1967–68 Minnesota North Stars season

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The Minnesota North Stars season was their first in the NHL.

[edit] Offseason

On March 11, 1965, NHL President Clarence Campbell announced that the league would expand to twelve teams from six through the creation of a new six-team division for the 1967-68 season.^[1] In response to Campbell's announcement, a partnership of nine men, led by Walter Bush Jr. and John Driscoll, was formed to seek a franchise for the Twin Cities area of Minnesota.^[2][3] Their efforts were successful as the NHL awarded one of six expansion franchises to Minnesota on February 9, 1966.^[3] In addition to Minnesota, the five other franchises were California (Oakland), Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis.^[3] The "North Stars" name was announced on May 25, 1966, following a public contest.^[3] The name is derived from the state's motto "L'Étoile du Nord", which is a French phrase meaning "The Star of the North".^[4] Months after the naming of the team, ground was broken on October 3, 1966 for a new hockey arena in Bloomington, Minnesota.^[3] The home of the North Stars, Metropolitan Sports Center, was built in 12 months at a cost of US$7 million.^[2] The arena was ready for play for the start of the 1967-68 NHL season, but portions of the arena's construction had not been completed.^[5] Spectator seats were in the process of being installed as fans arrived at the arena for the opening home game on October 21, 1967.^[5]

[edit] NHL Draft

[edit] Regular season

On October 15, 1967, the North Stars played the first game in franchise history on the road against the California Seals, another expansion team.^[4] The North Stars lost that game, but would get a rematch against the Seals six days later at home, this time playing to a 3–3 tie.^[4] The team achieved success early as it was in first place in the Western Division halfway through the 1967–68 season.^[4]

[edit] Season standings

[edit] Bill Masterton

• On January 13, 1968, 4 minutes into a game against the Oakland Seals at the Met Center, Bill was checked by Larry Cahan and Ron Harris of Oakland, and fell backwards onto the ice. The force of the back of his head hitting the ice caused much bleeding, and he quickly lost blood.

[edit] Expansion Draft

• Minnesota North Stars selections

[edit] Player stats

[edit] Forwards

Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points

[edit] Defencemen

Note: GP= Games played; G= Goals; AST= Assists; PTS = Points; PIM = Points

[edit] Goaltending

Note: GP= Games played; MIN= Minutes; W= Wins; L= Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals Against

[edit] Playoffs

In the first round of the Western Division playoffs, the North Stars defeated the Los Angeles Kings in seven games. The second round of the playoff series would be played against the St. Louis Blues and that series would go to seven games as well. The Blues would win the seventh game and advance to face the Montreal Canadiens in the 1968 Stanley Cup Finals.

[edit] Awards and Honors

[edit] Roster

[edit] References

• North Stars on Hockey Database

1. ^ Showers, Bob (2007), Minnesota North Stars: History and Memories with Lou Nanne, Beaver's Pond Press, pp. 5, ISBN 1592981976 
2. ^ ^{a b} Showers, Bob (2007), Minnesota North Stars: History and Memories with Lou Nanne, Beaver's Pond Press, pp. 8, ISBN 1592981976 
3. ^ ^{a b c d e} Showers, Bob (2007), Minnesota North Stars: History and Memories with Lou Nanne, Beaver's Pond Press, pp. 9, ISBN 1592981976 
4. ^ ^{a b c d} Minnesota North Stars. Sports E-cyclopedia. Retrieved on 2007-11-13.
5. ^ ^{a b} Showers, Bob (2007), Minnesota North Stars: History and Memories with Lou Nanne, Beaver's Pond Press, pp. 28, ISBN 1592981976