Report surfaces that Minnesota Wild are rebranding to North Star colors

Like a rebrand that includes a permanent switch to North Stars colors? That’s what one popular NHL uniform watch/insider website (Icethletics.com) claimed on Wednesday morning, in a video they posted to their YouTube channel (26K subscribers) that claims the permanent switch to the green and yellow color scheme was coming, not next season, but for the 2025-26 NHL season.

“Quick update on Minnesota: I hope Wild fans really like the North Stars throwbacks they got during the reverse retro years. I’ve been told this look is the future of the franchise, but not next season. The Wild are apparently targeting 2025, their 25th anniversary season, to launch a rebrand of their own, a permanent switch to bright green and yellow as their primary colors.

This is a big change, that I’m told has been in the works for a couple of years now, and will be ready to roll out next summer. I can’t say for sure yet if those reverse retros will be the exact jersey designs, but it would make sense. Minnesota began easing into this transition by adopting the green throwback as their third jersey last season and they will keep it for next season as well.”

A switch back to the North Stars color scheme would be very big news that, I’m guessings, would be widely lauded by most fans and media members around town, especially knowing how much people like the Wild’s current alternate uniform, and the reverse retros that they wore a few years ago.

Minnesota Wild *mostly* shut down rebrand rumors

After the above news started spreading across hockey internet, some Minnesota Wild reporters, including Michael Russo (The Athletic), did some quick digging, to see if they could substantiate it this supposed rebrand. Unfortunately, they could not.

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

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 12, 2024

Sadly for those in the excited camp, I’m told this is likely not true “no one in the office knows about it” https://t.co/ILEO6UOB1m

— Jessi Pierce (@jessi_pierce) June 12, 2024

It appears we cannot get excited about a North Stars rebrand… yet. I say this without knowing anything behind the scenes, but the responses that Russo and Jessi Pierce got from those inside of Minnesota Wild headquarters are weird.

WTF does “not based in fact” mean? It’s either true or not true? Same with what Pierce was told. “No one in the office knows about it”. Ok… so does that mean others might know about it? It’s interesting that neither reporter was able to get a for sure false ruling. It seems like a pretty “true” or “false” situation to me…

Related: Six NHL Draft Prospects that Fit Minnesota Wild Perfectly at Lucky No. 13

Maybe a rebrand isn’t coming but I have one eye open and paying very close attention because this kind of sounds like a situation where the cat may have been let out of the bag unexpectedly, and whoever let it escape isn’t willing to admit it happened yet.

The Minnesota Wild, along with the rest of the NHL, released fresh new takes on retro uniforms on Monday. They’re awesome. Some teams are obviously cooler than others but, overall, Adidas and the NHL killed it with these new throwback threads.

But I’m going to be the Debbie Downer because someone has to be. I want to love the new uniforms but the feeling is just as bitter, as it is sweet… because the logo is wrong and everybody knows it.

New uniforms are cool. Still stupid we can’t wear the north stars logo. pic.twitter.com/JSpAnOjwEz

— Minnesota Sports Fan (@realmnsportsfan) November 16, 2020

Meanwhile, Minnesota Wild retro jerseys are a throwback to the Minnesota North Starshttps://t.co/mrFMOCLDuf pic.twitter.com/2NsLG823ek

— Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) November 16, 2020

These two are my least favorite of the #ReverseRetro release. The Stars jersey is way way way too bland. And I get the idea behind the Wild jersey but it just don’t look right pic.twitter.com/PQOIsmi3RN

— #PredsPride #TitanUp (@Preds_Pride) November 16, 2020

I want to remind everyone, before getting further into this very controversial subject, that out of all the people and organizations to blame for this travesty, the Minnesota Wild are not it. The Wild came in, after a decade of no pro hockey in the state of hockey, and restored order. They deserve praise.

Bitter-Sweet

You’ll never be able to put this color scheme together and not think about the North Stars in Minnesota. I didn’t grow up as a rabid MN hockey fan but I still know who those colors belong to. They’re too iconic. You see blue/red schemes, red/white schemes, green/white, green/gold, black/gold etc, everywhere. There are a lot of copy-cats around sports, especially when it comes to logos and color schemes.

But nobody, at any major level, has re-created the magic with green/yellow that the North Stars did. That’s part of what makes it so weird to see with a Wild logo where a big upward pointing “N” is supposed to be.

1990: Brian Hayward traded by @CanadiensMTL to Minnesota North Stars. https://t.co/pfWouwFJ5q pic.twitter.com/zhB98o5jNT

— Doug Norris (@GoalieHistory) November 7, 2020

For the love of everything can we please go back to being the Minnesota North Stars. Quit teasing us with the colors and give the people what they want. pic.twitter.com/5IuLXuIJam

— Jimmy Knutson (@JimmyKnutson) November 16, 2020

Lost in history

If the North Stars lacked their iconic symbolism or they weren’t so beloved, with such a storied history in the state of Minnesota, they’d already be lost to the snows of time.

