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1981–82 Minnesota North Stars season

{{short description|National Hockey League team season}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox ice hockey team season

| League = NHL

| Season = 1981–82

| year = 1981

| Team = Minnesota North Stars

| Conference = Campbell

| ConferenceRank = 2nd

| Division = Norris

| DivisionRank = 1st

| Record = 37–23–20

| HomeRecord = 21–7–12

| RoadRecord = 16–16–8

| GoalsFor = 346

| GoalsAgainst = 288

| GeneralManager = Lou Nanne

| Coach = Glen Sonmor

| Captain = Tim Young

| AltCaptain = None

| Arena = Met Center

| Attendance = 15,220

| MinorLeague = Nashville South Stars (CHL)

| GoalsLeader = Dino Ciccarelli (55)

| AssistsLeader = Bobby Smith (71)

| PointsLeader = Bobby Smith (114)

| PIMLeader = Dino Ciccarelli (138)

| WinsLeader = Gilles Meloche (26)

| GAALeader = Lindsay Middlebrook (3.00)

| DivisionWin = Yes

}}

The 1981–82 Minnesota North Stars season was their 15th season. Dino Ciccarelli, in his second season, scored 55 goals, a franchise record. Minnesota won their first division title, but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Chicago Black Hawks.

{{TOC limit|limit=2}}

Offseason

Prior to the season, realignment of the NHL's divisions took place, which saw the North Stars leave the Adams Division and join the Norris Division. They would join alongside the Chicago Black Hawks, Detroit Red Wings, St. Louis Blues, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Winnipeg Jets.

Regular season

Glen Sonmor took a temporary leave of absence in January 1982, leaving assistant coach Murray Oliver in charge for four games, three of which the North Stars won.

=Final standings=

{{1981–82 NHL Norris Division standings|team=MIN}}

=Record vs. opponents=

{{1981–82 NHL Record vs. opponents (Norris)|team=MIN}}

Schedule and results

=Regular season=

{{Game log start|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009639 5px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 5px solid;|title=1981–82 regular season{{cite web |title=1981-82 Minnesota North Stars Schedule |url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/MNS/1982_games.html |website=Hockey-Reference.com |access-date=March 26, 2025}}}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009639 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid;|title=October|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-tied}}

|1||T||October 8, 1981||3–3 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1981–82) ||0–0–1

|- {{Game-won}}

|2||W||October 10, 1981||7–0 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1981–82) ||1–0–1

|- {{Game-won}}

|3||W||October 12, 1981||4–2 || align="left"| @ Quebec Nordiques (1981–82) ||2–0–1

|- {{Game-won}}

|4||W||October 14, 1981||2–1 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1981–82) ||3–0–1

|- {{Game-lost}}

|5||L||October 17, 1981||2–5 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1981–82) ||3–1–1

|- {{Game-lost}}

|6||L||October 18, 1981||2–3 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1981–82) ||3–2–1

|- {{Game-tied}}

|7||T||October 22, 1981||5–5 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1981–82) ||3–2–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|8||W||October 24, 1981||6–3 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1981–82) ||4–2–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|9||W||October 25, 1981||6–3 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1981–82) ||5–2–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|10||W||October 28, 1981||6–1 || align="left"| Calgary Flames (1981–82) ||6–2–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|11||W||October 31, 1981||5–4 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1981–82) ||7–2–2

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009639 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid;|title=November|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|12||W||November 4, 1981||6–1 || align="left"| @ Washington Capitals (1981–82) ||8–2–2

|- {{Game-lost}}

|13||L||November 7, 1981||2–4 || align="left"| @ Hartford Whalers (1981–82) ||8–3–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|14||W||November 8, 1981||4–1 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1981–82) ||9–3–2

|- {{Game-won}}

|15||W||November 11, 1981||15–2 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1981–82) ||10–3–2

|- {{Game-tied}}

|16||T||November 14, 1981||5–5 || align="left"| Quebec Nordiques (1981–82) ||10–3–3

|- {{Game-won}}

|17||W||November 18, 1981||6–4 || align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1981–82) ||11–3–3

|- {{Game-tied}}

|18||T||November 19, 1981||2–2 || align="left"| Edmonton Oilers (1981–82) ||11–3–4

|- {{Game-lost}}

|19||L||November 21, 1981||4–6 || align="left"| Chicago Black Hawks (1981–82) ||11–4–4

|- {{Game-tied}}

|20||T||November 22, 1981||1–1 || align="left"| @ Chicago Black Hawks (1981–82) ||11–4–5

|- {{Game-tied}}

|21||T||November 25, 1981||4–4 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1981–82) ||11–4–6

|- {{Game-tied}}

|22||T||November 27, 1981||5–5 || align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1981–82) ||11–4–7

|- {{Game-won}}

|23||W||November 28, 1981||5–3 || align="left"| Philadelphia Flyers (1981–82) ||12–4–7

|- {{Game-tied}}

|24||T||November 30, 1981||2–2 || align="left"| Colorado Rockies (1981–82) ||12–4–8

