Last Updated on Wednesday, 06 March 2013 14:32
The Minnesota Fighting Saints, a pro hockey team in the World Hockey Association from 1972-76, will hold a reunion at the 24th annual Let’s Play Hockey Expo at the St. Paul RiverCentre. Former Saints players and coaches will sign autographs in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame booth on Saturday, March 9 from 12-2 p.m., at the Expo.
Marquee players expected to attend the reunion include Dave Keon, Lefty Curran, Henry Boucha, Bill Butters and Ted Hampson, along with former coach Glen Sonmor
Based in St. Paul, the Fighting Saints played their games at the iconic St. Paul Civic Center. They were one of the 12 original World Hockey Association teams that started in 1972 and played five seasons before disbanding following the 1976-77 season.
During their five-year run, the Fighting Saints never had a losing record and attracted fans from all over the state of Minnesota while competing for fans with the NHL’s Minnesota North Stars. A large part of the team’s success has been attributed to their drafting of local players. During their first season, the team had a policy of having no fewer than 11 Minnesotans on the team at all times. This was largely unheard of at the time as most teams in the WHA had few or no Americans on their rosters.
The memorable Fighting Saints logo is still widely recognized in the State of Hockey to this day.
Following is a list of players who are scheduled to sign autographs at the Expo:
| Mike Antonovich | Wayne Belisle |
| Henry Boucha | Bill Butters |
| Jack Carlson | Lefty Curran |
| Gary Gambucci | John Garrett |
| Ted Hampson | Dave Keon |
| George Konik | Jack McCartan |
| Mike McMahon | Bill Rhody |
| Craig Sarner | Glen Sonmor |
| Pat Westrum | Carl Wetzel |
