Minesota Fighting Saints(1976-77)WHA History

Minnesota Fighting Saints



1976-77

Founded: July 1976 when Nick Mileti and Bob Brown move the Cleveland Crusaders to St.Paul.

With Nick Mileti's Cleveland Crusaders team moved to St.Paul he had to search for several players and a coach. To fill these two gaps Mileti signed former Saints coach Glen Sonmor and the team featured old Saint players like Dave Keon and Mike Antonovich. The city guaranteed owners Nick Mileti and Bob Brown guaranteed season ticket sales and large crowds, but neither materialized. After playing the first 42 games the Fighting Saints had a record of 19-18-5, but because of the lower crowds and ticket sales dropping the new team faced the same fate as the original team. On January 17, 1977 the team folded leaving all players as free agents. Luckly after a great half season with the Saints Dave Keon did find work with the veteran New England Whalers. 

Minnesota Fighting Saints Year-by-Year
Year        W   L   T    pts.    Finish        Playoffs
1976-77    19  18   5    43      folded

Other Team Facts

Jerseys: Colors: Scarlet, White, Gold
  • John McKenzie in a Saints Uniform.
    Arena Home Rink- St.Paul Civic Center (15,705)
    Attendance Figures (Avg-Total)
  • 1972-73......6,211.......155,280
    *Note- After 25 Home Games.
    Coaches
  • 1976-77...Glen Sonmor
    All-Star Representatives
  • 1977...Louis Levasseur
    Affiliations
  • 1976-77...Syracuse Blazers(NAHL),Hampton Gulls(SHL)
    Player Stats
  • Minnesota Fighting Saints 1976-77

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