Minnesota Wild
Encyclopedia
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey
team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
. They are members of the Northwest Division
of the Western Conference
of the National Hockey League
(NHL).
The team was founded in 2000, becoming the first NHL franchise in Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars
moved to Dallas in 1993. They lost their first game, 3–1, to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
and recorded their first win against the Tampa Bay Lightning
five games later. The Wild play at the Xcel Energy Center
. In the 2002–03 NHL season, the team made its first playoff appearance, and made a surprising run to the Western Conference Finals, where they were swept by the Ducks.
Minnesota has two minor-league affiliates, the Houston Aeros
and the Bakersfield Condors
. As of 2011, the Wild have averaged a .531 winning percentage since entering the league..
after the 1993 season, the state was without an NHL team for seven seasons. Mayor Norm Coleman began a campaign to either recruit the relocation of an existing franchise to Saint Paul, or the award of an expansion franchise to a Minnesota-based ownership group. Bob Naegele, Jr. became the lead investor for an application to the NHL for an expansion franchise and ultimately the first majority owner. On June 25, 1999, the NHL
announced that Minnesota
had been awarded an expansion franchise, to begin play in the 2000–01 season. The six finalist team names for the new NHL franchise were Blue Ox, Freeze, Northern Lights, Voyageurs, White Bears, and Wild were announced on November 20, 1997. Jac Sperling was named Chief Executive Officer
of the Minnesota team, Doug Risebrough was named General Manager, Tod Leiweke
was named President, and Martha Fuller was named Chief Financial Officer
.
The team was officially named the Wild, with the unveiling occurring at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood, MN on January 22, 1998. The new name was introduced to everyone with the song "Born to be wild" by Steppenwolf playing over the arena's speaker system. The Minnesota Wild announced its first major sponsorship agreement with Mastercard
from First USA. It was the earliest that First USA had ever signed an agreement in advance of a team beginning play (31 months). The State of Minnesota adopted legislation in April, 1998 to loan $65 million to the City of Saint Paul to fund 50% of the estimated $130 million project costs for the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. The legislation also provided that only $48 million of the loan needed to be repaid if the team met the requirements to have an agreement in place during the term of the lease with the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission. The City of Saint Paul issued an additional $65 million in bonds, with roughly 90% of the debt service on the bonds and the repayment of the state loan coming from scheduled rent and payment in lieu of taxes from the Minnesota Wild. The Saint Paul Civic Center deconstruction began soon thereafter and the Xcel Energy Center design was announced. A groundbreaking ceremony for the Xcel Energy Center was hosted in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The Minnesota Wild announced a 26-year partnership agreement with the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission (MASC). The Minnesota Wild-MASC partnership is the first partnership of its kind between a private professional sports team and a public amateur sports organization. Doug Risebrough
was named executive vice president/general manager of Minnesota Wild and the Xcel Energy Center was completed and ready for use.
their first-ever head coach and the team picked Marian Gaborik
third overall in the first round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft
. Gaborik would go on to score the first ever goal for the Wild in their franchise debut on October 6 at Anaheim. The Wild played their first ever home game on October 11 against the Philadelphia Flyers
and skated to a 3–3 tie. Minnesota native Darby Hendrickson
scored the first-ever home goal for the Wild. The team was not very successful on the ice, but showed promise for future seasons. The most notable game of the year, however, was the first visit of the Dallas Stars
, who had formerly played in Minnesota as the Minnesota North Stars
. The Wild rode an emotional sellout crowd of over 18,000 to a 6–0 shutout in Dallas' first regular season game in Minnesota since a neutral-site game in 1993. The season ended with Scott Pellerin
as the leading scorer with 39 points while Wes Walz
, Darby Hendrickson, and Gaborik paced the team with 18 goals each.
, and Andrew Brunette
led the team in scoring with 69 points.
Finals before being swept 4–0 by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
. Previously, the Wild had beaten the favored and third-seeded Colorado Avalanche
in the first round in seven games, coming back from a 3–1 series deficit and winning both Game Six and Seven in overtime. Brunette scored the series clinching goal, the last ever on Patrick Roy
. In the Western Conference semifinals, the Wild beat the fourth-seeded Vancouver Canucks
, again in seven games, and again after being down 3–1 in a series. In the process, the Wild became the first team in playoff history to capture a seven-game series twice after facing elimination during Game Five.
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. In a deep hole, the Wild could not climb back into the playoffs, despite finishing the season strong, with wins in five of their last six games as they finished last in the competitive Northwest Division
with a record of 30–29–20–3. Along the way, the Wild began to gear up for the future, trading away several of their older players who were a part of the franchise from the beginning, including Brad Bombardir
and Jim Dowd
.
died from a heart condition during a game in Europe. Zholtok died in the arms of Minnesotan and former Wild player Darby Hendrickson
.
; along the way, Gaborik set a new franchise record for goals in a season (38), and Brian Rolston
set a new highest point total by a Wild player in a season (79). The goaltender controversy between Manny Fernandez and Dwayne Roloson
ended when Roloson was traded to the Edmonton Oilers
for a first round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft
.
