On March 11, 1965, NHL PresidentClarence 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. In response to Campbell's announcement, a partnership of nine men, led by Walter Bush and John Driscoll, was formed to seek a franchise for the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Their efforts were successful as the NHL awarded one of six expansion franchises to Minnesota on February 9, 1966. In addition to Minnesota, the five other franchises were California, 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". 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, the 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. Spectator seats were in the process of being installed as fans arrived at the arena for the opening home game on October 21, 1967.
On January 13, 1968, four minutes into a game against the Seals at the Met Center, North Stars center Bill Masterton was checked by Oakland's Larry Cahan and Ron Harris and fell backwards onto the ice head-first. The force of the back of his head hitting the ice damaged the pons and caused severe hemorrhaging, as blood gushed from his mouth and nose. Masterton was taken to hospital where he died two days later, becoming the only player ever to die as a result of an on-ice injury.
Final standings
Record vs. opponents
Schedule and results
Playoffs
In the first round of the Western Division playoffs, the North Stars defeated the Los Angeles Kings in seven games. The second round of the playoff series would be played against the St. Louis Blues and that series would go to seven games as well. The Blues would win the seventh game and advance to face the Montreal Canadiens in the 1968 Stanley Cup Finals.
Roster
Player statistics
Forwards
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
Player
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
Wayne Connelly
74
35
21
56
40
Ray Cullen
67
28
25
53
18
Andre Boudrias
74
18
35
53
42
Dave Balon
73
15
32
47
84
Parker MacDonald
69
19
23
42
22
Bill Goldsworthy
68
14
19
33
68
J. P. Parise
43
11
16
27
27
Bill Collins
71
9
11
20
41
Milan Marcetta
36
4
13
17
6
Bill Masterton
38
4
8
12
4
Bob McCord
70
3
9
12
39
Sandy Fitzpatrick
18
3
6
9
6
Ted Taylor
31
3
5
8
34
Bronco Horvath
14
1
6
7
4
Duke Harris
22
1
4
5
4
Murray Hall
17
2
1
3
10
Ted McCaskill
4
0
2
2
0
Defencemen
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
Player
GP
G
A
Pts
PIM
Mike McMahon
74
14
33
47
71
Bob Woytowich
66
4
17
21
63
Elmer Vasko
70
1
6
7
45
Pete Goegan
46
1
2
3
30
Bill Plager
32
0
2
2
30
Lou Nanne
2
0
1
1
0
Jean-Guy Talbot
4
0
0
0
4
Marshall Johnston
7
0
0
0
0
Don Johns
4
0
0
0
6
Goaltending
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average
