by Bruce Bostwick

Created on: December 19, 2009   Last Updated: December 20, 2009

Before the Minnesota Wild came into the picture, there had been the Minnesota North Stars. It was a team that had been struggling financially and would later see them merged with the NHL Cleveland Barons. The team would later move to become the Dallas Stars and would have Minnesota hockey. There are some factors that could have played a role in the team moving away to Dallas. It would be years later that a franchise would come into fruition along side the Columbus Blue Jackets. When looking at it, it can seem strange. Fact remains is that the North Stars name is still owned by Dallas. In its history, they would not win a Stanley Cup as such but would win in a separate history known as the Dallas Stars. There are some factors that caused the team to move out of Minnesota.

The one factor that seems to generally play a role in a team relocating would have to be money. If it had been a case of not being able to draw as well, it could potentially see a point in change of scenery. There probably had been some frustration from the fan base when it came to making it and not getting that championship. When that does happen, it can be discouraging without question.

Another had to do with some problems that were developing. There were issues with trying to get a new stadium and that did not come to past. The other had to do with the owner being involved in some major controversy at the time. The owner had a sexual harassment suit and to top that all off, his wife threatened to leave him if the team wasn't relocated out of Minnesota. Nevertheless, that also played a factor in what happened to the franchise. It didn't destroy the team in the sense of not being able to stop them in the new home but just something that happened.

The North Stars history really could be seen as a whole of having some solid teams but just teams that could never get the job done. The fact remains that they were unable to win but the good news is that they didn't wait too long in terms of getting a franchise. While the new Minnesota team couldn't be the North Stars, it became an entity and a way of making itself independent.

As a whole, it did seem apparent that the team needed to make a change and it seemed to work. It is too bad they didn't win in Minnesota but at least they've done it all ready.

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