim Johnsson - A	L	2006	Malmö, Sweden
8		Brent Burns	R	2003	Ajax, Ontario
26		Kurtis Foster (IR)	L	2005	Carp, Ontario
33		Petteri Nummelin	L	2006	Turku, Finland
41		Martin Skoula	L	2006	Litomerice, Czechoslovakia
55		Nick Schultz	L	2000	Strasbourg, Saskatchewan

Forwards
#		Player	Position	Shoots	Acquired	Place of Birth
9		Mikko Koivu	C	L	2001	Turku, Finland
10		Marián Gáborík (Injured)	LW	L	2000	Trencin, Czechoslovakia
11		Pascal Dupuis	LW	L	2000	Laval, Quebec
12		Brian Rolston - A	C	L	2004	Flint, Michigan
17		Wyatt Smith	C	L	2006	Thief River Falls, Minnesota
19		Stephane Veilleux	LW	L	2001	Beauceville, Quebec
21		Mark Parrish	RW	R	2006	Bloomington, Minnesota
23		Jason Morgan(IR)	C	L	2006	St. John's, Newfoundland
24		Derek Boogaard (Injured)	LW	L	2001	Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
28		Todd White	RW	L	2005	Kanata, Ontario
37		Wes Walz (Injured)	C	R	2000	Calgary, Alberta
38		Pavol Demitra	LW	L	2006	Dubnica, Czechoslovakia
92		Branko Radivojevič	RW	R	2006	Piestany, Czechoslovakia
96		Pierre-Marc Bouchard	C	L	2002	Sherbrooke, Quebec

[edit] Team captains

Note: Since joining the NHL in 2000, the Wild have never named a permanent captain. Instead, the team captaincy is rotated on a monthly basis amongst several of its players each season, with some players serving multiple times.

[edit] Hall of Famers

• None

[edit] Retired numbers

• 1 Minnesota Fans, 1967-93 (North Stars) and 2000-present (Wild)
• 99 Wayne Gretzky, number retired league-wide February 6, 2000

[edit] First-round draft picks

• 2000: Marian Gaborik (3rd overall)
• 2001: Mikko Koivu (6th overall)
• 2002: Pierre-Marc Bouchard (8th overall)
• 2003: Brent Burns (20th overall)
• 2004: A.J. Thelen (12th overall)
• 2005: Benoit Pouliot (4th overall)
• 2006: James Sheppard (9th overall)
• 2006: Acquired from Edmonton then traded to Los Angeles (17th overall)

[edit] Franchise scoring leaders

These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; * = current Wild player

Player	Pos	GP	G	A	Pts	P/G
Marian Gaborik*	LW	367	138	143	281	.77
Andrew Brunette	LW	245	54	110	164	.67
Wes Walz*	C	380	75	85	160	.42
Pascal Dupuis*	LW	302	63	71	134	.44
Jim Dowd	C	283	32	89	121	.43
Pierre-Marc Bouchard*	RW	214	33	86	119	.56
Antti Laaksonen	RW	323	55	63	118	.37
Sergei Zholtok	LW	210	42	68	110	.52
Filip Kuba	D	292	27	80	107	.37
Brian Rolston*	C	105	46	54	100	.95

[edit] NHL awards and trophies

Jack Adams Award

• Jacques Lemaire: 2002-03

Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award

• Dwayne Roloson: 2003-04

[edit] Franchise individual records

• Most Goals in a season: Marian Gaborik, 38 (2005-06)
• Most Assists in a season: Andrew Brunette, 48 (2001-02)
• Most Points in a season: Brian Rolston, 79 (2005-06)
• Most Penalty Minutes in a season: Matt Johnson, 201 (2002-03)
• Most Points in a season, defenseman: Filip Kuba, 30 (2000-01)
• Most Points in a season, rookie: Marian Gaborik, 36 (2000-01)
• Most Wins in a season: Manny Fernandez, 30 (2005-06)
• Most Shutouts in a season: Dwayne Roloson, 5 (2001-02 & 2003-04)

[edit] References

[edit] See also

• List of Minnesota Wild players
• Head Coaches of the Minnesota Wild
• Minnesota North Stars
• List of NHL players
• List of NHL seasons

[edit] External links

• Official website of the Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild Head Coaches
Lemaire