The Wild signed veteran free agents Kim Johnsson
, Mark Parrish
, Branko Radivojevic
, and Keith Carney
. On the day of the NHL Entry Draft
, they traded the 17th overall pick and prospect Patrick O'Sullivan to the Los Angeles Kings
for veteran Slovak Pavol Demitra
. Niklas Backstrom
was the starting goalie for the Wild after previous starter Manny Fernandez sprained his knee on January 20. Fernandez played for the first time since the sprain on March 6 and was removed after allowing three goals in two periods in the Wild's 3–0 loss to the San Jose Sharks
. Josh Harding
was brought up from the Wild's AHL
affiliate, the Houston Aeros
, when Fernandez was hurt, and remained on Minnesota's roster for the rest of the season as the backup goalie. All-Star winger Marian Gaborik returned from a groin injury in January 2007 and made an immediate impact, bringing a new spark to a lacking offense.
The Wild made the playoffs in 2007 for the second time in team history, but were eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup
champion Anaheim Ducks
in the opening round. Notably, the same Anaheim franchise eliminated the Wild in their first playoff year, in the conference finals, in 2003.
The Wild broke numerous franchise records including most goals and points in a season (Marian Gaborik — 42 goals and 83 points). Also, Jacques Lemaire
recorded his 500th career coaching win and the Wild clinched their first ever Northwest Division title in a 3–1 victory over the Calgary Flames
on April 3, 2008. They again faced the Colorado Avalanche
in the first round as sixth and third seed (as in the 2003 playoffs), but this time the roles were reversed, and the Wild held home-ice advantage. However, Minnesota came up short, being ousted in six games by the Avalanche.
During the off-season of 2008, the Wild re-acquired Andrew Brunette from the Avalanche, as well as trading for defenseman Marek Zidlicky
. The Wild also signed free agents Antti Miettinen
and Owen Nolan
to multi-year deals. There seemed to be a stigma about Jacques Lemaire's defensive system that caused a number of top free agents to avoid the Wild.
Despite winning the Northwest Division the previous season, the Wild fell to ninth place in the Western Conference in 2008–09, missing the playoffs entirely. Much of this was in part due to a lack of scoring and overall team offense, and the injuries to star forward Marian Gaborik, who played only 17 games. Jacques Lemaire
, coach of the Wild since the team's inception in the 2000–01 season, resigned as coach at seasons end. General Manager Doug Risebrough
was later fired, leading to a nearly complete turnover in the Wild's coaching and hockey management staff.
In the summer of 2009, owner Craig Leipold
hired former Pittsburgh Penguins
Assistant General Manager
Chuck Fletcher
to act as standing GM. Later that summer, Fletcher selected Todd Richards
as head coach. Once the free agency period opened that summer, Martin Havlat
was brought over from the Chicago Blackhawks
in order to lessen the blow of Marian Gaborik's departure. During the first month of the 2009–10 season, the team announced their first ever full-time captain, Mikko Koivu
.
In 2009, owner Craig Leipold named Matt Majka as Chief Operating Officer of the Minnesota Wild.
The 2009–10 and the 2010–11 seasons ended in disappointment for the Wild as they missed the playoffs both seasons. In the 2010 NHL Entry Draft
the Wild held the 9th overall pick and used it to select Finnish forward Mikael Granlund
. Following the 2010–11 season the team fired head coach Todd Richards due to the team failing to reach the playoffs in his two seasons as head coach with a 77–71–16 record. Mike Yeo
, who coached the Wild's American Hockey League
affiliate, the Houston Aeros
, to a Western Conference title in 2011, was named the new head coach.
During the 2011 NHL Entry Draft
, in which the team hosted, the Wild held the 10th overall pick, which was used to select Jonas Brodin
. The club also created a stir when they traded star defenseman Brent Burns
and a 2012 second round pick to the San Jose Sharks
in exchange for Devin Setoguchi
, Charlie Coyle
, and the 28th overall pick in the 2011 draft which they used to select Zack Phillips
. Later in the offseason, the Wild traded Martin Havlat
for Dany Heatley
in another blockbuster trade with the Sharks. In the month of November, the team set a franchise record for most wins in one month with 11.
The questions surrounding the identity of the animal depicted, has sparked debate amongst logo enthusiasts, earning it recognition as one of the best logos in sport according to The Good Point. Some feel as though the form of the animal on the logo is that of a wild cat, while the majority view it to be a bear. Jamie thinks it may be "some form of hybrid animal and that the marketing department missed out on a serious opportunity for alliteration because people love alliteration"
In 2008, "Nordy" was introduced as the official mascot of the team.
owner Craig Leipold
. The NHL’s Board of Governors officially approved Leipold’s purchase of Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (MSE) on April 10, 2008. Leipold, a resident of Racine, Wisconsin, completed the sale of the Nashville Predators to a local ownership group on December 7, 2007, a team he owned since the expansion franchise was awarded to Nashville in 1997. Under Leipold’s ownership, the Predators were dedicated to building a long-term winning franchise, playing an important role in the community through service initiatives, providing a fun and entertaining game-night experience and building strong relationships with their fans and corporate partners.
Leipold is the majority owner and principal investor in MSE, a regional sports and entertainment leader that includes the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, its AHL
affiliate the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League, the National Lacrosse League’s Minnesota Swarm, Wildside Caterers, 317 on Rice Park and the facility management of Xcel Energy Center and the Saint Paul RiverCentre. He also serves as the team’s Governor at NHL Board of Governors’ meetings. After purchase of MSE, Mr. Leopold sold the Swarm to John Arlotta. Along with the Wild, the group has year-round management rights of the Xcel Energy Center, and currently has a management contract to manage the adjoining Saint Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium
. The partnership also owns and operates 317 on Rice Park, which is the former historic Minnesota Club.
