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Minnesota Fighting Saints
Minnesota Fighting Saints
Minnesota Fighting Saints
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The Minnesota Fighting Saints was the name of two professional ice hockey teams based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, that played in the World Hockey Association. The first team was one of the WHA's original twelve franchises, playing from 1972 to 1976. The second team was relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, and played for part of the 1976–77 season. Neither edition of the franchise completed its final season of play.

Key Information

Original team

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The team was founded in November 1971. Originally to be named the St. Paul Fighting Saints, the team soon went with "Minnesota Fighting Saints".[1] The first Fighting Saints team played four seasons beginning in 1972–73 under the ownership of nine local businessmen. St. Paul attorney Wayne Belisle purchased the team late in the 1973–74 season. Belisle was the front man for a group of owners that included Jock Irvine. The Saints' first game, a 4–3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, was played October 13, 1972, at the St. Paul Auditorium. The team moved to the new St. Paul Civic Center, which opened in January 1973. The first game in the new arena was on January 1, 1973, a 4–4 overtime tie with the Houston Aeros.

The team colors were royal blue, white and new gold. The name was taken from the St. Paul Saints of the Central Hockey League, who had used the nickname "Fighting Saints" in promotional material.

The team originally had three sets of jerseys—white, blue and gold—all bearing the Saints "S" logo on the front, with the word "Saints" across the middle of the "S." (The gold jerseys were rarely used, and were worn only in the first season.) When the Saints left the St. Paul Auditorium for the new Civic Center on January 1, 1973, the familiar "little saint" logo replaced the "S" on the white and blue jerseys. While a halo was part of the team's "little saint" logo in promotions and advertising, it was never used on the jersey.

At the outset, the Saints had a policy of favoring local players, with the 1972–73 roster featuring no fewer than 11 athletes who were either born in Minnesota or were at least American citizens (as in the case of former Team USA players Keith Christiansen, George Konik and Carl Wetzel). This was almost unheard of in the early 1970s, when few NHL or WHA teams had even a single American player. In fact, one of the players the Saints selected in the inaugural WHA draft in 1972 was Wendell Anderson, a former star defenseman at the University of Minnesota and a member of the silver medal-winning Team USA squad at the 1956 Winter Olympics. Anderson said he was flattered, but he chose not to join the Saints and instead stuck to his day job—as Governor of Minnesota.

The Saints never missed the playoffs nor had a losing record. Perhaps even more impressively, given that they were in direct competition with the Minnesota North Stars of the established National Hockey League, the Fighting Saints always drew more fans than the WHA average.[a] On a few occasions, the Fighting Saints drew more fans than their local NHL rivals. They also boasted a handful of expensive marquee players such as Mike Walton, Dave Keon and John McKenzie. Eventually, it was the team's high payroll that largely contributed to its demise. Without a marketable star in Gordie Howe or Bobby Hull's mold, the Saints were unable to secure a lucrative television deal. As a result, even above-WHA average gate receipts were not enough to overcome the team's financial woes.

In 1975–76, the Saints had a record of 30–25–4 and were second in the West behind the Houston Aeros when they ceased operations because of financial struggles. Saints officials announced on December 31, 1975, that the team was broke, and the players would continue to play without pay. (Belisle's group withdrew its backing at the start of the season.) A permanent buyer was never found, and the players received one paycheck in the final two months.

The Fighting Saints' last game was played February 25, 1976, at the Civic Center, a 2–1 overtime loss to the San Diego Mariners in front of an announced crowd of 6,011. The decision to fold the franchise occurred February 28, 1976, in the lobby of the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, moments before the team was scheduled to board a flight to Cincinnati for a game that night.

Second team

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The second incarnation's logo (identical to the first, only with the original blue changed to red), from the 1976–77 season.

After the NHL's California Golden Seals moved to Cleveland to become the Cleveland Barons, the WHA's Cleveland Crusaders moved to St. Paul for the 1976–77 season. Mileti stated to the press on the move to Minnesota that the team was financially stable while planning to build a first-rate organization and also considering letting local supporters invest in the team.[2] Like their predecessors, this second version of the Saints (called the "New Fighting Saints" in advertising and promotional material) had a winning record through their first 42 games (19–18–5), but owner Nick Mileti was unable to sell the team to local buyers. (Also, the new Saints weren't drawing as well as the old ones: just 6,211 a night, versus the league average of 7,675.)

