Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/107657
"Like" Minnesota Hockey Journal and follow @mnhockeyjournal WA, 7 MT, 1 OR, 2 OK, that was then and this is now. Well, sort of now. Let's say a not-so-distant now. While the AC is honored with an exhibit on the X's upper concourse (Sec. 222), the major league North Stars and their World Hockey Association brethren, the Fighting Saints, are now honored with wall murals on the lower concourse (Sec. 109/110). There you'll see images of game action from both teams, a brief history of each, and a list of Minnesota natives who played for the respective teams. The North Stars' 26-year run (1967-1993) in the State of Hockey was highlighted by trips to the Stanley Cup Final in 1981 against the New York Islanders and in 1991 vs. the Pittsburgh Penguins. In their five-year history, the Fighting Saints (1972-77) never had a losing season and advanced to the second round of the playoffs in their second and third campaigns. So when you're asked how many major league teams we've had in Minnesota, the answer is three? No! Trick question, four. Let's not forget the X's current residents, the Minnesota Wild! — Roger Godin, Curator, Minnesota Wild ND, 7 NH, 12 WY, 1 IA, 4 NE, 4 UT, 1 PA, 69 IL, 67 CO, 35 KS, 1 IN, 4 OK, 3 NJ, 41 D.C., 1 OH, 31 MO, 23 VA, 7 KY, 1 AZ, 14 MA, 102 RI, 9 CT, 32 NY, 86 MI, 131 MD, 9 NC, 2 TN, 2 0 AL, 1 AK, 27 GA, 8 1-3 TX, 10 4-9 10-24 FL, 17 25-74 75+ Where Men's NCAA Ice Hockey Players Come From College Hockey Hotbed In dominating fashion, Minnesota leads the charge once again in producing NCAA Division-I hockey players. The State of Hockey boasts a nation-best 181 men and 131 women lacing up the skates this season. In both WCHA conferences, more than 30 percent of all players are Minnesotans. Minnesota again delivers the most men's college hockey players in 2012-13. Coming Up Feb. 17: Hockey City Classic at Soldier Field (Chicago) Gophers vs. Badgers Feb. 20-23: MSHSL girls' state tournament at Xcel Energy Center Hometown Hobeys? Twenty-two games into the season, two local boys found themselves at the top of the NCAA scoring race. University of Nebraska Omaha's Ryan Walters (Rosemount) led the nation with 33 points (13g, 20a) and St. Cloud State's Drew LeBlanc (Hermantown) was close behind with 30 points (4g, 26a). Photo: Brace hemmelgarn WI, 36 SD, 2 NV, 4 CA, 61 ME, 11 VT, 7 MN, 181 ID, 1 March 1-3: Minnesota Hockey regional tournaments Mar. 1-3: WCHA women's playoffs Mar. 6-9: MSHSL boys' state tournament at Xcel Energy Center Gophers take on the Badgers Feb. 17 at Soldier Field. After suffering a season-ending leg injury last year, Drew LeBlanc leads the Huskies this season in points. February.2013 // minnesotahockeyjournal.com 07