• HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • Site Index
  • NHL Salary Caps
  • Hockey 101: A Beginner’s Guide
  • Join Our Team
  • Free Newsletter
  • Store
  • Log in
The Hockey Writers
  • HOME
  • NHL Teams
    • North Division
      • Calgary Flames
      • Edmonton Oilers
      • Montreal Canadiens
      • Ottawa Senators
      • Toronto Maple Leafs
      • Vancouver Canucks
      • Winnipeg Jets
    • East Division
      • Boston Bruins
      • Buffalo Sabres
      • New Jersey Devils
      • New York Islanders
      • New York Rangers
      • Philadelphia Flyers
      • Pittsburgh Penguins
      • Washington Capitals
    • Central Division
      • Carolina Hurricanes
      • Chicago Blackhawks
      • Columbus Blue Jackets
      • Dallas Stars
      • Detroit Red Wings
      • Florida Panthers
      • Nashville Predators
      • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • West Division
      • Anaheim Ducks
      • Arizona Coyotes
      • Colorado Avalanche
      • Los Angeles Kings
      • Minnesota Wild
      • San Jose Sharks
      • Seattle Kraken
      • St. Louis Blues
      • Vegas Golden Knights
  • Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • NHL Prospects
  • World Juniors
  • Archives
  • Podcast Network
  • More…
    • CHL
      • Ontario Hockey League
      • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
      • Western Hockey League
    • Columns
    • Women’s Hockey
    • Other Leagues
    • NHL Entry Draft
    • Books
    • NHL History
Home
Minnesota Wild

Minnesota Wild: A Brief History

By Tim Olewniczak February 1st, 2014

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

The 2014-2015  season marks the fourteenth season for the Minnesota Wild. After the North Stars relocated to Dallas at the end of the 1992-1993 season, the NHL granted Minnesota an expansion franchise that entered its inaugural year during the 2000-2001 NHL season. This year would have marked the Wild’s fifteenth season had the lockout not wiped out the entire 2004-2005 NHL season.

Since the rebirth of NHL hockey in Minnesota, the furthest the Wild have gotten in the playoffs has been the Western Conference finals. The Wild have made the playoffs just five times with a possible sixth time in the wings this season. Finishing outside of the playoff race eight times has been disappointing for fans but it has allowed the club to stockpile an impressive group of young players.

The future looks bright for the Minnesota Wild. In recent years, some of the young players that the Wild have acquired over the years are seeing their game come to fruition. Many of these players have been integral to the success that the Wild have had this season.  The young players combined with the Wild’s veteran core have put the club in a position to contend sometime in the near future.

[See Also: The 2013-2014 Minnesota Wild: How They Were Built]

While it seems the Wild might be turning a corner, it is important to remember the past and the way it shaped the Wild’s present. Here is a look at a season-by-season history of the Wild and how they’ve represented the state of hockey in the NHL since the club began playing in the 2000-2001 season.

A Brief History of the Minnesota Wild

Devils new coach Jacques Lemaire

Inaugural Season: 2000-2001

Head Coach: Jacques Lemaire
General Manager: Doug Risebrough
Season Record: 25-39-13-5
Leading Overall Scorer: Scott Pellerin (39)
Leader in Goals: Marian Gaborik (18)
Leader in Assists: Scott Pellerin (28)
Northwest Division: 5th overall
Playoffs: Did not qualify
2000-01 Upper Deck #229 Marian Gaborik

2000-01 Upper Deck #229 Marian Gaborik

2001-2002 Season

Head Coach: Jacques Lemaire
General Manager: Doug Risebrough
Season Record: 26-35-12-9
Leading Overall Scorer: Andrew Brunette (69)
Leader in Goals: Marian Gaborik (30)
Leader in Assists: Andrew Brunette (48)
Northwest Division: 5th Overall
Playoffs: Did not qualify
2002-03 Be a Player Signature Series Autograph #85 Cliff Ronning

2002-03 Be a Player Signature Series Autograph #85 Cliff Ronning

2002-2003 Season

Head Coach: Jacques Lemaire
General Manager: Doug Risebrough
Season Record: 42-29-10-1
Leading Overall Scorer: Marion Gaborik (65)
Leader in Goals: Marian Gaborik (30)
Leader in Assists: Marian Gaborik (35)
Northwest Division: 3rd Overall
Playoffs: Lost in Western Conference Finals to the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
Could the Wild's league-long sellout streak end this season? (photo from Wikipedia Commons)

Xcel Energy Center (photo from Wikipedia Commons)

2003-2004 Season

Head Coach: Jacques Lemaire
General Manager: Doug Risebrough
Season Record: 30-29-20-3
Leading Overall Scorer: Alexandre Daigle (51)
Leader in Goals: Alexandre Daigle (20)
Leader in Assists: Andrew Brunette (34)
Northwest Division: 5th Overall
Playoffs: Did not qualify

2004-2005 Season (Lockout – Did Not Play)

2008-09 Upper Deck Victory #100 Brian Rolston

2005-2006 Season

Head Coach: Jacques Lemaire
General Manager: Doug Risebrough
Season Record: 38-36-8
Leading Overall Scorer: Brian Rolston (79)
Leader in Goals: Marion Gaborik (38)
Leader in Assists: Brian Rolston (45)
Northwest Division: 5th Overall
Playoffs: Did not qualify

2007-08 Upper Deck #292 Pavol Demitra

2006-2007 Season

Head Coach: Jacques Lemaire
General Manager: Doug Risebrough
Season Record: 48-26-8
Leading Overall Scorer: Brian Rolston & Pavol Demitra (64)
Leader in Goals:Brian Rolston (31)
Leader in Assists: Pavol Demitra (39)
Northwest Division: 2nd Overall
Playoffs: Lost in Conference Quarterfinals to the Anaheim Ducks
(Icon SMI)

