MinnesotaMoose

The Minnesota Moose (1994-1996) were an ice hockey team in the International

Hockey League (IHL) and the first pro hockey franchise in the state since the

North Stars of the NHL moved to Dallas in 1993. The team was named the "Moose"

after the St. Paul Pioneer Press conducted a "name-the-team" contest. The Moose

edged out the "Mustangs" in the voting and Kevin MacLean, majority owner, of the

eventual Moose was quoted as saying; "The Moose is a name we can have fun

with, and fun is a big part of the IHL's approach to hockey" The Moose played a

majority of their games at the Saint Paul Civic Center in downtown St. Paul, and

also played some home games at the Target Center in Minneapolis. With the recently departed North Stars following the 1993 season the fans were eager initially to rally behind a new pro hockey team. The Moose games were eventually broadcast on the old Midwest Sports Channel (MSC) after fans demanded televised games, and the stands were nearly full to capacity crowds that showed up to support the new team in town. The teams "Moose Gear" and logo wear were selling at a record pace, so hot that it led all minor league hockey sales in total merchandise revenue. The Moose's first season was filled with highs and lows. In the inagural season of 1994-95 the team finished 4th in the IHL with a record of 34-35-12. The following season the Moose signed a working agreement with the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL to become the teams minor league affiliate. After a lackluster season performance, and finishing last in the IHL with a record of 30-45-7 Winnipeg became the eventual teams permanent future address, and in part due to fans not turning out for the games either the way they once did in the 1994-95 season. The Moose sadly left Minnesota after only two seasons to become the Manitoba Moose. It was thought at the time prior to the move the two cities would do a "swap of teams", having the Winnipeg Jets come to Minnesota and the Moose go to Manitoba. In the long of it, the Jets moved to Phoenix to become the Phoenix Coyotes and the "State-of-Hockey" was left without a pro team. As history goes, Minnesota would eventually reclaim the Minnesota Wild 5 seasons after the Moose left town in 2000, and with it professional hockey's era was reborn in St. Paul.

Despite only 2 seasons of the Moose in Minnesota, they were a representative of professional hockey in Minnesota at a time when the hopes of the state for recovering an NHL team had all but vanished. The IHL's eventual expansion into NHL markets continued to put a strain on relationships between the leagues. There was some speculation that the IHL would end up competing directly with the NHL, especially when a lock-out in 1994 threatened to wipe out the NHL season. However, in the 1995-96 season, the IHL's "soft" salary cap was just $1.5 million, while the lowest NHL team payroll that season was $11.4 million.

In response, many NHL clubs shifted their affiliations to the AHL. In 1997-98, only four of 18 IHL teams had NHL affiliations. With the loss of subsidized salaries, high expansion fees (by the end the league was charging as much as $8 million US for new teams), exploding travel costs and the NHL itself moving into some of its markets, the league's rapid expansion proved a critical strain, and it folded after the 2001 season.

Six IHL franchises (the Chicago Wolves, Grand Rapids Griffins, Houston Aeros, Utah Grizzlies, Milwaukee Admirals and Manitoba Moose) were admitted into the AHL as expansion teams for the 2001-02 season

Minnesota Moose Record

Season GP W L T OTL SOL Pts Pct GF GA PIM Result

1994-95 81 34 35 0 12 0 80 0.494 271 336 1313 Lost in round 1

1995-96 82 30 45 0 7 0 67 0.409 254 332 1905 Out of Playoffs

Team Leaders/Records

Goals: 38 Dave Christian (1994-95)

Assists: 81 Stephane Morin (1994-95)

Points: 114 Stephane Morin (1994-95)

Penalty Minutes: 181 Brad Miller (1994-95)

GAA: 3.31 Parris Duffus (1995-96)

SV%: .895 Parris Duffus (1995-96)

Career Goals: 60 Stephane Morin

Career Assists: 132 Stephane Morin

Career Points: 192 Stephane Morin

Career Penalty Minutes: 351 Brad Miller

Career Goaltending Wins: 25 Tom Draper

Career Shutouts: 1 Tom Draper , Parris Duffus

Career Games: 161 Stephane Morin

"Former U Stars Boost the Moose"

The success of the Gophers hockey program has helped jump-start the state's newest professional hockey team. The Minnesota Moose is an expansion team in the International Hockey League and the first pro hockey franchise in the state since the North Stars of the NHL moved to Dallas in 1993.

