1968–69 Minnesota North Stars season



The 1968–69 Minnesota North Stars season was the team's 2nd season in the National Hockey League (NHL). The North Stars finished last in the West Division and did not qualify for the playoffs.

Regular Season
The North Stars wore the same jersey design as in the 1967-68 season except that shoulder yokes were added to the green home jersey.

Joey Johnston played his first NHL game on November 2, 1968 as the North Stars defeated the St. Louis Blues 2-0, their only shutout of the season. Gary Dineen played the first game of his 4 game NHL career on December 4, 1968 as Minnesota lost 4-2 to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Mike Chernoff played his only NHL game during the 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on December 15, 1968.

Despite making several excellent trades for forwards Danny Grant and Claude Larose in the off-season, Minnesota's offensive output was basically the same as the previous season. However, the Stars defense suffered with the trade of Bob Woytowich and gave up 44 more goals than in 1967-68. Still, the team was in contention for a playoff spot until a disastrous 14-game winless streak from December 22, 1968 until finally beating the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 23, 1969. Lou Nanne was called up for the Christmas Day game versus St. Louis, became a regular and played the rest of his ten-year career for the North Stars.

The acquisition of Leo Boivin on January 24, 1968 stabilized the defense. Because of a disappointing lack of offensive from the blueline, Mike McMahon, who scored 14 goals the previous season but had none in 1968-69, was traded along with Andre Boudrias for Tom Reid. Boudrias had also experienced a sharp drop in goal scoring from the Stars' inaugural year when he finished fourth on the team. Reid became a defensive stalwart for the next ten seasons.

The Stars climbed back into playoff contention by the end of February but the trade of Wayne Connelly (who had led the Stars in scoring the previous year) for Danny Lawson on February 16, 1969 changed the team's success and they only won twice in March. Lawson scored 3 goals and never panned out in the NHL (though he had a successful career in the WHA). Minnesota was relegated to last place in the West Division and the league.

Danny Grant led the team with 34 goals (9th in the league), 65 points and was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as rookie of the year. Goalie Cesare Maniago garnered all the team's 18 wins.

Playoffs

 * The North Stars did not qualify for the post season.

Forwards
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Defencemen
Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Goaltending
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

Awards and Records

 * Calder Memorial Trophy: Danny Grant

Farm Teams

 * Memphis South Stars, CHL

Trivia

 * North Stars who recorded a Hat trick this season include:
 * Danny Grant during the 6-4 win over the Detroit Red Wings on November 9, 1968.
 * Danny Grant during the 7-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 23, 1969.