.
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
. After Todd Richards
became head coach for the start of the 2009–2010 season, Mikko Koivu, who was the last rotating captain and had had the captaincy three different times in the 2008–2009 season, became the franchise's first permanent captain on October 20, 2009.
was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (in the players category) in 1985. On April 3, 2008, he became only the 11th coach in NHL history to have 500 wins.
Retired Numbers:
1 – tribute to Wild Fans on October 10, 2000
99 – retired league-wide for Wayne Gretzky
on February 6, 2000.
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; * = current Wild player
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award
William M. Jennings Trophy
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...
team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. They are members of the Northwest Division
Northwest Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northwest Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Western Conference due to expansion. Like the Pacific Division, the Northwest Division is also a descendant of the former Smythe Division, as three of its Canadian teams played in that division from 1981–1993...
of the Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL).
The team was founded in 2000, becoming the first NHL franchise in Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
moved to Dallas in 1993. They lost their first game, 3–1, to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
and recorded their first win against the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
five games later. The Wild play at the Xcel Energy Center
Xcel Energy Center
The Xcel Energy Center is a multi-purpose arena located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It is named for its locally-based corporate sponsor Xcel Energy. With an official capacity of 18,064, the arena has four spectator levels: one suite level and three general seating levels. The arena is owned by the...
. In the 2002–03 NHL season, the team made its first playoff appearance, and made a surprising run to the Western Conference Finals, where they were swept by the Ducks.
Minnesota has two minor-league affiliates, 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 :...
and the Bakersfield Condors
Bakersfield Condors
The Bakersfield Condors are a minor league ice hockey team based in Bakersfield, California. The team plays in the Pacific Division of the ECHL's Western Conference. The Condors join the Houston Aeros as an affiliate of the Minnesota Wild in the National Hockey League...
. As of 2011, the Wild have averaged a .531 winning percentage since entering the league..
Preparations of a new franchise
Following the departure of the Minnesota North StarsMinnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
after the 1993 season, the state was without an NHL team for seven seasons. Mayor Norm Coleman began a campaign to either recruit the relocation of an existing franchise to Saint Paul, or the award of an expansion franchise to a Minnesota-based ownership group. Bob Naegele, Jr. became the lead investor for an application to the NHL for an expansion franchise and ultimately the first majority owner. On June 25, 1999, the NHL
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
announced that Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
had been awarded an expansion franchise, to begin play in the 2000–01 season. The six finalist team names for the new NHL franchise were Blue Ox, Freeze, Northern Lights, Voyageurs, White Bears, and Wild were announced on November 20, 1997. Jac Sperling was named Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the Minnesota team, Doug Risebrough was named General Manager, Tod Leiweke
Tod Leiweke
Tod Leiweke . Leiweke, who was raised in the small town of Lesterville, Missouri, is an American sports executive. He was hired on July 26, 2010 to become the Chief Executive Officer of Tampa Bay Sports & Entertainment including the Tampa Bay Lightning and St. Pete Times Forum...
was named President, and Martha Fuller was named Chief Financial Officer
Chief financial officer
The chief financial officer or Chief financial and operating officer is a corporate officer primarily responsible for managing the financial risks of the corporation. This officer is also responsible for financial planning and record-keeping, as well as financial reporting to higher management...
.
The team was officially named the Wild, with the unveiling occurring at Aldrich Arena in Maplewood, MN on January 22, 1998. The new name was introduced to everyone with the song "Born to be wild" by Steppenwolf playing over the arena's speaker system. The Minnesota Wild announced its first major sponsorship agreement with Mastercard
MasterCard
Mastercard Incorporated or MasterCard Worldwide is an American multinational financial services corporation with its headquarters in the MasterCard International Global Headquarters, Purchase, Harrison, New York, United States...
from First USA. It was the earliest that First USA had ever signed an agreement in advance of a team beginning play (31 months). The State of Minnesota adopted legislation in April, 1998 to loan $65 million to the City of Saint Paul to fund 50% of the estimated $130 million project costs for the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. The legislation also provided that only $48 million of the loan needed to be repaid if the team met the requirements to have an agreement in place during the term of the lease with the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission. The City of Saint Paul issued an additional $65 million in bonds, with roughly 90% of the debt service on the bonds and the repayment of the state loan coming from scheduled rent and payment in lieu of taxes from the Minnesota Wild. The Saint Paul Civic Center deconstruction began soon thereafter and the Xcel Energy Center design was announced. A groundbreaking ceremony for the Xcel Energy Center was hosted in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The Minnesota Wild announced a 26-year partnership agreement with the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission (MASC). The Minnesota Wild-MASC partnership is the first partnership of its kind between a private professional sports team and a public amateur sports organization. Doug Risebrough
Doug Risebrough
Douglas John Risebrough is a former player, coach, and general manager in the National Hockey League. In his 31 years in the NHL, he has been involved with the Stanley Cup Playoffs 25 times...
was named executive vice president/general manager of Minnesota Wild and the Xcel Energy Center was completed and ready for use.