Their move to Dallas all but guaranteed that. When they left, they cut “North” out of their nickname and changed the logo, burying the green and gold deep in the annals of Reunion Arena, along with the “N” logo. I doubt that closet even made the moving list to American Airlines Center in 2001…

Since the Wild aren’t allowed to use the North Stars logo and the Stars want to celebrate their history in Dallas, not Minnesota, we rarely ever see the North Stars “N” reappear. That’s part of the pain.

It’s time for Dallas to sell the “North Stars” copyrights back to Minnesota. Modano’s already come back. We might as well continue the transition. Again, they don’t want OUR HISTORY in Dallas anyway. This should have been done long ago.

ALSO READ: This retro uniform has been hinted at for awhile

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Are you still calling for the North Stars to come back to Minnesota, almost 27 years to the day, since they announced their departure to Texas on March 9, 1993?

Well, it sounds like nostalgic Minnesota hockey fans are likely to get that wish granted next season. That’s if you find Michael Russo of The Athletic credible (that’s a joke)… In a recent mailbag article out of The Athletic this morning, Russo said it would be a “good guess”, that the Wild will add North Star COLORED throwback uniforms for their 2020-21 campaign…

New throwback jerseys expected next year or the year after?

— Travis R.

Next season. As I think I’ve mentioned on a previous mailbag, I think it’s a good guess that the Wild’s will be North Stars colors. Not the logo, the colors. And, of course, there will be a Winter Classic special jersey.

Michael Russo – The Athletic

I’m all for the throwbacks because those North Star colors are some of the best… Too bad our neighbors to the East don’t know how to do green and gold like we did.

It’s also too bad we can’t have the classic North Star logo to go with the colors… but it’s business I guess. It’s hard to force an owner to sell something that he isn’t willing to give up… just ask New York Knicks fans.

Before I read through Russo’s 97-page mailbag (that’s a compliment), I was made aware of this on Twitter (shoutout to @B_Marsh92)… where I also saw a call for some mock-ups from a local graphic designer, who is one of the best I’ve ever seen, Kyle Hance (@Enerrgizer on Twitter and Instagram).

If Kyle delivers his version of these new rumored throwbacks…. they will blow your mind and I’ll be sure to post another blog about them.

#mnwild alternate jerseys rumored to be North Stars COLORS ? We’re gonna need a mock @Enerrgizer

— Brett Marshall ? (@B_Marsh92) March 5, 2020

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

It’s Valentine’s Day. But as we all know, we don’t get nice things in Minnesota so instead of enjoying a romantic dinner, seeing a movie and stuffing my face with chocolate, I’ve compiled my Top-4 Most Heartbreaking Breakups in Minnesota Sports History. Behold, the worst of the worst from when Minnesota teams said “It’s not you, it’s us”.

Grab some hot chocolate or maybe some ice cream. Bring the Kleenex too, because we’ve parted ways with future Hall of Famers, and struggled to fill positions in the wake of these massive splits.

So without futher ado, let us be miserable together, shall we?

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via GIPHY

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Randy Moss

Randy is one of (if not the single) the greatest wide receivers in the history of the National Football League. Randy came into the league with a vendetta against every team who passed on him in the draft. He quickly made his presence known with dominant play on the field… and antics both off and on.  The antics part apparently became too much for the Vikings to handle and they shipped him to Oakland for the 7th overall pick in in that year’s draft (plus an extra 7th rounder) and linebacker Napoleon Harris.

That first rounder (7th overall) turned into Troy Williamson, and we all know how that turned out (not well). Years later, the Vikings tried to make peace with Moss, acquiring him from New England to try and save the 2nd edition of the Brett Favre experiment during the 2010 season. The magic, however, wasn’t there and Brad Childress had him shipped back out after just 4 games and 174 yards.

Moss has wondered (along with the entire fanbase) what could have been had he stayed with the Vikings his entire career. He even had some fun with fans when a potential spot on the coaching staff popped up earlier this offseason at WR coach.

But he also admits he probably overstayed his welcome in his first stint with the team and we all know how much he praises the Patriots and loved his time there. Me though… I’m still bitter about the Raiders trade to this day… And Moss never even got his Super Bowl with the Patriots. Sad.

Player’s status: Both sides have moved on, and will always have those magical early years.

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"The fastest, tallest, highest-leaping ability and the best hands."

Celebrating @RandyMoss' 42nd birthday with his career highlights! ?