The "New" Fighting Saints played their final game on January 14, 1977, a 9–5 home win over the Indianapolis Racers. The franchise officially folded on January 20, 1977. The team's logo and uniforms were identical to the previous incarnation but with scarlet replacing royal blue.

Players

[edit]
1974-75 card of Wayne Connelly for Minnesota
1974-75 card of Mike Walton for Minnesota
Main article: List of Minnesota Fighting Saints players

Ted Hampson was the Saints' captain in their first four seasons. In the final season, Ron Ward was the team captain, replaced on December 28, 1976, by John Arbour.

Among the Saints' notable players were Wayne Connelly (the team's career scoring leader with 283 points in 291 games), Mike Walton, Mike Antonovich (the team's career games leader with 309), Hockey Hall of Famer Dave Keon, John McKenzie and Rick Smith, and goalies Mike Curran and John Garrett. Also on the Minnesota roster were Jeff Carlson, Steve Carlson, and David Hanson, who played the infamous Hanson Brothers in the 1977 cult movie Slap Shot. (The trio weren't the Saints' only connection to the film: in the 1974 WHA semifinals against Houston, controversial forward Bill "Goldie" Goldthorpe played three games for the Fighting Saints, compiling no points and 25 penalty minutes; Slap Shot featured a wild player named Ogie Oglethorpe, based on Goldthorpe.) Veteran NHL coach Bruce Boudreau made his professional debut with the Saints, playing 30 games in the 1975–76 season and scoring three goals and six assists.

The last active Fighting Saints player in major professional hockey was Jack Carlson, who retired after the 1986–87 NHL season with the North Stars (Carlson was also invited to be in Slap Shot, but had to decline as his team was in the playoffs, so his role was recast). The last Saint regularly playing in pro hockey was Bruce Boudreau, who played in the American Hockey League until 1992. (In 1996, Mike Antonovich came out of retirement as a player-coach, playing a few games in the United Hockey League.)

Executives and staff

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Glen Sonmor was the Saints general manager throughout their history. Sonmor coached the Saints for the first part of their inaugural season. When Sonmor gave up his coaching duties, assistant coach Harry Neale took over as head coach (his first game was February 17, 1973).[3] Sonmor coached the Saints again during their final season, 1976–77. Neale became head coach of the New England Whalers after the original Saints folded in 1976, and later coached the Vancouver Canucks in the National Hockey League.[4][5]

The Saints' public address announcers included Al Tighe (1973–74) and Rod Trongard (1974–1977). Team organists included Rob Meads (1973–1976) and Ronnie Newman (1976–77). Jim Bowers often sang the National Anthem.[citation needed] George Nagobads was the team's physician from 1973 to 1976.[6]

Season-by-season record

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Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes

Season GP W L T Pts GF GA PIM Finish Playoffs
1972–73 78 38 37 3 79 250 269 1134 4th, Western Lost Quarterfinals (Jets)
1973–74 78 44 32 2 90 332 275 1243 2nd, Western Won Quarterfinals (Oilers)
Lost Semifinals (Aeros)
1974–75 78 42 33 3 87 308 279 1233 3rd, Western Won Quarterfinals (Whalers)
Lost Semifinals (Nordiques)
1975–76 59 30 25 4 64 211 212 1354 DNF Did not finish season
Totals 293 154 127 12 320 1101 1035 4964
1976–77 42 19 18 5 43 136 129 600 DNF Did not finish season
Totals 42 19 18 5 43 136 129 600

Media coverage

[edit]

Games of the original Fighting Saints were heard on WLOL Radio (1330 AM) from 1972 to 1976, with Frank Buetel as play-by-play announcer. Buetel was the original TV voice of the NHL's Minnesota North Stars from 1967 to 1970 on WTCN-TV (now KARE-TV). Buetel's color commentators included Roger Buxton (1972–73) and Bob Halvorson, the Saints' first-season public relations director (1972–73), and Bill Allard (1973–1976). Al Hirt's version of "When the Saints Go Marching In" was used as the theme song for WLOL's Fighting Saints broadcasts. No local radio station carried games of the New Fighting Saints (1976–77).