First five seasons
First NHL season
The Minnesota Wild's first season officially started. The Wild named Jacques LemaireJacques Lemaire
Jacques Gerard Lemaire is a former ice hockey forward for the Montreal Canadiens and a long-time coach, most notably with the New Jersey Devils and the Minnesota Wild.-Playing career:...
their first-ever head coach and the team picked Marian Gaborik
Marian Gaborik
Marián Gáborík is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He began his career in the Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Trenčín for two seasons before being drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the...
third overall in the first round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft
2000 NHL Entry Draft
The 2000 NHL Entry Draft was held from June 24 to 25 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, following the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft on June 23 for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild...
. Gaborik would go on to score the first ever goal for the Wild in their franchise debut on October 6 at Anaheim. The Wild played their first ever home game on October 11 against the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
and skated to a 3–3 tie. Minnesota native Darby Hendrickson
Darby Hendrickson
Darby Joseph Hendrickson is a retired American professional ice hockey center. He played in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks, Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche, and is currently an assistant coach with the Wild.-Playing career:He was drafted in...
scored the first-ever home goal for the Wild. The team was not very successful on the ice, but showed promise for future seasons. The most notable game of the year, however, was the first visit of the Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
, who had formerly played in Minnesota as the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
. The Wild rode an emotional sellout crowd of over 18,000 to a 6–0 shutout in Dallas' first regular season game in Minnesota since a neutral-site game in 1993. The season ended with Scott Pellerin
Scott Pellerin
Scott Pellerin is a retired professional ice hockey left winger who played in the National Hockey League between 1992 and 2004....
as the leading scorer with 39 points while Wes Walz
Wes Walz
Wesley Walz is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and former assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Currently, Walz works as a volunteer assistant coach with the Raptors of East Ridge High School, Woodbury, Minnesota. There he coaches his son...
, Darby Hendrickson, and Gaborik paced the team with 18 goals each.
2001–2002
The Wild would get off to a strong start by getting at least one point in their first seven games. However, the Wild would finish in last place again with a record of 26–35–12–9. Along the way, there were signs the Wild were improving, as second-year speedster Gaborik had a solid sophomore season with 30 goals, including an invite to the NHL YoungStars GameNHL YoungStars Game
The NHL YoungStars Game started in 2002, to replace the Heroes of Hockey Old-Timers game during the All-Star Weekend activities. The first four games were played as separate games to the actual All-Star Game, but starting in 2008, it was changed to become part of the NHL Super Skills Competition,...
, and Andrew Brunette
Andrew Brunette
Andrew Brunette is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:Brunette grew up in the small community of Valley East, Ontario just outside of Sudbury...
led the team in scoring with 69 points.
2002–03
Gaborik spent much of the season vying for the league scoring crown before slumping in the second half, and the Wild, in their first ever playoff appearance, made it all the way to the Western ConferenceWestern Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
Finals before being swept 4–0 by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Previously, the Wild had beaten the favored and third-seeded Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
in the first round in seven games, coming back from a 3–1 series deficit and winning both Game Six and Seven in overtime. Brunette scored the series clinching goal, the last ever on Patrick Roy
Patrick Roy
Patrick Edward Armand Roy is a former Canadian ice hockey goaltender. Nicknamed "Saint Patrick," Roy split his professional career between the Montreal Canadiens, whom he played with for 10 years, and the Colorado Avalanche, whom he played with for 8 years, both of the National Hockey League...
. In the Western Conference semifinals, the Wild beat the fourth-seeded Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
, again in seven games, and again after being down 3–1 in a series. In the process, the Wild became the first team in playoff history to capture a seven-game series twice after facing elimination during Game Five.
2003–04
When the season started, the Wild were short-handed with both Pascal DupuisPascal Dupuis
Pascal Dupuis is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
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. In a deep hole, the Wild could not climb back into the playoffs, despite finishing the season strong, with wins in five of their last six games as they finished last in the competitive Northwest Division
Northwest Division (NHL)
The NHL's Northwest Division was formed in 1998 as part of the Western Conference due to expansion. Like the Pacific Division, the Northwest Division is also a descendant of the former Smythe Division, as three of its Canadian teams played in that division from 1981–1993...
with a record of 30–29–20–3. Along the way, the Wild began to gear up for the future, trading away several of their older players who were a part of the franchise from the beginning, including Brad Bombardir
Brad Bombardir
Luke Bradley Bombardir is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild and the Nashville Predators in the NHL...
and Jim Dowd
Jim Dowd (hockey player)
James Thomas Dowd is an American former professional ice hockey center who played in the National Hockey League for ten different teams over the course of 17 NHL seasons. Dowd, who won the 1995 Stanley Cup with the hometown New Jersey Devils, was the second New Jersey high school hockey player to...
.
2004–05
Season canceled due to lockout. Former Wild player Sergei ZholtokSergei Zholtok
Sergejs Žoltoks was a Latvian professional ice hockey center who played ten seasons in the National Hockey League for the Boston Bruins, Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild and Nashville Predators....
died from a heart condition during a game in Europe. Zholtok died in the arms of Minnesotan and former Wild player Darby Hendrickson
Darby Hendrickson
Darby Joseph Hendrickson is a retired American professional ice hockey center. He played in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders, Vancouver Canucks, Minnesota Wild and the Colorado Avalanche, and is currently an assistant coach with the Wild.-Playing career:He was drafted in...
.
