The Minnesota Wild was not called anything else before its inception; the franchise was founded under the name "Minnesota Wild."
The Minnesota Wild is an expansion team that was established after the previous National Hockey League (NHL) team in Minnesota relocated.
Foundation of the Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild officially came into existence on June 25, 1997, when the franchise was founded. The team then began its inaugural season of play in the NHL during the 2000–01 season. It was created as a new entity to bring professional hockey back to Minnesota after a period without an NHL presence.
The Predecessor: Minnesota North Stars
While the Minnesota Wild itself was a new franchise, its founding followed the departure of Minnesota's original NHL team, the Minnesota North Stars. The North Stars were a beloved part of Minnesota's sports landscape, playing in the state from 1967 until 1993. In 1993, the North Stars franchise relocated to Dallas, Texas, where they were subsequently renamed the Dallas Stars.
The timeline below illustrates the presence of NHL teams in Minnesota:
| Team Name | Location | Years Active in Minnesota | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota North Stars | Minnesota | 1967–1993 | Relocated to Dallas, Texas, becoming the Dallas Stars |
| Minnesota Wild | Minnesota | 2000–Present | Founded as an expansion team |
Therefore, while the state of Minnesota had an NHL team called the North Stars before the Wild, the Minnesota Wild franchise was never known by any other name. It was a completely new team brought into the league to restore professional hockey to the region.