Fighting Saints games were televised sporadically on WTCN from 1973 to 1975. The first WTCN game was a home contest versus Cleveland on December 23, 1973, with Buetel and Allard simulcasting. Buxton called subsequent games on WTCN.

On January 7, 1973, CBS aired its first WHA game between the Fighting Saints and Winnipeg Jets live from the new St. Paul Civic Center with Ron Oakes, Gerry Cheevers and Dick Stockton announcing. In the 1973–74 season, one Saints home game was carried on KTCA-TV (PBS). No local TV station aired games of the New Fighting Saints.

The main sponsors of the Fighting Saints on radio and TV were Schmidt Beer and Midwest Federal.

Sportswriters who covered the Fighting Saints were Charley Hallman of the St. Paul Pioneer Press-Dispatch, John Gilbert of the Minneapolis Tribune,[citation needed] and Dan Stoneking of the Minneapolis Star.[7]

Notes

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Minnesota Fighting Saints

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from Grokipedia
The Minnesota Fighting Saints were a team based in , that competed in the (WHA) during the league's early years. The franchise existed in two iterations: the original team, one of the WHA's founding franchises, operated from 1972 to 1976 before folding mid-season due to financial difficulties, and a second team, relocated from Cleveland, Ohio, played from 1976 until its collapse in January 1977 after failing to secure local ownership. The first Fighting Saints emphasized local talent, with 13 of their initial 26 players hailing from , and played home games at the St. Paul Auditorium in their inaugural 1972–73 season before moving to the newly opened St. Paul Civic Center in 1973. Over four seasons, the team compiled a regular-season record of 154–127–12, achieving a .546 and qualifying for the in their first three seasons, with their strongest performance in 1973–74 when they finished second in the WHA's Western Division with a 44–32–2 mark and advanced to the Avco World Trophy semifinals. The second iteration managed a 19–18–5 record in 42 games before disbanding, hampered by ongoing economic challenges in the unstable WHA. Notable figures included general manager and part-time coach Glen Sonmor, who prioritized American players, and stars such as forward , who led the team in scoring during its best season, and goaltender Mike Curran, a local standout who later contributed to historical accounts of the franchise. The team's aggressive style and incidents, including on-ice brawls involving thrown objects, inspired elements of the 1977 film , underscoring its rough-and-tumble reputation. Despite never winning a WHA championship, the Fighting Saints' brief tenure highlighted the competitive fervor of professional hockey in the during an era when the city supported two pro teams alongside the NHL's , leaving a legacy preserved in books like A Slap Shot In Time.

History

Origins and Formation

The Minnesota Fighting Saints were founded on November 1, 1971, as one of the original 12 franchises in the newly established (WHA), a professional ice hockey league aimed at challenging the National Hockey League's (NHL) monopoly by expanding competition and player opportunities in the early 1970s. The team was organized under Midwest Saints Inc., with initial ownership held by a group of nine local businessmen led by real estate developer Lou Kaplan, a former hockey player and frustrated fan of the NHL's . Kaplan, along with partners James Adams and Joseph Lein, spearheaded the effort after becoming disillusioned with the North Stars' style of play, famously stating in 1971 that he was "tired of them just throwing the puck into the corner and scrambling around after it." This local investment reflected the WHA's broader strategy to build grassroots support in markets already familiar with hockey, positioning the league as a dynamic alternative to the established NHL. The team's name drew inspiration from the storied history of St. Paul hockey, specifically honoring the of the International Hockey League (IHL), who played from 1959 to 1963 and were informally nicknamed the "Fighting Saints" in promotional materials for their aggressive, hard-nosed play. This nod to local tradition helped foster a sense of regional identity in St. Paul, the state capital and a hockey hotbed across the from . For its home venue, the franchise initially selected the aging St. Paul Auditorium, a 1932-opened facility with a capacity of around 6,000, before transitioning to the modern St. Paul Civic Center upon its completion in 1973, which offered seating for 15,705 fans and symbolized the team's commitment to professional-grade infrastructure. The ownership structure emphasized community involvement, with the nine investors pooling resources to secure the franchise fee and operational funding amid the WHA's ambitious launch. Securing entry into the WHA proved challenging for the group, as already hosted the NHL's North Stars, who had joined the league in its 1967 expansion and played at the Metropolitan Sports Center in Bloomington. The North Stars' presence created territorial competition, with the established NHL team drawing significantly larger crowds—averaging 11,539 fans per game in the 1972-73 season compared to the Saints' debut average of 5,862—highlighting the difficulty of splitting the local fanbase and talent pool. Despite these hurdles, the WHA's expansion vision, which sought to rival the NHL by introducing innovative rules, higher salaries, and access to untapped markets, enabled the Saints' formation as a direct counterpoint in the hockey landscape. This rivalry underscored the leagues' early 1970s battle for supremacy, ultimately paving the way for the Saints' inaugural season in 1972-73.