Post-lockout
Minnesota finished in last place in the Northwest Division, eight points behind the Vancouver CanucksVancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
; along the way, Gaborik set a new franchise record for goals in a season (38), and Brian Rolston
Brian Rolston
Brian Lee Rolston is a professional ice hockey player and an alternate captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. He has won a Stanley Cup Championship with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, and the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 playing for Team USA...
set a new highest point total by a Wild player in a season (79). The goaltender controversy between Manny Fernandez and Dwayne Roloson
Dwayne Roloson
Albert Dwayne Roloson is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League . He has previously played for the Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers, and New York Islanders during his professional career...
ended when Roloson was traded to the Edmonton Oilers
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 ....
for a first round pick in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft
2006 NHL Entry Draft
The 2006 NHL Entry Draft was the 44th NHL Entry Draft. It was held at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on June 24, 2006.The draft order for the first 14 picks was decided during a lottery held on April 20, 2006....
.
Kim Johnsson
Kim Johnsson is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent.-Playing career:...
, Mark Parrish
Mark Parrish
Mark Daniel Parrish is an American professional ice hockey right winger in the Ottawa Senators organization. He has played 10 seasons in the NHL for the Florida Panthers, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning and Buffalo Sabres-Playing...
, Branko Radivojevic
Branko Radivojevic
Branko Radivojevič is a Slovak professional ice hockey forward currently playing for Spartak Moscow of the Kontinental Hockey League...
, and Keith Carney
Keith Carney
Keith Edward Carney is an American retired professional ice hockey defenseman. He last played for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League in the 2007–08 season.-Playing career:...
. On the day of the NHL Entry Draft
NHL Entry Draft
The NHL Entry Draft is an annual meeting in which every franchise of the National Hockey League systematically select the rights to available amateur ice hockey players who meet draft eligibility requirements...
, they traded the 17th overall pick and prospect Patrick O'Sullivan to the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
for veteran Slovak Pavol Demitra
Pavol Demitra
Pavol Demitra was a Slovak professional ice hockey player. He played sixteen seasons in the National Hockey League , two in the Czechoslovak First Ice Hockey League /Slovak Extraliga and one in the Kontinental Hockey League . Known as an offensive player, Demitra was a first- or second-line...
. Niklas Backstrom
Niklas Bäckström
Niklas Oskar Bäckström is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . He has won both William M. Jennings Trophy and Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award...
was the starting goalie for the Wild after previous starter Manny Fernandez sprained his knee on January 20. Fernandez played for the first time since the sprain on March 6 and was removed after allowing three goals in two periods in the Wild's 3–0 loss to the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Josh Harding
Josh Harding
Josh Harding is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League.- Playing career :...
was brought up from the Wild's AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
affiliate, 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 :...
, when Fernandez was hurt, and remained on Minnesota's roster for the rest of the season as the backup goalie. All-Star winger Marian Gaborik returned from a groin injury in January 2007 and made an immediate impact, bringing a new spark to a lacking offense.
The Wild made the playoffs in 2007 for the second time in team history, but were eliminated by the eventual Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
champion Anaheim Ducks
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the opening round. Notably, the same Anaheim franchise eliminated the Wild in their first playoff year, in the conference finals, in 2003.
The Wild broke numerous franchise records including most goals and points in a season (Marian Gaborik — 42 goals and 83 points). Also, Jacques Lemaire
Jacques Lemaire
Jacques Gerard Lemaire is a former ice hockey forward for the Montreal Canadiens and a long-time coach, most notably with the New Jersey Devils and the Minnesota Wild.-Playing career:...
recorded his 500th career coaching win and the Wild clinched their first ever Northwest Division title in a 3–1 victory over the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
on April 3, 2008. They again faced the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
in the first round as sixth and third seed (as in the 2003 playoffs), but this time the roles were reversed, and the Wild held home-ice advantage. However, Minnesota came up short, being ousted in six games by the Avalanche.
During the off-season of 2008, the Wild re-acquired Andrew Brunette from the Avalanche, as well as trading for defenseman Marek Zidlicky
Marek Zidlicky
Marek Zidlicky is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:Marek Zidlicky was selected 176th overall, in the sixth round of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft on June 24, 2001...
. The Wild also signed free agents Antti Miettinen
Antti Miettinen
Antti Miettinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward who plays for Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL in Russia-Playing career:...
and Owen Nolan
Owen Nolan
Owen Liam Nolan is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, who is currently a free agent. He has played in the National Hockey League for the Quebec Nordiques, Colorado Avalanche, San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs, Phoenix Coyotes, Calgary Flames and the Minnesota Wild before signing with...
to multi-year deals. There seemed to be a stigma about Jacques Lemaire's defensive system that caused a number of top free agents to avoid the Wild.
Despite winning the Northwest Division the previous season, the Wild fell to ninth place in the Western Conference in 2008–09, missing the playoffs entirely. Much of this was in part due to a lack of scoring and overall team offense, and the injuries to star forward Marian Gaborik, who played only 17 games. Jacques Lemaire
Jacques Lemaire
Jacques Gerard Lemaire is a former ice hockey forward for the Montreal Canadiens and a long-time coach, most notably with the New Jersey Devils and the Minnesota Wild.-Playing career:...
, coach of the Wild since the team's inception in the 2000–01 season, resigned as coach at seasons end. General Manager Doug Risebrough
Doug Risebrough
Douglas John Risebrough is a former player, coach, and general manager in the National Hockey League. In his 31 years in the NHL, he has been involved with the Stanley Cup Playoffs 25 times...
was later fired, leading to a nearly complete turnover in the Wild's coaching and hockey management staff.
