NHL Rumors: Wild to Use North Stars Colors on Uniforms Starting with 2025-26 Season

Adam WellsJune 12, 2024

David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Minnesota Wild have denied a report that the colors of the Minnesota North Stars would be making a comeback for the 2025-26 NHL season.

Michael Russo of The Athletic spoke to the team, who said a report from hockey branding site Icethetics that the colors would return is “not based in fact.”

Michael Russo @RussoHockeyZero truth to this the #mnwild tell me. “Not based in fact.” https://t.co/xvq9VwONVQ

The North Stars played in Minnesota from 1967 to 1993 before relocating to Dallas and were rebranded as the Stars.

The Wild do have access to the North Stars logo and colors, even though the Dallas Stars were previously the North Stars before relocating to Dallas prior to the 1993-94 season.

Minnesota has used the North Stars jersey in the past. They broke it out for the alumni game prior to their Stadium Series showdown against the Chicago Blackhawks at Huntington Bank Stadium in February 2016.

Minnesota Wild @mnwild#mnwild unveiled the #StadiumSeries Alumni Game Jersey. Take a look: https://t.co/xg5OF3SMVl https://t.co/jx0a5m7sgI pic.twitter.com/6Efagl5YLt

Russo previously noted the Wild received permission in April 2017 to wear North Stars jerseys for warmups prior to a game against the Carolina Hurricanes to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the North Stars’ inaugural season.

The Wild released a retro jersey in 2021 that was North Stars-themed with their colors, but it kept the current logo.

Minnesota Wild @mnwildCrafted for the State of Hockey.

Introducing the #mnwild adidas #ReverseRetro jersey.

Hitting the ice in 2021. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/C2hasPuw7h

The Wild unveiled “The 78s” jerseys prior to the start of the 2023-24 season that celebrates the design and colors of the North Stars. They wore them for 15 games during the regular season.

“Our primary home and road jerseys are as popular as ever with our fans,” John Maher, Minnesota Wild Senior Brand Advisor, said when the jersey was unveiled. “They also let us know last season that they still loved this legacy look so we decided to keep it in our mix as a new alternate jersey, with some updated ‘State of Hockey’ details.”

Even if the Wild aren’t going to make the North Stars look their primary colors, it seems like a safe bet they will keep “The 78s” in their rotation based on how much they used them this season.

The Wild wrapped up their 23rd season after debuting in 2000-01. They have made the playoffs 13 times, including an appearance in the 2003 Western Conference Finals.