Original Incarnation (1972–1976)

The Minnesota Fighting Saints launched their inaugural season on October 13, 1972, opening with a 4–3 loss to the at the St. Paul Auditorium before moving to the newly constructed St. Paul Civic Center in January 1973. The team, backed by an ownership group of nine local businessmen, quickly established itself as a competitive force in the league's Western Division. In their debut 1972–73 campaign, the Saints compiled a 38–37–3 record, securing a playoff berth and demonstrating resilience despite the challenges of competing against the established NHL's for fan loyalty in the market. The Saints' on-ice success peaked in the 1973–74 season, where they advanced to the Avco Cup division finals after defeating the in the semifinals, only to fall to the Houston Aeros in six games. This run highlighted the team's aggressive style and contributions from players like Norm Gratton, who helped drive their offensive output. Off the ice, the franchise benefited from strong , including support from businesses that aided in sponsorships and operations, while fostering a with the North Stars that occasionally saw the Saints outdraw their NHL counterparts at the gate. Attendance grew steadily, averaging over 7,000 fans per game in later seasons as the team's exciting play captured enthusiasm. The WHA's aggressive recruitment also led to disputes with the NHL over player contracts, exemplified by the 1972 federal court case involving forward Ted Hampson, whose signing with the Saints conflicted with his existing NHL obligations assigned to the . Ownership instability plagued the franchise from the outset, with the original group selling the team in 1974 to St. Paul attorney Wayne Belisle amid mounting financial pressures from high player salaries and league-wide economic strains. Efforts to secure new buyers faltered repeatedly, exacerbating issues; by December 1975, the team missed a $140,000 , prompting players to continue without pay in a show of solidarity. These challenges culminated in the Saints' abrupt folding on February 28, , after 59 games with a 30–25–4 record, leaving the WHA to disperse their players and ending the original franchise's run despite its on-ice promise.

Relocation and Second Incarnation (1976–1977)

In the summer of 1976, the Cleveland Crusaders of the World Hockey Association relocated to St. Paul, Minnesota, primarily due to financial difficulties exacerbated by the arrival of the NHL's Cleveland Barons, which made competing for fans in the shared Coliseum untenable for owner Nick Mileti. The WHA approved the move on August 9, 1976, and the franchise was rebranded as the second incarnation of the Minnesota Fighting Saints, retaining much of the Crusaders' roster including players like Dave Keon and John McKenzie while adopting a scarlet-and-gold color scheme to distinguish it from the original team's blue design. Under Mileti's continued ownership, the team aimed to capitalize on Minnesota's established hockey market, but the presence of the NHL's Minnesota North Stars created immediate competition for spectators at the St. Paul Civic Center. The 1976–77 Fighting Saints played 42 games, compiling a 19–18–5 record for 43 points and sitting sixth in the WHA's Eastern Division at the time of suspension, a that showed competitive promise on the ice despite inheriting talent from both the Crusaders and remnants of the original Saints. However, severe operational challenges plagued the franchise from the outset, including chronically low —averaging around 5,800 fans per home game, far below viability thresholds amid the North Stars' draw—and repeated player payment disputes, with payrolls frequently delayed or missed due to cash shortages. These issues were compounded by broader WHA instability, as the league grappled with widespread financial woes, multiple franchise relocations, and uncertain survival against the NHL, creating an environment of constant uncertainty for teams like the Saints. The team's final game occurred on January 15, 1977, a 9–5 home victory over the , after which operations were suspended that same day amid inability to meet the latest and a failure to sell sufficient season tickets (only 2,200 of a targeted 4,000). To generate immediate funds, the franchise sold seven key players—including Keon, McKenzie, and the Carlson brothers—to the , followed by three more to the Birmingham Bulls, though some transactions faced contract disputes from the players. Efforts to salvage the team through potential mergers with other WHA franchises, further relocations, or new local ownership faltered, as no viable buyers emerged by the league's January 20 deadline; the WHA ultimately dropped the Saints on January 21, 1977, marking the second Minnesota-based franchise collapse in under a year and redistributing remaining players as free agents.