In the summer of 2009, owner Craig Leipold
Craig Leipold
Craig Leipold is an American businessman. He is known for owning two professional ice hockey teams in the National Hockey League. He formerly owned the Nashville Predators and is the majority owner of the Minnesota Wild...
hired former Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
Assistant General Manager
General manager
General manager is a descriptive term for certain executives in a business operation. It is also a formal title held by some business executives, most commonly in the hospitality industry.-Generic usage:...
Chuck Fletcher
Chuck Fletcher
Chuck Fletcher is the current general manager of the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League, a post he has held since May 21, 2009...
to act as standing GM. Later that summer, Fletcher selected Todd Richards
Todd Richards (ice hockey)
Todd M. Richards is an assistant coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Ice hockey franchise, and the former head coach of the Minnesota Wild. He was formerly an American professional ice hockey defenceman and the head coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL...
as head coach. Once the free agency period opened that summer, Martin Havlat
Martin Havlat
Martin Havlát is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
was brought over from the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
in order to lessen the blow of Marian Gaborik's departure. During the first month of the 2009–10 season, the team announced their first ever full-time captain, Mikko Koivu
Mikko Koivu
Mikko Sakari Koivu is a Finnish professional ice hockey center and captain of the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League...
.
In 2009, owner Craig Leipold named Matt Majka as Chief Operating Officer of the Minnesota Wild.
The 2009–10 and the 2010–11 seasons ended in disappointment for the Wild as they missed the playoffs both seasons. In the 2010 NHL Entry Draft
2010 NHL Entry Draft
The 2010 NHL Entry Draft was the 48th NHL Entry Draft, held on June 25–26, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, home arena of the Los Angeles Kings. This was the first time Los Angeles hosted the NHL Entry Draft. An unofficial record of 11 American-trained players were selected in...
the Wild held the 9th overall pick and used it to select Finnish forward Mikael Granlund
Mikael Granlund
Mikael Antero Granlund is a Finnish professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for HIFK of the Finnish SM-Liiga...
. Following the 2010–11 season the team fired head coach Todd Richards due to the team failing to reach the playoffs in his two seasons as head coach with a 77–71–16 record. Mike Yeo
Mike Yeo
Michael Yeo is the current head coach of the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League. He was formerly an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins and head coach of the Houston Aeros.-Career:...
, who coached the Wild's American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
affiliate, 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 :...
, to a Western Conference title in 2011, was named the new head coach.
During the 2011 NHL Entry Draft
2011 NHL Entry Draft
The 2011 NHL Entry Draft was the 49th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the Draft was held in the state of Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars hosted the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.The top three picks consisted...
, in which the team hosted, the Wild held the 10th overall pick, which was used to select Jonas Brodin
Jonas Brodin
Jonas Brodin is a Swedish ice hockey player who is currently playing with Färjestads BK in Elitserien. He was selected 10th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild. He was raised in Edsvalla, Sweden....
. The club also created a stir when they traded star defenseman Brent Burns
Brent Burns
William Brent Burns is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
and a 2012 second round pick to the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
in exchange for Devin Setoguchi
Devin Setoguchi
Devin Charlie Kenichi Setoguchi is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Known by the nicknames The Gooch, and Seto, Setoguchi is Half-Yonsei...
, Charlie Coyle
Charlie Coyle
Charlie Coyle is an American ice hockey forward currently playing for the Boston University Terriers of the Hockey East as a prospect for the Minnesota Wild...
, and the 28th overall pick in the 2011 draft which they used to select Zack Phillips
Zack Phillips
Zack Phillips is a Canadian ice hockey player currently playing for the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He was selected 28th overall in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota Wild.- Career statistics :...
. Later in the offseason, the Wild traded Martin Havlat
Martin Havlat
Martin Havlát is a Czech professional ice hockey player currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
for Dany Heatley
Dany Heatley
Daniel James Heatley is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger, and alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Atlanta Thrashers second overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft, he won the Calder Memorial Trophy as the top NHL rookie in 2002...
in another blockbuster trade with the Sharks. In the month of November, the team set a franchise record for most wins in one month with 11.
Jerseys
The current Wild home jersey has a small imprint of the team's primary logo inside a white circle, which is surrounded by the words "Minnesota Wild" in a larger ring against a green background. The rest of the jersey is predominantly red, with additional swatches of green on the sleeves. This jersey was originally unveiled as the Wild's alternate jersey in 2003. The away jersey uses a larger version of the primary logo without the concentric circles on a predominantly white jersey. On August 30, 2009, the team unveiled another third/alternate jersey, which is almost the same design as the red home jersey but predominantly green with wheat accents. It says "Minnesota Wild" in script writing across the chest.Logo
The multi-functional primary logo of the "Wild Animal" has been met with both praise and criticism. The logo is an optical illusion that depicts both an environmental landscape and the silhouette of a wild animal.The questions surrounding the identity of the animal depicted, has sparked debate amongst logo enthusiasts, earning it recognition as one of the best logos in sport according to The Good Point. Some feel as though the form of the animal on the logo is that of a wild cat, while the majority view it to be a bear. Jamie thinks it may be "some form of hybrid animal and that the marketing department missed out on a serious opportunity for alliteration because people love alliteration"
In 2008, "Nordy" was introduced as the official mascot of the team.
