Minnesota Fighting Saints
Encyclopedia
The Minnesota Fighting Saints was the name of two professional ice hockey
teams based in Saint Paul, Minnesota
that played in the World Hockey Association
. The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises, playing from 1972–76. The second team was relocated from Cleveland, Ohio
, and played for part of the 1976–77 season. Neither edition of the franchise completed its final season of play.
. Partway through the first season, the new St. Paul Civic Center opened in January 1973. The first game in the new arena was on January 1, 1973, a 4-4 overtime tie with the Houston Aeros
.
The team colors were royal blue, white and new gold. The name was taken from the St. Paul Saints of the Central Hockey League, who had used the nickname "The Fighting Saints" in promotional material.
At the outset, the Saints had a policy of favoring local players, with the 1972–73 roster featuring no fewer than 11 athletes who were either born in Minnesota or (in the case of former Team USA players Keith Christiansen
, George Konik
and Carl Wetzel
) American citizens. This was almost unheard of in the early 1970s, when few NHL or WHA teams had even a single American player.
Among the players the Saints selected in the inaugural WHA draft in 1972 was a defenseman who had played for Team USA at the 1956 Winter Olympics
, Wendell Anderson
. Anderson said he was flattered, but he chose not to join the Saints and instead stuck to his day job—as Governor of Minnesota
.
The Saints never missed the playoffs nor had a losing record and the team always drew more fans than the WHA average. They also boasted a handful of expensive marquee players such as Mike Walton
, Dave Keon
and John McKenzie
. Nevertheless, without a true franchise player, the Saints were unable to secure the lucrative television deal that could have relieved their growing financial woes. The Saints had a winning record of 30-25-4 and were second in the West behind the Houston Aeros
when they ceased operations on February 28, 1976, due to financial struggles.
The last game was played February 25, 1976 at the Civic Center, a 2-1 overtime loss to the San Diego Mariners
in front of an announced crowd of 6,011.
After the NHL's California Golden Seals
moved to Cleveland to become the Cleveland Barons
, the WHA's Cleveland Crusaders
moved to St. Paul for the 1976–77 season. Like their predecessors, this second version of the Saints (called the "New Fighting Saints" in advertising and promotional material) had a winning record through their first 42 games (19-18-5), but owner Nick Mileti was unable to sell the team to local buyers. The franchise officially folded on January 20, 1977. The team's logo and uniform design were identical to the first team's, but with scarlet replacing blue in the color scheme.
The "New" Fighting Saints played their final game on January 14, 1977, a 9-5 home win over the Indianapolis Racers
.
was the Saints' captain in their first four seasons. In the final season, Ron Ward
was the team captain, replaced in mid-season by John Arbour
.
Among the Saints' notable players in their brief history were Wayne Connelly
(the team's career scoring leader), Mike Walton
, Mike Antonovich
(the team's career games leader), Ted Hampson
, Dave Keon
, John McKenzie and Rick Smith, tough guys Jack Carlson
, Gord Gallant
, Curt Brackenbury
, Bill Butters
and Paul Holmgren
and goalies Mike Curran
and John Garrett. In the 1974 WHA semifinals against Houston, controversial forward Bill "Goldie" Goldthorpe played three games for the Fighting Saints, compiling no points and 25 penalty minutes. (The 1977 movie Slap Shot featured a wild player named Ogie Oglethorpe, based on Goldthorpe.)
was the Saints general manager throughout their history. Sonmor coached the Saints for the first part of their inaugural season. When Sonmor gave up his coaching duties, assistant coach Harry Neale
took over as head coach. Sonmor coached the Saints again during their final season, 1976–77. Neale had become head coach of the New England Whalers after the original Saints folded in 1976.
's version of "When the Saints Go Marching In
" was used as the theme song for WLOL's Fighting Saints broadcasts. No local radio station carried games of the New Fighting Saints (1976–77).
Fighting Saints games were televised sporadically on WTCN. The first WTCN game was a home contest versus Cleveland on December 23, 1973, with Buetel and Allard simulcasting. Buxton called subsequent games on WTCN.
On January 7, 1973, CBS aired its first WHA game between the Fighting Saints and Winnipeg Jets live from the new St. Paul Civic Center with Ron Oakes, Gerry Cheevers
and Dick Stockton
announcing. In the 1973–74 season, one Saints home game was carried on KTCA-TV (PBS).
The main sportswriters who covered the Fighting Saints were Charley Hallman of the St. Paul Pioneer Press-Dispatch and John Gilbert of the Minneapolis Tribune.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
teams based in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
that played in the World Hockey Association
World Hockey Association
The World Hockey Association was a professional ice hockey league that operated in North America from 1972 to 1979. It was the first major competition for the National Hockey League since the collapse of the Western Hockey League in 1926...