Foldings and Aftermath

The original Minnesota Fighting Saints franchise collapsed on February 28, , amid escalating financial woes that included an estimated $1.5 million in debts and overdue obligations, exacerbated by the inability to secure new ownership or additional funding. The team had endured three consecutive missed payrolls over two months, prompting players to vote against traveling for a scheduled game in , which led the (WHA) to suspend operations indefinitely. Efforts to revive the club through potential expansion-related fees or investor buyouts failed, marking it as the second WHA team to fold that season and highlighting the league's precarious economics. The second incarnation of the Fighting Saints, formed by relocating the Cleveland Crusaders in August 1976 due to ownership sales disputes involving principal owner Nick Mileti, lasted only half the 1976–77 season before succumbing to similar financial pressures. Operations were suspended on January 15, 1977, after failing to meet payroll, with the WHA officially dropping the franchise six days later amid ongoing contraction efforts and unresolved ownership instability. This folding represented the second Minnesota-based WHA team to dissolve within a year, further straining league resources. In the immediate aftermath, the WHA conducted player auctions and a to redistribute talent from both folded franchises. For the original team, a held on March 9, 1976, allocated players to remaining WHA clubs, while several, including forward Mike Antonovich, signed with NHL teams such as the . The 1977 folding similarly resulted in a player sale, with assets auctioned to other WHA teams, enabling many athletes to transition to NHL rosters, including the , amid the leagues' intensifying competition for talent. Legal repercussions followed both collapses, primarily involving disputes over unpaid salaries and operational debts. Players from the 1976 team pursued claims for back pay after months without compensation, contributing to broader creditor actions against the franchise. Arena lease issues at the St. Paul Civic Center also surfaced, with unpaid obligations complicating the venue's use by future teams and underscoring the franchises' operational failures. These successive foldings amplified the WHA's chronic instability, reducing the league from 14 teams in 1975–76 to eight by 1977–78 and accelerating contraction that paved the way for the 1979 NHL merger. The events in exemplified the WHA's unsustainable model, where competitive success on the ice could not offset mounting financial losses across multiple markets.

