# 1992–93 Minnesota North Stars season

The 1992–93 Minnesota North Stars season was the North Stars' 26th and final season of the franchise in Minnesota.
Although the team improved on its previous season and finished only two games below .500, it was only good enough in fifth place in the Norris Division. Minnesota finished three points behind St. Louis for the final playoff spot in the division. Four North Stars (Russ Courtnall, Ulf Dahlen, Dave Gagner and Mike Modano) reached the 30-goal plateau.

## Offseason

On June 8, general manager Bobby Clarke resigned in order to return to the Philadelphia Flyers as a senior vice president. Head coach Bob Gainey was named the team's new general manager.

## Regular season

Bobby Smith retired after the season.

### Final standings

Norris Division :
| | GP | W | L | T | Pts | GF | GA |
| Chicago Blackhawks | 84 | 47 | 25 | 12 | 106 | 279 | 230 |
| Detroit Red Wings | 84 | 47 | 28 | 9 | 103 | 369 | 280 |
| Toronto Maple Leafs | 84 | 44 | 29 | 11 | 99 | 288 | 241 |
| St. Louis Blues | 84 | 37 | 36 | 11 | 85 | 282 | 278 |
| Minnesota North Stars | 84 | 36 | 38 | 10 | 82 | 272 | 293 |
| Tampa Bay Lightning | 84 | 23 | 54 | 7 | 53 | 245 | 332 |
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against Note: Teams that qualified for the playoffs are highlighted in bold.