. The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises, playing from 1972–76. The second team was relocated from Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
, and played for part of the 1976–77 season. Neither edition of the franchise completed its final season of play.
Original team
The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises. They played four seasons, beginning in 1972–73. The Fighting Saints' first game, a 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, was played October 13, 1972, at the St. Paul AuditoriumRoy Wilkins Auditorium
The Roy Wilkins Auditorium is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena in St. Paul, Minnesota. Designed by renowned African American municipal architect Clarence W. Wigington, it was built in 1932 as the St. Paul Auditorium, and was renamed for Roy Wilkins in 1985...
. Partway through the first season, the new St. Paul Civic Center opened in January 1973. The first game in the new arena was on January 1, 1973, a 4-4 overtime tie with the Houston Aeros
Houston Aeros
The Houston Aeros are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. The team plays in Houston, Texas, at the Toyota Center. They are the AHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild.- History :...
.
The team colors were royal blue, white and new gold. The name was taken from the St. Paul Saints of the Central Hockey League, who had used the nickname "The Fighting Saints" in promotional material.
At the outset, the Saints had a policy of favoring local players, with the 1972–73 roster featuring no fewer than 11 athletes who were either born in Minnesota or (in the case of former Team USA players Keith Christiansen
Keith Christiansen
Keith "Huffer" Christiansen is a former professional ice hockey player who appeared in 138 World Hockey Association regular season games with the Minnesota Fighting Saints between 1972 and 1974...
, George Konik
George Konik
George Samuel Konik is a retired professional ice hockey player. Konik was a star on the University of Denver hockey team which won the NCAA hockey championship in 1960 and 1961...
and Carl Wetzel
Carl Wetzel
Carl David Wetzel is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender who made 7 game appearances in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota North Stars between 1964 and 1968...
) American citizens. This was almost unheard of in the early 1970s, when few NHL or WHA teams had even a single American player.
Among the players the Saints selected in the inaugural WHA draft in 1972 was a defenseman who had played for Team USA at the 1956 Winter Olympics
1956 Winter Olympics
The 1956 Winter Olympics, officially known as the VII Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. This celebration of the Games was held from 26 January to 5 February 1956. Cortina, which had originally been awarded the 1944 Winter Olympics, beat out...
, Wendell Anderson
Wendell Anderson
Wendell Richard "Wendy" Anderson is an American politician and was the 33rd Governor of Minnesota from January 4, 1971 to December 29, 1976. In late 1976, he resigned the governor's office in order to be named U.S. Senator to replace Walter Mondale, who had been elected Vice President of the...
. Anderson said he was flattered, but he chose not to join the Saints and instead stuck to his day job—as Governor of Minnesota
Governor of Minnesota
The Governor of Minnesota is the chief executive of the U.S. state of Minnesota, leading the state's executive branch. Forty different people have been governors of the state, though historically there were also three governors of Minnesota Territory. Alexander Ramsey, the first territorial...
.
The Saints never missed the playoffs nor had a losing record and the team always drew more fans than the WHA average. They also boasted a handful of expensive marquee players such as Mike Walton
Mike Walton
Michael Robert "Shakey" Walton is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association . He was a forward with explosive offensive skills who made up for his lack of size with blazing speed and superior puckhandling...
, Dave Keon
Dave Keon
David Michael Keon is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He played professionally from 1960–61 to 1981–82, including 15 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1986....
and John McKenzie
John McKenzie
John McKenzie may refer to:* John McKenzie , New Zealand politician* John McKenzie , Canadian ice hockey player* John C. McKenzie , United States Representative from Illinois...
. Nevertheless, without a true franchise player, the Saints were unable to secure the lucrative television deal that could have relieved their growing financial woes. The Saints had a winning record of 30-25-4 and were second in the West behind the Houston Aeros
Houston Aeros (WHA)
The Houston Aeros were a professional ice hockey team in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1978.-Franchise history:The Aeros became one of the original franchises in the World Hockey Association when the Dayton Arrows franchise was moved to Houston in 1972...
when they ceased operations on February 28, 1976, due to financial struggles.
The last game was played February 25, 1976 at the Civic Center, a 2-1 overtime loss to the San Diego Mariners
San Diego Mariners
The San Diego Mariners were an ice hockey team based in San Diego that played in the World Hockey Association. They played from 1974 to 1977. Their home ice was San Diego Sports Arena...
in front of an announced crowd of 6,011.