(via @NFLThrowback) pic.twitter.com/FriP9dmkP6

— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2019

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Kevin Garnett

The Big Ticket is Timberwolves basketball and basketball in Minnesota will forever be linked to Kevin Garnett. But why is it so rare for us to see Garnett at the Target Center these days? Let’s just say his departure from the Wolves and subsequent interactions with the team since, have been the opposite of pleasant.

After finally getting a good team around KG, the Wolves rose to the top of the Western Conference in 2004 and nearly made an NBA Finals appearance but an injury to Sam Cassell proved too much vs Shaq, Kobe and the Lakers. That offseason, it was decided that the formula just wasn’t working. Garnett was traded to the Celtics for Al Jefferson + some peanuts, where he went on to win his NBA Title with the Celtics.

After being traded to, and wasting away with the Nets for a couple of seasons, the time came for a reunion with a young Wolves team loaded with talent. The band was back together. But then, Flip Saunders tragically passed away and the buffer between Garnett and team owner, Glen Taylor, was gone. 

The Big Ticket still harbored resentment for how the team handled his departure years earlier and then the transition of power after Flip passing. When Tom Thibodeau came onboard, Garnett took it a step further by saying Glen Taylor “doesn’t know shit about basketball“. This is definitely one of the more bitter breakups the Minnesota Sports scene has ever seen.

Player’s Status: Garnett is still very bitter and has no contact with Glen Taylor. He does still come around town every once in a while, which makes things really awkward for everybody else when they run into each other in public.

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Timberwolves legend Kevin Garnett says #Twolves owner Glen Taylor 'Doesn't know sh!t about basketball'

welcome back, NBA

(via @clippittv) pic.twitter.com/Stjls4CdE8

— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) October 17, 2018

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David Ortiz

This is the perfect “I’m not ready for a long term relationship”.

Long ago, David Ortiz was a frustrating prospect for the Twins. He showed great power but struggled to play the “Twins way”. He wanted to hit bombs and the Twins wanted him to hit to the opposite field. He was deemed expendable by Tom Kelly and Terry Ryan so they designated him for assignment, essentially opening the doors to any team willing to give him a Major League contract.

Long story short, Ortiz went to Boston and became a (future) Hall of Famer. And he definitely still hates the Twins. Ortiz might be the most humiliating break up on this list, considering what he did in the playoffs over his career and just the amount of damage he did to the Twins after he left.

Big Papi single-handedly brought Boston a World Series, and seemed eager to prove the Twins made a mistake in getting rid of him. He’s only now known as one of the most clutch playoff performers of all time. We gave him away for nothing. I will also never forgive the Twins for this one, but Ortiz has tormented them enough for it by himself.

Player’s Status: Both sides don’t talk, with one side still super bitter. Ortiz calls out the Twins whenever he can. Probably going to stay that way.

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Easily the greatest “one that got away” in Twins history –

David Ortiz turns 43 today. In 6 seasons with the Minnesota Twins:

(455 GP): .266/.348/.461, 108 2B, 58 HR, 238 RBI. pic.twitter.com/MJuXOot0uq

— Ex Twins News (@Ex_Twins_News) November 18, 2018

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The Minnesota Northstars Themselves

Remember when Minnesota literally broke up with a hockey team?

And the team got everything. All was good in the State of Hockey, but then Norm Green got involved. The Wild Northstars were in need of a new arena (or massive improvements to their current one) and when the current ownership group didn’t get what they wanted they sold the team. Norm Green (who seems like a great guy) came strutting in and he kept the team in Minnesota for a little while…

But then he packed the team up and left for Dallas. He took the team, the logo, the players, and all of their beautiful history with him and left Minnesota empty. Then in 1997 someone new came along. Not quite the same as the first love interest, but Minnesota and the Northstars Wild both seem very happy with each other.

While results recently haven’t been as good as the early years, it just feels right to have hockey in Dallas Minnesota. The Dallas Stars will always be the one that got away. Oh yeah, they won a Stanley Cup trophy shortly after leaving too, so we can hate them for that.

Team’s Status: Both sides are happy where they are, but will always be linked because of their past. 

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Not forgotten, #NorthStars still have a spot in Minnesota's heart. STORY by @BlountStrib >> https://t.co/3wRhEQexgO pic.twitter.com/VzDYAw9nYC

— Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) April 18, 2016

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Honorable Mentions

Stephon Marbury

Chuck Knoblauch

Marian Gaborik

Johan Santana

Kevin Love

Adrian Peterson

Alex Tuch

Minneapolis Lakers

Percy Harvin

There are SEVERAL. Minnesota sports teams are good at 2 things. Losing, and shipping off top players. Sorry if I’ve ruined your Valentine’s Day but this winter has turned me bitter and misery loves company. 

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valentines day, single, forever alone pic.twitter.com/NybjD1IEOm

— ? Buzz Featured (@BuzzFeaturedNow) February 14, 2019

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Seth Toupal | Minnesota Sports Fan

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