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009639 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid;|title=December|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

|25||L||December 2, 1981||0–5 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1981–82) ||12–5–8

|- {{Game-lost}}

|26||L||December 5, 1981||5–8 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1981–82) ||12–6–8

|- {{Game-tied}}

|27||T||December 9, 1981||6–6 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1981–82) ||12–6–9

|- {{Game-lost}}

|28||L||December 10, 1981||1–4 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1981–82) ||12–7–9

|- {{Game-won}}

|29||W||December 12, 1981||6–3 || align="left"| Chicago Black Hawks (1981–82) ||13–7–9

|- {{Game-lost}}

|30||L||December 15, 1981||2–4 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1981–82) ||13–8–9

|- {{Game-lost}}

|31||L||December 17, 1981||2–4 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1981–82) ||13–9–9

|- {{Game-lost}}

|32||L||December 19, 1981||6–9 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1981–82) ||13–10–9

|- {{Game-tied}}

|33||T||December 22, 1981||4–4 || align="left"| @ Vancouver Canucks (1981–82) ||13–10–10

|- {{Game-tied}}

|34||T||December 23, 1981||4–4 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1981–82) ||13–10–11

|- {{Game-won}}

|35||W||December 26, 1981||6–3 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1981–82) ||14–10–11

|- {{Game-tied}}

|36||T||December 28, 1981||4–4 || align="left"| Colorado Rockies (1981–82) ||14–10–12

|- {{Game-lost}}

|37||L||December 31, 1981||2–4 || align="left"| @ Buffalo Sabres (1981–82) ||14–11–12

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009639 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid;|title=January|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|38||W||January 2, 1982||6–2 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1981–82) ||15–11–12

|- {{Game-lost}}

|39||L||January 5, 1982||1–4 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1981–82) ||15–12–12

|- {{Game-tied}}

|40||T||January 6, 1982||3–3 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1981–82) ||15–12–13

|- {{Game-tied}}

|41||T||January 9, 1982||3–3 || align="left"| Montreal Canadiens (1981–82) ||15–12–14

|- {{Game-lost}}

|42||L||January 11, 1982||3–5 || align="left"| @ New York Rangers (1981–82) ||15–13–14

|- {{Game-lost}}

|43||L||January 13, 1982||0–2 || align="left"| New York Rangers (1981–82) ||15–14–14

|- {{Game-won}}

|44||W||January 16, 1982||4–1 || align="left"| Quebec Nordiques (1981–82) ||16–14–14

|- {{Game-won}}

|45||W||January 17, 1982||7–5 || align="left"| Chicago Black Hawks (1981–82) ||17–14–14

|- {{Game-won}}

|46||W||January 20, 1982||3–1 || align="left"| @ Colorado Rockies (1981–82) ||18–14–14

|- {{Game-tied}}

|47||T||January 21, 1982||3–3 || align="left"| @ Los Angeles Kings (1981–82) ||18–14–15

|- {{Game-won}}

|48||W||January 23, 1982||8–4 || align="left"| Chicago Black Hawks (1981–82) ||19–14–15

|- {{Game-won}}

|49||W||January 25, 1982||9–2 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1981–82) ||20–14–15

|- {{Game-won}}

|50||W||January 27, 1982||8–6 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1981–82) ||21–14–15

|- {{Game-lost}}

|51||L||January 28, 1982||3–8 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1981–82) ||21–15–15

|- {{Game-lost}}

|52||L||January 30, 1982||2–4 || align="left"| @ New York Islanders (1981–82) ||21–16–15

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009639 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid;|title=February|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|53||W||February 3, 1982||9–6 || align="left"| @ Pittsburgh Penguins (1981–82) ||22–16–15

|- {{Game-tied}}

|54||T||February 4, 1982||3–3 || align="left"| @ Philadelphia Flyers (1981–82) ||22–16–16

|- {{Game-lost}}

|55||L||February 7, 1982||2–5 || align="left"| @ Chicago Black Hawks (1981–82) ||22–17–16

|- {{Game-lost}}

|56||L||February 11, 1982||2–4 || align="left"| Boston Bruins (1981–82) ||22–18–16

|- {{Game-won}}

|57||W||February 13, 1982||6–1 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1981–82) ||23–18–16

|- {{Game-tied}}

|58||T||February 15, 1982||3–3 || align="left"| @ Toronto Maple Leafs (1981–82) ||23–18–17

|- {{Game-lost}}

|59||L||February 17, 1982||4–7 || align="left"| @ Edmonton Oilers (1981–82) ||23–19–17