Team Personnel

Notable Players

Mike Walton emerged as one of the Minnesota Fighting Saints' premier forwards during their original incarnation, playing three seasons from 1973 to 1976 and recording 136 goals and 145 assists for 281 points in 211 regular-season games. In the 1974–75 playoffs, Walton served as a postseason standout, contributing 10 goals and 17 points in 12 games to help the Saints advance to the Avco World Trophy semifinals. After the team's folding in 1976, Walton transitioned to the NHL, signing with the and later the , where he added to his professional legacy before retiring in 1980. Wayne Connelly stands as the Fighting Saints' all-time leading scorer, amassing 283 points in 291 across the team's seasons, including a team-high 70 points (40 goals and 30 assists) in 78 in 1972–73. Known for his consistent offensive production from the right wing, Connelly's tenure highlighted the Saints' early competitiveness in the WHA. Following the 1976 folding, he briefly played in the before retiring, later pursuing business ventures outside hockey. Mike Antonovich holds the franchise record for most games played with 309 over five seasons (1972–77), serving as a reliable and accumulating 202 points (98 goals and 104 assists) while earning a reputation for his two-way play. After the Saints' demise, Antonovich joined the NHL's in the 1978 merger, appearing in 41 games across two seasons and contributing to the organization's transition from the WHA era. Dave Keon, a Hall of Famer from his days, brought star power to the Saints in 1975–76, scoring 26 goals and 38 assists for 64 points in 57 games before being traded. His arrival underscored the Saints' strategy of signing high-profile NHL talent amid financial struggles. Post-Saints, Keon continued in the WHA with the New England Whalers before a brief NHL return with the Hartford Whalers after the 1979 merger. John Garrett anchored the Saints' net as their primary from 1973 to 1976, posting a 3.28 goals-against average in the 1974–75 season and earning 23 wins the following year amid the team's playoff pushes. Known for his durability in a high-scoring WHA era, Garrett's performance helped stabilize the defense during turbulent times. After the folding, he played briefly in the NHL with the and , then transitioned to broadcasting, becoming a longtime analyst for . The Fighting Saints also featured local talent such as goaltender Mike Curran, who played 142 games for the original team from 1972 to 1976, posting a 3.61 goals-against average and 57 wins while serving as a key contributor to the franchise's playoff success; Curran later co-authored historical accounts of the team. High-profile NHL signings like Danny Lewicki added veteran presence in the team's early years, with the 1950s winner joining amid contract disputes that highlighted WHA poaching tactics. Goaltender Gary Smith provided key starts in 1973–74, his steady play earning a selection to Team Canada for the while with the Saints. Player transitions after the foldings were significant, with several Saints bolstering NHL rosters through the merger. Norm Gratton, a prolific WHA scorer with 402 points over four seasons including stints tied to the Saints' draft , exemplified the league's talent pipeline, later influencing NHL rosters through the merger.

Coaches and Executives

The Minnesota Fighting Saints' leadership during their original incarnation from 1972 to 1976 was anchored by general manager Glen Sonmor, who served throughout the franchise's first run and played a pivotal role in operational stability and player acquisition strategies. Sonmor, a former NHL player and coach, emphasized building a competitive roster through targeted signings of experienced talent, contributing to the team's four consecutive playoff appearances. Head coaching duties for the original team began with Sonmor himself in the 1972-73 season, where he guided the squad to a 28-28-3 regular season record before transitioning to a full-time GM role midway through the year due to health issues. Harry Neale then took over as head coach from 1973 to 1976, compiling a 124-98-9 record and focusing on a balanced offensive-defensive system that led the Saints to the 1975 Avco World Trophy semifinals. Assistant coach Jack McCartan briefly served as interim head coach during the 1974-75 season for 1 game, posting a 0-1-0 mark, while supporting Neale's strategies amid roster transitions. Executives such as Lou Kaplan, who acted as an early team president, and John Finley, a key investor and former president, were instrumental in financial management efforts, including local fundraising and community outreach programs to boost attendance and sponsorships in the Twin Cities market. Ownership for the original Saints was held by a syndicate of nine local Minnesota businessmen, including Wayne Belisle, who assumed majority control in 1974 and invested approximately $5 million to sustain operations despite mounting losses from low attendance and competition with the NHL's . Belisle's group prioritized cost-control measures, such as shared arena use at the St. Paul Civic Center, and community relations initiatives like youth hockey clinics to foster fan loyalty. However, persistent financial instability, with annual deficits exceeding $1 million by 1976, forced the franchise to fold after the 1975-76 season. The second incarnation of the Fighting Saints in 1976-77 emerged from the relocation of the Cleveland Crusaders franchise by owner Nick Mileti, who rebranded the team in St. Paul to capitalize on local hockey enthusiasm. Mileti, a Cleveland sports magnate, retained much of the Crusaders' but appointed Sonmor as for the season, where he led a 19-18-5 campaign focused on veteran leadership and defensive solidity to contend in the WHA's Eastern Division. A supporting ownership group, including Minnesota businessman Robert L. Ulland, John Finley, and Frank Marzitelli, handled day-to-day operations and attempted financial stabilization through ticket promotions and corporate partnerships, though attendance averaged under 3,500 per game. Sonmor's dual role in coaching and advisory capacities extended his influence on community engagement, including media appearances to promote the team's revival, but escalating debts led to the franchise's suspension in January 1977.