Second team
California Golden Seals
The California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League from 1967–76. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals part-way through the 1967–68 season, and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of...
moved to Cleveland to become the Cleveland Barons
Cleveland Barons (NHL)
The Cleveland Barons were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1976–78. They were a relocation of the California Golden Seals franchise, which had played in Oakland since 1967...
, the WHA's Cleveland Crusaders
Cleveland Crusaders
The Cleveland Crusaders were a professional ice hockey team from Cleveland, Ohio. The Crusaders were founded by Nick Mileti, and played in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1976...
moved to St. Paul for the 1976–77 season. Like their predecessors, this second version of the Saints (called the "New Fighting Saints" in advertising and promotional material) had a winning record through their first 42 games (19-18-5), but owner Nick Mileti was unable to sell the team to local buyers. The franchise officially folded on January 20, 1977. The team's logo and uniform design were identical to the first team's, but with scarlet replacing blue in the color scheme.
The "New" Fighting Saints played their final game on January 14, 1977, a 9-5 home win over the Indianapolis Racers
Indianapolis Racers
The Indianapolis Racers were a franchise in the former World Hockey Association from 1974 to 1978. They competed in five seasons, folding 25 games into the 1978–79 season. They played at Market Square Arena...
.
Players
Ted HampsonTed Hampson
Edward George "Tick" Hampson was a National Hockey League centre during the 1960s and 70s.-Career:...
was the Saints' captain in their first four seasons. In the final season, Ron Ward
Ron Ward
Ronald Leon "Magic" Ward was a National Hockey League player from 1970-1972 who played defence for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks. He then switched to the fledgling World Hockey Association, playing for the New York Raiders in the 72–73 season...
was the team captain, replaced in mid-season by John Arbour
John Arbour
John Gilbert Arbour is a retired professional ice hockey player who played in both the National Hockey League and the World Hockey Association...
.
Among the Saints' notable players in their brief history were Wayne Connelly
Wayne Connelly
Wayne Francis Connelly is a Canadian former ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League with the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, Minnesota North Stars, Detroit Red Wings, St...
(the team's career scoring leader), Mike Walton
Mike Walton
Michael Robert "Shakey" Walton is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association . He was a forward with explosive offensive skills who made up for his lack of size with blazing speed and superior puckhandling...
, Mike Antonovich
Mike Antonovich (ice hockey)
Michael John "Antone" Antonovich is a former professional ice hockey player, and coach. He was selected in the ninth round of the 1971 NHL Amateur Draft, 113th overall, by the Minnesota North Stars. He is currently a scout for the St...
(the team's career games leader), Ted Hampson
Ted Hampson
Edward George "Tick" Hampson was a National Hockey League centre during the 1960s and 70s.-Career:...
, Dave Keon
Dave Keon
David Michael Keon is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre. He played professionally from 1960–61 to 1981–82, including 15 seasons with the Toronto Maple Leafs, and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1986....
, John McKenzie and Rick Smith, tough guys Jack Carlson
Jack Carlson
Jack Carlson is a retired American ice hockey forward.Carlson played in the World Hockey Association with the Minnesota Fighting Saints, Edmonton Oilers and New England Whalers, and in the National Hockey League for the Minnesota North Stars and St. Louis Blues...
, Gord Gallant
Gord Gallant
Gord Gallant is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 273 games in the World Hockey Association. He played for the Quebec Nordiques, Minnesota Fighting Saints, and Birmingham Bulls. He is best known for his time playing for the Fighting Saints...
, Curt Brackenbury
Curt Brackenbury
John Curtis Brackenbury is a retired professional ice hockey forward who played 141 games in the National Hockey League and 257 games in the World Hockey Association. He played for the Chicago Cougars, Minnesota Fighting Saints, Quebec Nordiques, Edmonton Oilers, and St. Louis Blues.- External...
, Bill Butters
Bill Butters
William Joseph Butters is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 217 games in the World Hockey Association and 72 games in the National Hockey League...
and Paul Holmgren
Paul Holmgren
Paul Howard Holmgren is an American former professional ice hockey right winger who played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers and Minnesota North Stars. He moved into coaching after his playing career, serving as head coach of the Flyers and Hartford Whalers...
and goalies Mike Curran
Mike Curran
Michael Vincent Curran is a retired ice hockey goaltender. He led the United States to a surprising silver medal at the 1972 Winter Olympics after representing the USA at the 1969,1970 and 1971 Ice Hockey World Championship...
and John Garrett. In the 1974 WHA semifinals against Houston, controversial forward Bill "Goldie" Goldthorpe played three games for the Fighting Saints, compiling no points and 25 penalty minutes. (The 1977 movie Slap Shot featured a wild player named Ogie Oglethorpe, based on Goldthorpe.)
