1967–68 Minnesota North Stars season

NHLTeamSeason
Season=1967–68
Team=Minnesota North Stars
Conference=
ConferenceRank=
Division= West
DivisionRank= 4th
Record= 27–32–15
HomeRecord=
RoadRecord=
GoalsFor= 191
GoalsAgainst= 226
GeneralManager=
Coach=
Captain=Bob Woytowich
AltCaptain=
Arena=
Attendance=
GoalsLeader= Wayne Connelly (35)
AssistsLeader= Andre Boudrias (35)
PointsLeader= Wayne Connelly (56)
PIMLeader= Dave Balon (84)
WinsLeader= Cesare Maniago (21)
GAALeader= Cesare Maniago (2.77)

The 1967-68 Minnesota North Stars season was their first in the NHL.

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.Citation | last = Showers | first = Bob | year = 2007 | title = Minnesota North Stars: History and Memories with Lou Nanne | publisher = Beaver's Pond Press | isbn = 1592981976 |pages = 5] 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.Citation | last = Showers | first = Bob | year = 2007 | title = Minnesota North Stars: History and Memories with Lou Nanne | publisher = Beaver's Pond Press | isbn = 1592981976 |pages = 8] Their efforts were successful as the NHL awarded one of six expansion franchises to Minnesota on February 9, 1966.Citation | last = Showers | first = Bob | year = 2007 | title = Minnesota North Stars: History and Memories with Lou Nanne | publisher = Beaver's Pond Press | isbn = 1592981976 |pages = 9] In addition to Minnesota, the five other franchises were California (Oakland), Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and St. Louis. The "North Stars" name was announced on May 25, 1966, following a public contest. The name is derived from the state's motto "L'Étoile du Nord", which is a French phrase meaning "The Star of the North".cite web |title=Minnesota North Stars |url=http://www.sportsecyclopedia.com/nhl/minnystars/northstars.html |publisher=Sports E-cyclopedia |accessdate=2007-11-13] Months after the naming of the team, ground was broken on October 3, 1966, for a new hockey arena in Bloomington, Minnesota. The home of the North Stars, Metropolitan Sports Center, was built in 12 months at a cost of US$7 million. 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.Citation | last = Showers | first = Bob | year = 2007 | title = Minnesota North Stars: History and Memories with Lou Nanne | publisher = Beaver's Pond Press | isbn = 1592981976 |pages = 28] Spectator seats were in the process of being installed as fans arrived at the arena for the opening home game on October 21, 1967.

NHL draft

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. 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. The team achieved success early as it was in first place in the Western Division halfway through the 1967–68 season.

eason standings

Bill Masterton

* On January 13, 1968, 4 minutes into a game against the Oakland Seals at the Met Center, Bill Masterton 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.

Expansion draft

* Minnesota North Stars selections

Goaltending

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

References