Performance Records

Regular Season Results

The Minnesota Fighting Saints experienced varied success during their original four seasons in the (WHA), compiling an overall record of 154-127-12 across 293 games, with consistent playoff qualifications in their first three full campaigns. The team's performance peaked in 1973–74 with a league-best offensive output, but financial difficulties led to incomplete schedules in their final two years. The second incarnation, formed after a relocation, struggled in a partial season before folding midway through 1976–77.
SeasonTeamGPWLTPtsFinishGFGA
1972–73Original7838373794th West250269
1973–74Original7844322902nd West332267
1974–75Original7842333873rd West308279
1975–76Original5930254644th West211212
1976–77Second4219185436th East136129
In their inaugural 1972–73 season, the Fighting Saints posted a near-even record, finishing just outside the top half of the Western Division amid the WHA's early competitive parity among expansion teams. The following year marked their strongest performance, with 44 wins and a league-leading 332 goals for, driven by a balanced attack that propelled them to second place in the division. By 1974–75, the team maintained competitiveness with 42 victories and the division's third-highest point total, though defensive lapses allowed 279 goals against. The 1975–76 campaign showed promise at 30–25–4 through 59 games, placing them fourth in the West, but operations ceased on February 28 due to ownership insolvency, preventing a full schedule and playoff berth. The relocated second Fighting Saints entered the 1976–77 season in the Eastern Division but managed only a middling 19–18–5 record over 42 games, hampered by roster instability and finishing last in their division before suspending operations in January 1977 over financial woes. Overall trends reflected the WHA's fluid talent pool and divisional realignments, with the original team's winning percentage improving from .506 to .577 before stabilizing around .550, underscoring their status as a mid-tier contender in a league marked by close standings. Attendance for the original incarnation trended upward initially, reflecting growing fan interest in St. Paul's professional hockey scene, before declining amid broader WHA economic pressures. The team averaged 5,855 fans per home game in 1972–73, rising to 6,584 in 1973–74 and peaking at 8,410 in 1974–75 with over 327,000 total attendees across 39 home dates. The incomplete 1975–76 season still drew a strong 8,396 average over 29 games, totaling 243,488 fans. In contrast, the second team's partial 1976–77 campaign saw diminished support, averaging 6,211 over 25 home games for 155,280 total, contributing to its early demise.

Playoff Appearances and Results

The original Minnesota Fighting Saints qualified for the in each of their first three seasons, demonstrating strong regular-season performances that positioned them as consistent contenders in the WHA's Western Division. In the 1972–73 , the Saints secured the fourth and final playoff spot in the West by defeating the Alberta Oilers 4–3 in a one-game on at the St. Paul Civic Center. They then faced the top-seeded in the division semifinals, where they won one game but lost the series 1–4. The 1973–74 postseason saw the Saints advance past the third-seeded with a 4–1 series victory in the division semifinals, highlighted by strong home wins including an 8–5 triumph in Game 2. In the division finals, they challenged the defending champion Aeros in a hard-fought series marked by physical play and high stakes, taking an early overtime win in Game 1 (5–4) before falling 2–4 overall; this matchup intensified the growing rivalry between the two teams. During the 1974–75 playoffs, the Saints upset the Eastern Division's New England Whalers 4–2 in the quarterfinals, a series remembered for its intensity and a notorious brawl in Game 1 on April 11 at the Hartford Civic Center—dubbed the "Brawl at the Mall"—which resulted in a WHA single-game record of 232 penalty minutes and multiple ejections. They advanced to the semifinals but were eliminated by the Quebec Nordiques 2–4, ending their deepest playoff run. The Saints' incomplete 1975–76 season ended without a playoff berth when the franchise folded in February 1976 amid financial difficulties. Similarly, the relocated second incarnation in 1976–77 finished sixth in the Eastern Division and did not qualify for the postseason before disbanding in January 1977. Across their three playoff appearances, the Fighting Saints posted a 14–15 record, falling short of an Avco World Trophy but establishing themselves as a formidable presence in the WHA through competitive series and rivalries that boosted league visibility.