Ownership
The Minnesota Wild is owned by Minnesota Sports & Entertainment, which is a limited partnership formed by former majority owner Bob Naegele Jr. of Naegele Sports, LLC in 1997. On January 10, 2008, it was announced that the franchise was being sold to former Nashville PredatorsNashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are a professional ice hockey team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
owner Craig Leipold
Craig Leipold
Craig Leipold is an American businessman. He is known for owning two professional ice hockey teams in the National Hockey League. He formerly owned the Nashville Predators and is the majority owner of the Minnesota Wild...
. The NHL’s Board of Governors officially approved Leipold’s purchase of Minnesota Sports & Entertainment (MSE) on April 10, 2008. Leipold, a resident of Racine, Wisconsin, completed the sale of the Nashville Predators to a local ownership group on December 7, 2007, a team he owned since the expansion franchise was awarded to Nashville in 1997. Under Leipold’s ownership, the Predators were dedicated to building a long-term winning franchise, playing an important role in the community through service initiatives, providing a fun and entertaining game-night experience and building strong relationships with their fans and corporate partners.
Leipold is the majority owner and principal investor in MSE, a regional sports and entertainment leader that includes the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, its AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
affiliate the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League, the National Lacrosse League’s Minnesota Swarm, Wildside Caterers, 317 on Rice Park and the facility management of Xcel Energy Center and the Saint Paul RiverCentre. He also serves as the team’s Governor at NHL Board of Governors’ meetings. After purchase of MSE, Mr. Leopold sold the Swarm to John Arlotta. Along with the Wild, the group has year-round management rights of the Xcel Energy Center, and currently has a management contract to manage the adjoining Saint Paul RiverCentre and Roy Wilkins Auditorium
Roy 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...
. The partnership also owns and operates 317 on Rice Park, which is the former historic Minnesota Club.
Community involvement
The Minnesota Wild stay involved in the community through the philanthropic activities of the Minnesota Wild Foundation and activities through its operations to support game of hockey with events such as Hockey Day MinnesotaHockey Day Minnesota
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 Minnesota Gopher men's hockey game, and a Minnesota Wild NHL game....
.
Season-by-season record
This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Wild. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Minnesota Wild seasonsNote: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2006–07 | 82 | 48 | 26 | 8 | 104 | 235 | 191 | 2nd, Northwest | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 1–4 (Ducks Anaheim Ducks The Anaheim Ducks are a professional ice hockey team based in Anaheim, California, USA. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League... ) |
| 2007–08 | 82 | 44 | 28 | 10 | 98 | 223 | 218 | 1st, Northwest | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 2–4 (Avalanche Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise... ) |
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
82 | 40 | 33 | 9 | 89 | 219 | 200 | 3rd, Northwest | Did not qualify |
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
82 | 38 | 36 | 8 | 84 | 219 | 246 | 4th, Northwest | Did not qualify |
| 2010–11 | 82 | 39 | 35 | 8 | 86 | 206 | 233 | 3rd, Northwest | Did not qualify |
Team captains
Note: Since joining the NHL in 2000, the Wild rotated the captaincy for their first 9 seasons on a monthly basis among several of its players each season, with some players serving multiple times under Jacques LemaireJacques Lemaire
Jacques Gerard Lemaire is a former ice hockey forward for the Montreal Canadiens and a long-time coach, most notably with the New Jersey Devils and the Minnesota Wild.-Playing career:...
. After Todd Richards
Todd Richards (ice hockey)
Todd M. Richards is an assistant coach for the Columbus Blue Jackets NHL Ice hockey franchise, and the former head coach of the Minnesota Wild. He was formerly an American professional ice hockey defenceman and the head coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL...
became head coach for the start of the 2009–2010 season, Mikko Koivu, who was the last rotating captain and had had the captaincy three different times in the 2008–2009 season, became the franchise's first permanent captain on October 20, 2009.
Honored members
Hall of Famers: The Wild's former Head Coach Jacques LemaireJacques Lemaire
Jacques Gerard Lemaire is a former ice hockey forward for the Montreal Canadiens and a long-time coach, most notably with the New Jersey Devils and the Minnesota Wild.-Playing career:...
was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (in the players category) in 1985. On April 3, 2008, he became only the 11th coach in NHL history to have 500 wins.
Retired Numbers:
1 – tribute to Wild Fans on October 10, 2000
99 – retired league-wide for Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
on February 6, 2000.