## Schedule and results

1992–93 regular season :
October: 6–5–1 (home: 3–1–1; road: 3–4–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
1LOctober 6, 19924–6@ St. Louis Blues (1992–93)0–1–0Recap
2WOctober 8, 19925–2St. Louis Blues (1992–93)1–1–0Recap
3WOctober 10, 19922–1Tampa Bay Lightning (1992–93)2–1–0Recap
4LOctober 13, 19923–4Calgary Flames (1992–93)2–2–0Recap
5WOctober 15, 19925–4@ St. Louis Blues (1992–93)3–2–0Recap
6LOctober 17, 19921–8@ Montreal Canadiens (1992–93)3–3–0Recap
7WOctober 18, 19925–1@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1992–93)4–3–0Recap
8WOctober 22, 19925–2Quebec Nordiques (1992–93)5–3–0Recap
9TOctober 24, 19925–5 OTLos Angeles Kings (1992–93)5–3–1Recap
10LOctober 28, 19922–5@ Edmonton Oilers (1992–93)5–4–1Recap
11WOctober 30, 19923–2@ Vancouver Canucks (1992–93)6–4–1Recap
12LOctober 31, 19923–5@ Calgary Flames (1992–93)6–5–1Recap :
November: 7–4–2 (home: 3–3–2; road: 4–1–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
13WNovember 5, 19923–0New York Islanders (1992–93)7–5–1Recap
14TNovember 7, 19922–2 OTEdmonton Oilers (1992–93)7–5–2Recap
15LNovember 10, 19921–4Pittsburgh Penguins (1992–93)7–6–2Recap
16LNovember 12, 19922–7Winnipeg Jets (1992–93)7–7–2Recap
17WNovember 14, 19923–0Chicago Blackhawks (1992–93)8–7–2Recap
18LNovember 15, 19921–2@ Chicago Blackhawks (1992–93)8–8–2Recap
19WNovember 18, 19925–4@ Washington Capitals (1992–93)9–8–2Recap
20WNovember 19, 19924–1@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1992–93)10–8–2Recap
21WNovember 21, 19924–3@ Buffalo Sabres (1992–93)11–8–2Recap
22LNovember 25, 19922–4Vancouver Canucks (1992–93)11–9–2Recap
23TNovember 27, 19924–4 OTNew York Rangers (1992–93)11–9–3Recap
24WNovember 28, 199210–3San Jose Sharks (1992–93)12–9–3Recap
25WNovember 30, 19924–2@ New York Rangers (1992–93)13–9–3Recap :
December: 6–4–2 (home: 3–2–2; road: 3–2–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
26WDecember 1, 19923–1@ Ottawa Senators (1992–93)14–9–3Recap
27WDecember 3, 19924–2@ Detroit Red Wings (1992–93)15–9–3Recap
28WDecember 5, 19927–4@ Quebec Nordiques (1992–93)16–9–3Recap
29LDecember 10, 19922–3Edmonton Oilers (1992–93)16–10–3Recap
30LDecember 12, 19920–3Chicago Blackhawks (1992–93)16–11–3Recap
31WDecember 15, 19926–5Toronto Maple Leafs (1992–93)17–11–3Recap
32TDecember 19, 19923–3 OTDetroit Red Wings (1992–93)17–11–4Recap
33LDecember 20, 19920–4@ Chicago Blackhawks (1992–93)17–12–4Recap
34TDecember 22, 19922–2 OTSt. Louis Blues (1992–93)17–12–5Recap
35WDecember 26, 19925–4Winnipeg Jets (1992–93)18–12–5Recap
36LDecember 27, 19924–7@ Winnipeg Jets (1992–93)18–13–5Recap
37WDecember 31, 19925–3Boston Bruins (1992–93)19–13–5Recap :
January: 7–5–3 (home: 4–2–1; road: 3–3–2)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
38LJanuary 2, 19932–3@ New York Islanders (1992–93)19–14–5Recap
39TJanuary 3, 19936–6 OT@ Hartford Whalers (1992–93)19–14–6Recap
40LJanuary 6, 19931–5@ New Jersey Devils (1992–93)19–15–6Recap
41WJanuary 7, 19936–3@ Pittsburgh Penguins (1992–93)20–15–6Recap
42WJanuary 9, 19936–4Tampa Bay Lightning (1992–93)21–15–6Recap
43LJanuary 12, 19931–3Chicago Blackhawks (1992–93)21–16–6Recap
44LJanuary 14, 19931–3@ Chicago Blackhawks (1992–93)21–17–6Recap
45WJanuary 16, 19934–3Calgary Flames (1992–93)22–17–6Recap
46WJanuary 19, 19934–2@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1992–93)23–17–6Recap
47WJanuary 21, 19937–2Ottawa Senators (1992–93)24–17–6Recap
48TJanuary 23, 19933–3 OTVancouver Canucks (1992–93)24–17–7Recap
49TJanuary 24, 19932–2 OT@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1992–93)24–17–8Recap
50WJanuary 26, 19932–1@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1992–93)25–17–8Recap
51WJanuary 28, 19934–2New Jersey Devils (1992–93)26–17–8Recap
52LJanuary 30, 19933–4Tampa Bay Lightning (1992–93)26–18–8Recap :
February: 4–7–1 (home: 1–3–0; road: 3–4–1)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
53WFebruary 1, 19935–4@ Vancouver Canucks (1992–93)27–18–8Recap
54WFebruary 3, 19937–3@ San Jose Sharks (1992–93)28–18–8Recap
55LFebruary 9, 19932–3Washington Capitals (1992–93)28–19–8Recap
56WFebruary 11, 19931–0@ Tampa Bay Lightning (1992–93)29–19–8Recap
57LFebruary 13, 19931–6@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1992–93)29–20–8Recap
58LFebruary 14, 19935–6Toronto Maple Leafs (1992–93)29–21–8Recap
59LFebruary 17, 19935–10Los Angeles Kings (1992–93)29–22–8Recap
60WFebruary 20, 19935–2Philadelphia Flyers (1992–93)30–22–8Recap
61LFebruary 21, 19931–4Detroit Red Wings (1992–93)30–23–8Recap
62TFebruary 25, 19933–3 OT@ Boston Bruins (1992–93)30–23–9Recap
63LFebruary 27, 19932–3@ St. Louis Blues (1992–93)30–24–9Recap
64LFebruary 28, 19936–7@ Winnipeg Jets (1992–93)30–25–9Recap :
March: 3–9–1 (home: 2–4–1; road: 1–5–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
65LMarch 3, 19931–3@ Toronto Maple Leafs (1992–93)30–26–9Recap
66WMarch 6, 19934–3Montreal Canadiens (1992–93)31–26–9Recap
67LMarch 7, 19931–7Detroit Red Wings (1992–93)31–27–9Recap
68WMarch 9, 19934–2San Jose Sharks (1992–93)32–27–9Recap
69WMarch 11, 19934–3@ Vancouver Canucks (1992–93)33–27–9Recap
70LMarch 13, 19932–6@ St. Louis Blues (1992–93)33–28–9Recap
71LMarch 14, 19931–3St. Louis Blues (1992–93)33–29–9Recap
72LMarch 16, 19933–4@ Philadelphia Flyers (1992–93)33–30–9Recap
73LMarch 18, 19931–5@ Detroit Red Wings (1992–93)33–31–9Recap
74LMarch 21, 19932–6Detroit Red Wings (1992–93)33–32–9Recap
75TMarch 25, 19933–3 OTToronto Maple Leafs (1992–93)33–32–10Recap
76LMarch 27, 19931–2Hartford Whalers (1992–93)33–33–10Recap
77LMarch 31, 19932–5@ Edmonton Oilers (1992–93)33–34–10Recap :
April: 3–4–0 (home: 2–1–0; road: 1–3–0)
GameResultDateScoreOpponentRecordRecap
78LApril 1, 19933–5@ Calgary Flames (1992–93)33–35–10Recap
79WApril 3, 19933–0@ Los Angeles Kings (1992–93)34–35–10Recap
80WApril 6, 19933–1Buffalo Sabres (1992–93)35–35–10Recap
81WApril 10, 19934–3St. Louis Blues (1992–93)36–35–10Recap
82LApril 11, 19931–5@ St. Louis Blues (1992–93)36–36–10Recap
83LApril 13, 19932–3Chicago Blackhawks (1992–93)36–37–10Recap
84LApril 15, 19933–5@ Detroit Red Wings (1992–93)36–38–10Recap :
Legend:
  Win (2 points)
  Loss (0 points)
  Tie (1 point) :