Legacy and Media

Cultural Impact and Legacy

The Minnesota Fighting Saints played a pivotal role in popularizing professional hockey in St. Paul during the , drawing significant crowds to the St. Paul Civic Center and Auditorium with average attendances peaking at around 8,400 fans per game in the 1974-75 . By featuring a roster heavy with American-born players, including many from , the team emphasized local talent and helped cultivate a distinct hockey culture in the city, often referred to as the "State of Hockey." This effort challenged the dominance of the NHL's , based in nearby Bloomington, creating a competitive two-team market that boosted overall interest in the sport across the region despite occasional attendance dips for the established NHL franchise. The Fighting Saints' identity and success inspired subsequent hockey teams in the area, reviving the "Saints" moniker in . Their name paid homage to the earlier of the International Hockey League (1959-1963), who were informally known as the Fighting Saints, and this legacy continued with teams like the 1992-93 St. Paul Fighting Saints of the American Hockey Association. Additionally, junior-level programs such as the St. Paul Jr. Saints drew from this tradition, perpetuating the nickname in youth and amateur hockey circuits throughout . In the community, the Fighting Saints fostered enduring local pride by transforming St. Paul into a recognized hockey hub, with their energetic play and fan engagement leaving a lasting imprint on the city's sports identity. This pride persists today through events like Minnesota Fighting Saints Night at , hosted by the baseball team on September 9, 2025, which celebrated the hockey franchise's history with special promotions and tributes sponsored by Undeniably Dairy. Such commemorations highlight how the team boosted civic enthusiasm for hockey, influencing generations of fans and players in the region. The Fighting Saints contributed to the broader growth of professional hockey through their role in the (WHA), whose 1979 merger with the NHL integrated four WHA teams and dispersed talent league-wide, expanding the sport's reach and competitiveness. Alumni such as goaltender Gilles Gratton, who transitioned from the Saints to the post-merger, exemplified how WHA players bolstered NHL rosters and helped elevate the professional game's overall quality and popularity in . Recent recognitions underscore the team's enduring legacy, including the 2022 book A in Time: The Wild but True History of the Minnesota Fighting Saints by Dan Whenesota, which chronicles their innovative contributions to the sport. Additionally, a 2024 documentary-style video by Vintage Minnesota Hockey detailed their history, featuring interviews with former players and highlighting their cultural significance.

Media Coverage and Documentation

The Minnesota Fighting Saints received local broadcast coverage primarily through radio and television outlets in the during their original run from 1972 to 1976. Games were aired on WLOL Radio (1330 AM), with Frank Buetel serving as the play-by-play announcer and color commentary provided by Roger Buxton, Bill Allard, and Bob Halvorson. Television broadcasts occurred on WTCN-TV (now KARE-TV), where Buetel also handled play-by-play duties, building on his prior experience as the voice of the NHL's . Print media in extensively covered the team, particularly in the Star Tribune, which reported on key rivalries such as those against the and , often emphasizing the intense competition for fan loyalty with the established North . Coverage also frequently addressed fluctuations, noting averages around 5,800 fans per game amid financial struggles and the novelty of WHA hockey in the market. Nationally, the Saints gained some exposure through WHA playoff broadcasts, including a 1973 regular-season game against the aired on from the St. Paul Civic Center, marking one of the league's early network appearances. Playoff series, such as their 1974 Western Division Final against the Houston Aeros, received limited U.S. coverage, while Canadian outlets like CBC broadcast select WHA games involving cross-border rivalries, though specific Saints playoff telecasts were sparse. In modern times, documentation of the Saints has been preserved through digital archives and retrospective media. The website HockeyDB maintains comprehensive historical records, including rosters, statistics, and game program scans from seasons like 1972-73 and 1975-76. Vintage Minnesota Hockey, a YouTube channel dedicated to state hockey history, has produced videos from 2018 to 2024, such as "The Minnesota Fighting Saints History by FSN" (2024), featuring archival footage and interviews. A 2022 book by local author Dan Whenesota, A Slap Shot in Time: The Wild but True History of the Minnesota Fighting Saints, draws on period sources to recount the franchise's story, with a 2023 feature in The Rink Live highlighting its role in filling historical narratives. The team's two mid-season foldings in and created significant gaps in contemporary media archives, with limited surviving game footage or recordings beyond select radio tapes. These voids have been partially addressed by fan recollections shared in like Whenesota's and online communities, where supporters recount experiences through personal anecdotes and preserved memorabilia.

References

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