|- {{Game-tied}}

|60||T||February 18, 1982||2–2 || align="left"| @ Calgary Flames (1981–82) ||23–19–18

|- {{Game-won}}

|61||W||February 20, 1982||7–3 || align="left"| Washington Capitals (1981–82) ||24–19–18

|- {{Game-won}}

|62||W||February 22, 1982||8–7 || align="left"| Hartford Whalers (1981–82) ||25–19–18

|- {{Game-won}}

|63||W||February 24, 1982||7–5 || align="left"| Toronto Maple Leafs (1981–82) ||26–19–18

|- {{Game-tied}}

|64||T||February 27, 1982||5–5 || align="left"| Buffalo Sabres (1981–82) ||26–19–19

|- {{Game-won}}

|65||W||February 28, 1982||5–4 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1981–82) ||27–19–19

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009639 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid;|title=March|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|66||W||March 3, 1982||6–4 || align="left"| Detroit Red Wings (1981–82) ||28–19–19

|- {{Game-won}}

|67||W||March 6, 1982||3–1 || align="left"| Vancouver Canucks (1981–82) ||29–19–19

|- {{Game-won}}

|68||W||March 8, 1982||8–1 || align="left"| St. Louis Blues (1981–82) ||30–19–19

|- {{Game-tied}}

|69||T||March 10, 1982||4–4 || align="left"| New York Islanders (1981–82) ||30–19–20

|- {{Game-won}}

|70||W||March 13, 1982||3–2 || align="left"| @ St. Louis Blues (1981–82) ||31–19–20

|- {{Game-won}}

|71||W||March 15, 1982||4–3 || align="left"| Pittsburgh Penguins (1981–82) ||32–19–20

|- {{Game-lost}}

|72||L||March 17, 1982||2–3 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1981–82) ||32–20–20

|- {{Game-lost}}

|73||L||March 20, 1982||1–5 || align="left"| @ Montreal Canadiens (1981–82) ||32–21–20

|- {{Game-won}}

|74||W||March 22, 1982||4–2 || align="left"| Los Angeles Kings (1981–82) ||33–21–20

|- {{Game-won}}

|75||W||March 25, 1982||4–3 || align="left"| @ Detroit Red Wings (1981–82) ||34–21–20

|- {{Game-won}}

|76||W||March 27, 1982||6–5 || align="left"| @ Boston Bruins (1981–82) ||35–21–20

|- {{Game-won}}

|77||W||March 28, 1982||5–2 || align="left"| @ Hartford Whalers (1981–82) ||36–21–20

|- {{Game-lost}}

|78||L||March 30, 1982||5–7 || align="left"| Winnipeg Jets (1981–82) ||36–22–20

|-

{{Game log section end}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009639 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid;|title=April|Game |Result |Date |Score |Opponent |Record}}

|- {{Game-won}}

|79||W||April 2, 1982||5–2 || align="left"| @ Winnipeg Jets (1981–82) ||37–22–20

|- {{Game-lost}}

|80||L||April 4, 1982||3–4 || align="left"| @ Chicago Black Hawks (1981–82) ||37–23–20

|-

{{Game log section end}}

|-

|

Legend:

{{legend2|#cfc|Win (2 points)|border=1px solid black}}

{{legend2|#fcc|Loss (0 points)|border=1px solid black}}

{{legend2|#ffc|Tie (1 point)|border=1px solid black}}

{{Game log end}}

=Playoffs=

{{Game log start|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009639 5px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 5px solid;|title=1982 Stanley Cup playoffs}}

{{Game log section start|hide=y|style=background:#fff; border-top:#009639 2px solid; border-bottom:#FFD100 2px solid;|title=Norris Division Semifinals vs. (N4) Chicago Black Hawks – Black Hawks win 3–1| Game| Date| Visitor| Score| Home| Series}}

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 1 || April 7 || Chicago Black Hawks || 3–2 || Minnesota North Stars || 1–0

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 2 || April 8 || Chicago Black Hawks || 5–3 || Minnesota North Stars || 2–0

|- {{Game-won}}

| 3 || April 10 || Minnesota North Stars || 7–1 || Chicago Black Hawks || 2–1

|- {{Game-lost}}

| 4 || April 11 || Minnesota North Stars || 2–5 || Chicago Black Hawks || 3–1

|-

{{Game log section end}}

|-

|

Legend:

{{legend2|#cfc|Win|border=1px solid black}}

{{legend2|#fcc|Loss|border=1px solid black}}

{{Game log end}}

Playoffs

The North Stars lost in the first round to Chicago. The Black Hawks won the best-of-five series, three games to one.