Former Gophers have helped the Moose emerge as a respectable club as players and as administrators in the front office.``This is a good brand of hockey,'' said Larry Olimb, the Gophers scoring leader in 1991 and 1992. Olimb now plays center and defense for the Moose. ``I think the IHL can succeed in Minnesota. This is a good league and people who watch are entertained.''After a slow start, the Moose have compiled the IHL's fourth-best record since December and improved their overall record above .500.

Moose center and former Gopher Dave Snuggerud is a big reason

for the team's recent improvement. Snuggerud is the team's third-

leading scorerwith 23 goals this season Snuggerud, who led the

Gophers in scoring in 1989, played four seasons in the NHL with

Buffalo, San Jose and Philadelphia before coming to the Moose.

``This is the minor leagues,'' he said. ``What I'm here for is not to

get back into the majors. I just want to help some of the other

players get to the NHL level.''While the IHL does not have the NHL's

glamour, it does give players the opportunity to play the sport they

love and still make a living. The average salary for a Moose player

is around $35,000. What's more important for the former Gophers is

the chance to play before the home fans." It's always nice being

able to play in your home state,'' Snuggerud said. ``The fans are

great up here. They have a real knowledge of the game. They

respect you in a good game and aren't afraid to boo at a bad game.''

Moose winger John Brill said, ``Outside of the NHL, this is where I

want to play.''Brill, a recent acquisition by the Moose, played for the

Gophers from 1989 to 1993.Returning to Minnesota to play pro hockey

has been a good experience for most of the former Gophers, except Moose goalie Frank Pietrangelo. Pietrangelo, who played with the Gophers from 1982 to 1986, injured a finger early in the season and later tore cartilage in his knee.``It's been a disappointing season,'' he said after his first practice since the knee injury. ``As you get older, you want to play as much as you can.''Pietrangelo played in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Hartford Whalers and is currently under contract with the New York Islanders.

Many of the IHL teams have NHL affiliates, a system similar to baseball's minor leagues. However, the Moose are one of the few independent teams in the league.During the season, players with NHL contracts, like Pietrangelo, may be called up to play in the NHL.Although not all of the former Gophers played together at Minnesota, Snuggerud said it's nice to see all of these Gophers make it to this level.``Brill, myself and Snuggerud were a line (during a recent game),'' said Olimb. ``It's nice to have all these Minnesotans playing on a team. This is a great bunch of guys.''Glen Sonmor, who coached the Gophers from 1966 to 1971, adds to the Moose's inaugural-season success as director of player development.

``(Sonmor) is a key man in our organization,'' Moose head coach Frank Serratore said. ``I learn something from him every day. He's been a mentor for me and has helped me on day-to-day decisions.''Olimb credits Sonmor and Gophers assistant coach Bill Butters for giving him a shot with the Moose.``(Butters and Sonmor) knew I was in town and told me I should try out with the Moose,'' Olimb said. ``Sonmor gave me a chance to play when everyone thought I was done.''

The IHL regular season ends this week, but the Moose are in position to make the playoffs."It's nice (that the playoffs are coming),'' Snuggerud said. ``The weather is starting to get nice now. That's what it's all about -- warm weather and hockey in the springtime.''

Moose notes: Because of event conflicts at the St. Paul Civic Center,

Moose home playoff games will be played at Target Center in

Minneapolis.

Featured in the Minnesota Daily 04-05-1995 By: Scott Bradley