The Minnesota North Stars history is a remarkable chapter in professional ice hockey. Founded in 1967, the team quickly became a fan favorite and a key part of the Minnesota North Stars NHL landscape. Known for thrilling games and passionate supporters, they developed memorable rivalries while building a legacy that still resonates with hockey fans today.
Established
1967
City
San Francisco – Cleveland – Bloomington – Dallas
League History
1967 – Present / National Hockey League
Team History
1993 – Present / Dallas Stars
1967 – 1993 / Minnesota North Stars
1976 – 1978 / Cleveland Barons
1970 – 1976 / California Golden Seals
1967 – 1970 / Oakland Seals
1967 / California Seals
Nickname
North Stars – The Minnesota North Stars are an iconic part of the National Hockey League’s history, having been a franchise from 1967 to 1993. The team was initially founded as the California Golden Seals in 1966 and relocated to Minnesota for the 1967-68 season, where they were renamed as such. But why did they choose this name?
The answer lies in two parts: location and symbolism. In terms of location, it is no secret that hockey is hugely popular throughout Canada - particularly within provinces like Ontario and Quebec - so by choosing a moniker with ‘North’ in its title (even though technically located south of both), it was hoped that fans from those regions would be drawn towards them due to their shared geography.
Minnesota North Stars Origin
Additionally, there was also some symbolism behind the choice too; namely, those stars have long been associated with hope and ambition – something which any sports team needs if they are going to succeed! This idea has since become even more embedded into their identity thanks primarily to its use on their logo design, featuring 11 white stars representing each member state or province found along America’s northern border (including Manitoba).
All things considered then, while we may never know exactly what inspired management when coming up with this nickname back all those years ago – one thing is certain: It certainly worked! After all these years later, people still remember fondly upon hearing about “the North Stars."
Championship
Stanley Cup 0
1999
Arena
2001 – Present / American Airlines Center
1993 – 2001 / Reunion Arena
*Bloomington*
1967 – 1993 / Met Center
*Richfield*
1976 – 1978 / Richfield Coliseum
*Oakland*
1967 – 1976 / Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Arena
Owner
2011 – Present / Tom Gaglardi
1995 – 2011 / Tom Hicks
1991 – 1995 / Norman Green
1989 – 1991 / Howard Baldwin and Morris Belzberg
1967 – 1989 / Walter Bush, Jr. and John Driscoll
1976 – 1978 / Melvin Swig and George Gund III
1970 – 1975 / Melvin Swig (California Golden Seals)
1967 – 1970 / Barry Van Gerbig (California Seals)
- 1967
- 1978
- 1993
-
Minnesota North Stars Team Formation
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 – 1968 season. 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 ... -
Merge with Cleveland Barons
By 1978 the North Stars had missed the playoffs in five of the previous six seasons. Attendance had tailed off so rapidly that the league feared that the franchise was on the verge of folding. At this point, Gordon and George Gund III, owners of the equally strapped Cleveland Barons, stepped in with an unprecedented solution—merging the North Stars with ... -
Moving to Dallas
By 1992, Norm Green was arranging a deal to turn the team into the L.A. Stars, playing at a new arena under construction in Anaheim, California. However, as The Walt Disney Company was already in negotiations with the NHL to create an expansion team in the area, the league instead asked Green to let Disney create the Mighty Ducks of ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Minnesota North Stars History
The Minnesota North Stars history is an important chapter in professional ice hockey. The franchise was based in Bloomington, Minnesota, and competed in the Minnesota North Stars NHL from 1967 until 1993. Created as part of the NHL’s first major expansion into the United States and Canada, the team built a passionate following. Over their 26 seasons, the Minnesota North Stars reached the Stanley Cup Finals twice, won one division title, and developed a memorable rivalry with the Chicago BlackHawks.
Early success defined the Minnesota North Stars history as players like Bill Goldsworthy, Lou Nanne, and Cesare Maniago helped lead the team to its first playoff berth during the 1968–69 season. Although they lost to the St. Louis Blues in four straight games, their performance set the tone for the club’s competitive spirit. The Minnesota North Stars NHL team continued making playoff appearances for seven more consecutive seasons before reaching their first Stanley Cup Finals against the New York Islanders in the 1980–81 season. Despite another four-game loss, they gained valuable experience at the highest level of hockey.
During the mid-1980s, the Minnesota North Stars NHL team achieved one of its biggest milestones by winning the Norris Division title in the 1984–85 season, only a year after moving from the Met Center to the Target Center. This accomplishment reflected the resilience and growing talent within the organization. However, the franchise’s momentum slowed, and after the 1992–93 NHL season, the team relocated to Texas, where it became known as the Dallas Stars.
North Stars Achievements
The Minnesota North Stars history also includes producing some of the league’s most respected players and memorable playoff runs. They consistently developed talent such as Neal Broten, Dino Ciccarelli, and Brian Bellows, who became household names among fans. These stars helped shape the club’s identity, making it a competitive and exciting franchise within the NHL for decades.
One of the greatest achievements in the Minnesota North Stars history came in the 1990–91 season when, as underdogs, they stunned hockey fans by reaching the Stanley Cup Finals once again. Led by head coach Bob Gainey, the team defeated powerhouse clubs like the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers before ultimately falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins. This deep playoff run remains one of the most celebrated moments in Minnesota North Stars NHL history.
Even after relocation, the legacy of the Minnesota North Stars NHL continues to live on among hockey enthusiasts. Their green and gold jerseys, thrilling rivalries, and unforgettable playoff performances are still cherished by fans in Minnesota. The franchise’s history paved the way for the state’s continued love of hockey and laid the groundwork for today’s thriving hockey culture in the region.
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Retired Number
7 / Neal Broten
8 / Bill Goldsworthy
9 / Mike Modano
19 / Bill Masterton
26 / Jere Lehtinen
99 / Wayne Gretzky
*Blue is this team’s history