Franchise scoring leaders
These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history.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 Marian Gaborik Marián Gáborík is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He began his career in the Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Trenčín for two seasons before being drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the... |
RW | 502 | 219 | 218 | 437 | 0.87 |
| Mikko Koivu Mikko Koivu Mikko Sakari Koivu is a Finnish professional ice hockey center and captain of the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League... * |
C | 458 | 100 | 237 | 337 | 0.73 |
| Andrew Brunette Andrew Brunette Andrew Brunette is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:Brunette grew up in the small community of Valley East, Ontario just outside of Sudbury... |
LW | 489 | 119 | 202 | 321 | 0.66 |
| Pierre-Marc Bouchard Pierre-Marc Bouchard Pierre-Marc Bouchard is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Bouchard played his junior hockey with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in the QMJHL, and is the older brother of AHL player François Bouchard... * |
RW | 508 | 92 | 225 | 317 | 0.62 |
| Brian Rolston Brian Rolston Brian Lee Rolston is a professional ice hockey player and an alternate captain for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League. He has won a Stanley Cup Championship with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, and the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 playing for Team USA... |
LW | 241 | 96 | 106 | 202 | 0.84 |
| Brent Burns Brent Burns William Brent Burns is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... |
D | 453 | 55 | 128 | 183 | 0.40 |
| Wes Walz Wes Walz Wesley Walz is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and former assistant coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League . Currently, Walz works as a volunteer assistant coach with the Raptors of East Ridge High School, Woodbury, Minnesota. There he coaches his son... |
C | 438 | 82 | 100 | 182 | 0.42 |
| Pascal Dupuis Pascal Dupuis Pascal Dupuis is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:... |
LW | 334 | 67 | 74 | 141 | 0.42 |
| Filip Kuba Filip Kuba Filip Kuba is a Czech professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League... |
D | 357 | 33 | 99 | 132 | 0.37 |
| Nick Schultz Nick Schultz Nick Schultz is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, an alternate captain for the Minnesota Wild of the NHL. The Wild drafted him in the second round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. He played junior hockey for the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League... * |
D | 706 | 25 | 102 | 127 | 0.14 |
NHL awards and trophies
Jack Adams AwardJack Adams Award
The Jack Adams Award is awarded annually to the National Hockey League coach "adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success." It has been awarded 37 times to 32 different coaches. The winner is selected by a poll of the National Hockey League Broadcasters Association at the end of the...
- Jacques LemaireJacques LemaireJacques Gerard Lemaire is a former ice hockey forward for the Montreal Canadiens and a long-time coach, most notably with the New Jersey Devils and the Minnesota Wild.-Playing career:...
: 2002–03
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award
Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award
The Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award, officially billed as the MBNA/Mastercard Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award, is an award in ice hockey given annually to the goaltender who finished the regular season with the best save percentage in the National Hockey League . Only goaltenders who played 25...
- Niklas BackstromNiklas BäckströmNiklas Oskar Bäckström is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . He has won both William M. Jennings Trophy and Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award...
: 2006–07 - Dwayne RolosonDwayne RolosonAlbert Dwayne Roloson is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the National Hockey League . He has previously played for the Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, Edmonton Oilers, and New York Islanders during his professional career...
: 2003–04
William M. Jennings Trophy
William M. Jennings Trophy
The William M. Jennings Trophy is an annual National Hockey League award given to "the goalkeeper having played a minimum of 25 games for the team with the fewest goals scored against it. Winners are selected based on regular-season play." From 1946 until 1981, the Vezina Trophy had been awarded...
- Manny FernandezEmmanuel FernandezEmmanuel Fernandez is a Canadian former professional ice hockey goaltender who played in the National Hockey League with the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and the Boston Bruins.- Playing career :...
and Niklas BackstromNiklas BäckströmNiklas Oskar Bäckström is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . He has won both William M. Jennings Trophy and Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award...
: 2006–07
Franchise individual records
- Most goals in a season: 42 Marian GaborikMarian GaborikMarián Gáborík is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He began his career in the Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Trenčín for two seasons before being drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the...
, (2007–08) - Most assists in a season: 50 Pierre-Marc BouchardPierre-Marc BouchardPierre-Marc Bouchard is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . Bouchard played his junior hockey with the Chicoutimi Saguenéens in the QMJHL, and is the older brother of AHL player François Bouchard...
, (2007–08*) - Most points in a season: 83 Marian GaborikMarian GaborikMarián Gáborík is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He began his career in the Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Trenčín for two seasons before being drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the...
, (2007–08) - Most penalty minutes in a season: 201 Matt JohnsonMatt Johnson (hockey player)Matt Johnson is a Canadian former professional ice hockey left winger. He played parts of 10 seasons as an enforcer in the National Hockey League with the Los Angeles Kings, Atlanta Thrashers and the Minnesota Wild...
, (2002–03) - Most points in a season, defenseman: 46 Brent BurnsBrent BurnsWilliam Brent Burns is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the San Jose Sharks of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, (2010–11) - Most points in a season, rookie: 36 Marian GaborikMarian GaborikMarián Gáborík is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He began his career in the Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Trenčín for two seasons before being drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the...
, (2000–01)
- Most goals in a game: 5 Marian GaborikMarian GaborikMarián Gáborík is a Slovak professional ice hockey right winger currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He began his career in the Slovak Extraliga with HC Dukla Trenčín for two seasons before being drafted third overall in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft by the...
(Dec. 20, 2007 vs. New York RangersNew York RangersThe New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
)
- Most wins: 119 Niklas BackstromNiklas BäckströmNiklas Oskar Bäckström is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . He has won both William M. Jennings Trophy and Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award...
(as of end of 2009–10 season) - Most wins in a season: 37 Niklas BackstromNiklas BäckströmNiklas Oskar Bäckström is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . He has won both William M. Jennings Trophy and Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award...
; (2008–09) - Most shutouts in a season: 8 Niklas BackstromNiklas BäckströmNiklas Oskar Bäckström is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League . He has won both William M. Jennings Trophy and Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award...
, (2008–09),
- Best +/- in a season: +22 Keith CarneyKeith CarneyKeith Edward Carney is an American retired professional ice hockey defenseman. He last played for the Minnesota Wild of the National Hockey League in the 2007–08 season.-Playing career:...
, (2006–07)