(Icon SMI)

2007-2008 Season

Head Coach: Jacques Lemaire
General Manager: Doug Risebrough
Season Record: 44-28-10
Leading Overall Scorer: Marion Gaborik (83)
Leader in Goals: Marion Gaborik (42)
Leader in Assists: Pierre-Marc Bouchard (50)
Northwest Division: 1st Overall
Playoffs: Lost in Western Conference Quarterfinals to the Colorado Avalanche
MikkoKoivu

2008-2009 Season

Head Coach: Jacques Lemaire
General Manager: Doug Risebrough
Season Record: 40-33-9
Leading Overall Scorer: Mikko Koivu (67)
Leader in Goals: Owen Nolan (25)
Leader in Assists: Mikko Koivu (47)
Northwest Division: 3rd Overall
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Todd Richards   Photo Credit: Andy Martin Jr

2009-2010 Season

Head Coach: Todd Richards
General Manager: Chuck Fletcher
Season Record: 38-36-8
Leading Overall Scorer: Mikko Koivu (71)
Leader in Goals: Andrew Brunette (25)
Leader in Assists: Mikko Koivu (49)
Northwest Division: 4th Overall
Playoffs: Did not qualify
2009-10 Upper Deck #437 Martin Havlat

2009-10 Upper Deck #437 Martin Havlat

2010-2011 Season

Head Coach: Todd Richards
General Manager: Chuck Fletcher
Season Record: 39-35-8
Leading Overall Scorer: Martin Havlat & Mikko Koivu (62)
Leader in Goals: Martin Havlat (22)
Leader in Assists: Mikko Koivu (45)
Northwest Division: 3rd Overall
Playoffs: Did not qualify
Dany Heatley Wild

Dany Heatley (Vincent Muzik/Icon SMI)

2011-2012 Season

Head Coach: Mike Yeo
General Manager: Chuck Fletcher
Season Record: 35-36-11
Leading Overall Scorer: Dany Heatley (53)
Leader in Goals: Dany Heatley (24)
Leader in Assists: Mikko Koivu (32)
Northwest Division: 4th Overall
Playoffs: Did not qualify
2012-13 Panini Hockey #255 Sticker Zach Parise

2012-13 Panini Hockey #255 Sticker Zach Parise

2012-2013 Season (Lockout-Shortened Season)

Head Coach: Mike Yeo
General Manager: Chuck Fletcher
Season Record: 26-19-3
Leading Overall Scorer: Zach Parise (38)
Leader in Goals: Zach Parise (18)
Leader in Assists: Ryan Suter (28)
Northwest Division: 2nd Overall
Playoffs: Lost in Western Conference Quarterfinals to the Chicago Blackhawks
#483428601 / gettyimages.com

 2013-2014 Season

Head Coach: Mike Yeo
General Manager: Chuck Fletcher
Season Record: 43-27-12
Leading Overall Scorer: Jason Pominville (60)
Leader in Goals: Jason Pominville (30)
Leader in Assists: Mikko Koivu (43)
Central Division: 4th Overall
Playoffs: Lost in Western Conference Semi-Finals to the Chicago Blackhawks

Check out our partners at TiqIQ for the best deals on Minnesota Wild tickets for all 2013-14 games.

  • Tags
  • Andrew Brunette
  • Marian Gaborik
  • Mikko Koivu
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn WhatsApp

Get theScore App Now!
Recent Posts
Jan 22nd 4:10 PM
Calgary Flames

Flames Rewarded Early by New Top Line of Tkachuk, Lindholm & Dube

Jan 22nd 3:55 PM
NHL Goaltending

Sabres Goaltending Issues Are the Main Concern to Start Season

Jan 22nd 3:10 PM
Chicago Blackhawks

Blackhawks Banter: Would You Rather… Edition

Jan 22nd 2:45 PM
Winnipeg Jets

Jets’ Return for Laine Must Include Top Defenceman

Jan 22nd 2:40 PM
Archives

Tomas Holmstrom’s Subtle Brilliance

Jan 22nd 2:30 PM
Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs’ Keefe Coy About Lines With Matthews & Thornton Out [Video]

Jan 22nd 1:35 PM
St Louis Blues

Blues’ Special Teams Highlight Early Weaknesses

Jan 22nd 1:25 PM
Commentary

NHL’s 2020-21 Baseball-Style Schedule: Could it Work Permanently?

Jan 22nd 1:15 PM
Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins Have 3 Good Trade Targets to Shore Up Their Defense

Jan 22nd 11:37 AM
Archives

50 in 50 for Mike Bossy

Editor’s Picks
2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

2021 NHL Draft Rankings: Baracchini's Top 75 Rankings

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

NHL TV Blackouts & Why They Happen?

Masthead

Newsletters

RSS Feeds

Privacy Statement

Contact Us

About THW…

Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Updated daily with news and features from over 130 writers worldwide. Over 2 million monthly readers now come to THW for their hockey fix.

© The Hockey Writers 2020. All rights reserved.
logo
  • HOME
  • Hockey Headlines
  • NHL Rumors
  • North Division
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Winnipeg Jets
  • East Division
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
  • Central Division
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • Dallas Stars
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Nashville Predators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • West Division
    • Anaheim Ducks
    • Arizona Coyotes
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • Minnesota Wild
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • St Louis Blues
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • World Juniors
  • CHL
    • Ontario Hockey League
    • Quebec Major Junior Hockey League
    • Western Hockey League
  • THW Podcast Network
  • Store
  • FREE Newsletter
  • Search THW
  • More…
    • Join Our Team
    • The THW Archives
    • Prospects
    • The Goalie Page
    • NHL Salary Cap Information