When the Minnesota North Stars took to the ice in 1967, they carried a name chosen by fans that echoed the French phrase “L’Étoile du Nord,” the star of the north, a nod to the state’s geography and spirit.
For nearly three decades the franchise was a cornerstone of Minnesota’s winter identity, its purple and green jerseys becoming a familiar sight in rinks from the Twin Cities to the Iron Range.
The Owner’s Dilemma
The ownership landscape shifted in 1990 when Norman Green acquired the team, only to confront mounting financial pressures that forced a difficult decision two years later.
In the spring of 1993, Green relocated the franchise to Dallas, Texas, rebranding it as the Dallas Stars; the move sent shockwaves through Minnesota’s hockey community, leaving a void that was felt in every local rink.
A New Franchise Takes Shape
Green’s tenure in Dallas was short‑lived; by 1995 he sold the franchise, paving the way for a new era in Texas but sealing the departure of a beloved Minnesota institution.
The quest to restore top‑level hockey to Minnesota found a champion in Bob Naegele Jr., who, together with investors such as Walter Bush Jr., Robert Ridder, George Gund, Gordon Gund and Tom Hicks, assembled a group that secured an NHL expansion franchise for the state.
In 1997 the new team, the Minnesota Wild, took the ice, reviving the state’s hockey passion and giving fans a fresh narrative while the memories of the North Stars lingered.
Decades later, the love for the game remains undiminished; the roar of the crowd at Xcel Energy Center still reflects a deep‑rooted connection that transcends jerseys, coaches and logos.