## Player statistics
### Forwards

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
| Mike Modano | 82 | 33 | 60 | 93 | 83 | 7 |
| Russ Courtnall | 84 | 36 | 43 | 79 | 49 | 1 |
| Dave Gagner | 84 | 33 | 43 | 76 | 143 | 13 |
| Ulf Dahlen | 83 | 35 | 39 | 74 | 6 | 20 |
| Mike McPhee | 84 | 18 | 22 | 40 | 44 | 2 |
| Mike Craig | 70 | 15 | 23 | 38 | 106 | -11 |
| Neal Broten | 82 | 12 | 21 | 33 | 22 | 7 |
| Todd Elik | 46 | 13 | 18 | 31 | 48 | 5 |
| Gaetan Duchesne | 84 | 16 | 13 | 29 | 30 | 6 |
| Trent Klatt | 47 | 4 | 19 | 23 | 38 | 2 |
| Shane Churla | 73 | 5 | 16 | 21 | 286 | 8 |
| Stewart Gavin | 63 | 10 | 8 | 18 | 59 | 4 |
| Bobby Smith | 45 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 9 |
| Brian Propp | 17 | 3 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 10 |
| Dan Quinn | 11 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 |

### Defensemen

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes
| Player | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | +/- |
| Mark Tinordi | 69 | 15 | 27 | 42 | 157 | 1 |
| Tommy Sjodin | 77 | 7 | 29 | 36 | 30 | 25 |
| Jim Johnson | 79 | 3 | 20 | 23 | 105 | 9 |
| Derian Hatcher | 67 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 178 | 27 |
| Craig Ludwig | 78 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 153 | 1 |
| Richard Matvichuk | 53 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 26 | 8 |
| James Black | 10 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| Brad Berry | 63 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 109 | 2 |

### Goaltending

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average
| Player | GP | MIN | W | L | T | SO | GAA |
| Jon Casey | 60 | 3476 | 26 | 26 | 5 | 3 | 3.33 |
| Darcy Wakaluk | 29 | 1596 | 10 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 3.65 |

## Relocation to Dallas

In 1993, amid further attendance woes and bitter personal controversy, North Stars owner Norm Green obtained permission to move the team to the Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas, where they were renamed, 'specifically', the Stars. The NHL, to quell the controversy, 'promised' to the fans of Minnesota to return in the future with a new franchise. That promise came true when the franchise was awarded in 1997 and began play in 2000.

## Draft picks

Dallas' draft picks at the 1992 NHL entry draft held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal.
| Round | Pick | Player | Nationality | College/Junior/Club team (League) |
| 2 | 34 | Jarkko Varvio | Finland | HPK (Finland) |
| 3 | 58 | Jeff Bes | Canada | Guelph Storm (OHL) |
| 4 | 88 | Jere Lehtinen | Finland | Kiekko-Espoo (Finland) |
| 6 | 130 | Michael Johnson | Canada | Ottawa 67's (OHL) |
| 7 | 154 | Kyle Peterson | Canada | Thunder Bay Flyers (USHL) |
| 8 | 178 | Juha Lind | Finland | Jokerit (Finland) |
| 9 | 202 | Lars Edstrom | Sweden | Lulea HF (Sweden) |
| 10 | 226 | Jeff Romfo | United States | Blaine High School (USHS-MN) |
| 11 | 250 | Jeff Moen | United States | Roseville Area High School (USHS-MN) |