Player statistics

=Skaters=

Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

class="wikitable sortable"
style="color:white; background:#009639; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFD100|2px}}" width="40%" | Player

!style="color:white; background:#009639; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFD100|2px}}" width="10%" | GP

!style="color:white; background:#009639; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFD100|2px}}" width="10%" | G

!style="color:white; background:#009639; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFD100|2px}}" width="10%" | A

!style="color:white; background:#009639; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFD100|2px}}" width="10%" | Pts

!style="color:white; background:#009639; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFD100|2px}}" width="10%" | +/-

!style="color:white; background:#009639; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFD100|2px}}" width="10%" | PIM

align="center"

| Bobby Smith

804371114+1082
align="center"

| Dino Ciccarelli

765551106+14138
align="center"

| Neal Broten

73386098+1442
align="center"

| Steve Payne

74334578+2076
align="center"

| Craig Hartsburg

76176077+11117
align="center"

| Al MacAdam

79184361+937
align="center"

| Steve Christoff

69262955+914
align="center"

| Brad Palmer

72222345-1318
align="center"

| Tom McCarthy

40123042+1036
align="center"

| Tim Young

50103141+167
align="center"

| Gordie Roberts

7943034-3119
align="center"

| Brad Maxwell

51102131+696
align="center"

| Mike Eaves

25111021+20
align="center"

| Kent-Erik Andersson

7091221-518
align="center"

| Fred Barrett

6911516-1289
align="center"

| Anders Håkansson

7212416-1129
align="center"

| Curt Giles

7431215+1587
align="center"

| Jack Carlson

578412-5103
align="center"

| Bill Nyrop

424812+1435
align="center"

| Ken Solheim

29459-84
align="center"

| Gary Sargent

15055+518
align="center"

| Kevin Maxwell

12145-18
align="center"

| Mark Johnson

10224-410
align="center"

| Murray Brumwell

21033E18
align="center"

| Dan Poulin

3112+12
align="center"

| Ron Meighan

7112-12
align="center"

| Tom Younghans

3101+10
align="center"
{{Cite web|url=https://www.hockey-reference.com/teams/MNS/1982.html|title = 1981-82 Minnesota North Stars Roster and Statistics}}

=Goaltending=

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; SO = Shutouts; GAA = Goals against average

class="wikitable sortable"
style="color:white; background:#009639; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFD100|2px}}" width="16%" | Player

!style="color:white; background:#009639; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFD100|2px}}" width="9%" | GP

!style="color:white; background:#009639; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFD100|2px}}" width="9%" | W

!style="color:white; background:#009639; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFD100|2px}}" width="9%" | L

!style="color:white; background:#009639; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFD100|2px}}" width="9%" | T

!style="color:white; background:#009639; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFD100|2px}}" width="9%" | SO

!style="color:white; background:#009639; {{box-shadow border|a|#FFD100|2px}}" width="9%" | GAA

align="center"

| Gilles Meloche

512615913.48
align="center"

| Don Beaupre

28118903.71
align="center"

| Lindsay Middlebrook

300203.00
align="center"

Awards and records

{{Empty section|date=July 2010}}

Draft picks

Minnesota's draft picks at the 1981 NHL entry draft held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal.

class="wikitable"
align="center"

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="4.0%" | Round

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="4.0%" | #

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="21.0%" | Player

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="14.5%" | Nationality

! bgcolor="#DDDDFF" width="50.0%" | College/Junior/Club team (League)

113Ron Meighan{{flagu|Canada}}Niagara Falls Flyers (OMJHL)
227Dave Donnelly{{flagu|Canada}}St. Albert Saints (AJHL)
231Mike Sands{{flagu|Canada}}Sudbury Wolves (OMJHL)
233Tom Hirsch{{flagu|United States}}Patrick Henry High School (USHS-MN)
234Dave Preuss{{flagu|United States}}St. Thomas Academy (USHS-MN)
241Jali Wahlsten{{FIN}}TPS (Finland)
469Terry Tait{{flagu|Canada}}Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OMJHL)
476Jim Malwitz{{flagu|United States}}Grand Rapids High School (USHS-MN)
597Kelly Hubbard{{flagu|Canada}}Portland Winter Hawks (WHL)
6118Paul Guay{{flagu|United States}}Mount Saint Charles Academy (USHS-RI)
7139Jim Archibald{{flagu|Canada}}Moose Jaw Canucks (SJHL)
8160Kari Kanervo{{FIN}}TPS (Finland)
9181Scott Bjugstad{{flagu|United States}}University of Minnesota (WCHA)
10202Steve Kudebeh{{flagu|United States}}Breck School (USHS-MN)

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/leagues/seasons/teams/0000371982.html North Stars on Hockey Database]

{{1981–82 NHL season by team}}

{{Minnesota North Stars seasons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1981-82 Minnesota North Stars season}}

Category:Minnesota North Stars seasons

Minnesota North Stars

Category:Norris Division champion seasons

Minnesota North Stars

Minnesota North Stars