Team executives
Glen SonmorGlen Sonmor
Glen Sonmor is a former professional hockey player, scout and coach.-Early life:In high school, Sonmor played for Moose Jaw and was a multi-sport star; playing point guard in basketball, quarterback in football and left wing in hockey, as well as pitching in semi-pro baseball...
was the Saints general manager throughout their history. Sonmor coached the Saints for the first part of their inaugural season. When Sonmor gave up his coaching duties, assistant coach Harry Neale
Harry Neale
Harold Watson Neale is a hockey colour commentator, who currently works for the Buffalo Sabres on the Sabres Hockey Network...
took over as head coach. Sonmor coached the Saints again during their final season, 1976–77. Neale had become head coach of the New England Whalers after the original Saints folded in 1976.
Season-by-season record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
GP | W | L | T | Pts | GF | GA | PIM | Finish | Playoffs |
| 1972–73 | 78 | 38 | 37 | 3 | 79 | 250 | 269 | 1134 | 4th, Western | Lost Quarterfinals (Winnipeg) |
| 1973–74 | 78 | 44 | 32 | 2 | 90 | 332 | 275 | 1243 | 2nd, Western | Won Quarterfinals (Edmonton Edmonton Oilers The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League .... ) Lost Semifinals (Houston Houston Aeros (WHA) The Houston Aeros were a professional ice hockey team in the World Hockey Association from 1972 to 1978.-Franchise history:The Aeros became one of the original franchises in the World Hockey Association when the Dayton Arrows franchise was moved to Houston in 1972... ) |
| 1974–75 | 78 | 42 | 33 | 3 | 87 | 308 | 279 | 1233 | 3rd, Western | Won Quarterfinals (New England Hartford Whalers The Hartford Whalers were a professional ice hockey team based for most of its existence in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.A.. The club played in the World Hockey Association from 1972–79 and in the National Hockey League from 1979–97... ) Lost Semifinals (Quebec Quebec Nordiques The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League... ) |
| 1975–76 | 59 | 30 | 25 | 4 | 64 | 211 | 212 | 1354 | DNF | Did not finish season |
| 1976–77 | 42 | 19 | 18 | 5 | 43 | 136 | 129 | 600 | DNF | Did not finish season |
| Totals | 335 | 173 | 145 | 17 | 363 | 1237 | 1164 | 5564 |
Media coverage
Games of the original Fighting Saints were heard on WLOL Radio (1330 AM) from 1972 to 1976, with Frank Buetel as play-by-play announcer. Buetel was the original TV voice of the NHL's Minnesota North Stars from 1967 to 1970 on WTCN-TV (now KARE-TV). Buetel's color commentators included Roger Buxton and Bob Halvorson, the Saints' first-season public relations director (1972–73), and Bill Allard (1973–76). Al HirtAl Hirt
Al Hirt was an American trumpeter and bandleader. He is best remembered for his million selling recordings of "Java", and the accompanying album, Honey in the Horn . His nicknames included 'Jumbo' and 'The Round Mound of Sound'...
's version of "When the Saints Go Marching In
When the Saints Go Marching In
"When the Saints Go Marching In", often referred to as "The Saints", is an American gospel hymn that has taken on certain aspects of folk music. The precise origins of the song are not known. Though it originated as a spiritual, today people are more likely to hear it played by a jazz band...
" was used as the theme song for WLOL's Fighting Saints broadcasts. No local radio station carried games of the New Fighting Saints (1976–77).
Fighting Saints games were televised sporadically on WTCN. The first WTCN game was a home contest versus Cleveland on December 23, 1973, with Buetel and Allard simulcasting. Buxton called subsequent games on WTCN.
On January 7, 1973, CBS aired its first WHA game between the Fighting Saints and Winnipeg Jets live from the new St. Paul Civic Center with Ron Oakes, Gerry Cheevers
Gerry Cheevers
Gerald Michael "Cheesey" Cheevers is a former goaltender in the National Hockey League and World Hockey Association between 1961 and 1980, most famous for his two stints with the Boston Bruins, where he backstopped the team to Stanley Cup wins in 1970 and 1972...
and Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton
Dick Stockton is an American sportscaster. He is currently employed by Fox Sports and Turner Sports as a football, baseball, and basketball play-by-play announcer.-Early life and career:...
announcing. In the 1973–74 season, one Saints home game was carried on KTCA-TV (PBS).
The main sportswriters who covered the Fighting Saints were Charley Hallman of the St. Paul Pioneer Press-Dispatch and John Gilbert of the Minneapolis Tribune.