Top 5 One-Hit Wonders in Minnesota Wild History

A one-hit wonder by definition is a person or performer who is successful only for a brief time. The Minnesota Wild, like all sports teams, have rostered players for a short time who found success, but had their star burn out quickly or left for one reason or another.

As a fan of the Minnesota Wild, it is fun going to a game and seeing fellow Wild diehards rocking their obscure jerseys of players from years past. You can tell a lot about another fan by the name that they proudly wear on their back as they faithfully cheer on our boys.

I remember attending game a few years back when Wild played the Colorado Avalanche. I was in line with an Avs fan wearing a Theoren Fleury jersey. I had to let him know how awesome his sweater was, and also how much I hate the Avalanche.

Seeing an Owen Nolan or Andrei Zyuzin jersey while standing in line at the concession stand, usually results in conversations about random moments in Wild history. Walking into a visiting stadium sporting a Josh Harding jersey, I usually catch the ire of strangers as they recall “Hards” highlight reel saves, but express their respect due to the tragic end of his career.

No matter the situation, it is enjoyable taking a stroll down memory lane, recalling the different players that have worn a Wild sweater. Some players in their brief time with the Wild were simply amazing for a short time and should be looked at as one hit wonders.

Here are the top 5 one-hit wonders in Minnesota Wild history. Sadly, if you do not know some of the names on this list, you probably were not cheering for the Wild during their time with the team.

4. Martin Havlat

Martin Havlat was acquired on July 1, 2009, signing a six year, $30 million contract although he only played two of those season with the Wild. Havlat was brought in to inject speed and scoring into a stale and slow Minnesota Wild attack. He did not disappoint.

Coming fresh off of a 77 point season with the Chicago Blackhawks (and a trip to the Western Conference Finals), Havlat was a focal point in Chicago’s young and talented offense. After failing to reach an agreement with the Hawks, Halvat joined the Wild.

During his two seasons in Saint Paul, Havlat scored 40 goals, 76 assists, and 116 points. His second season with the team , he led the club in scoring with a 22-40-62 stat line, while wearing an “A” on his sweater.

That off-season, Havlat was traded to San Jose for Dany Heatley, which did not work out well for the Wild. Thank you, Chuck Fletcher.

Havlat will be remembered in Wild history for adding speed and his play-making ability to a team desperate for offense. For the most part, he filled the void during the post-Gaborik, pre-Parise years.

3. Cliff Ronning

OK Wild fans, time to go way back to the 2002-2003 season (half of the online bloggers and podcasters were still in diapers at this time), and before analytics were the focal point in analysis (sorry stat guy).

The team’s third year in existence, the Wild’s only trip to the Western Conference Finals. If not for Anaheim goalie Jean-Sébastien Giguère, the Wild would have most likely played New Jersey in what would have been one of the most boring Stanley Cup Final ever (think neutral zone trap vs Jacques Lemaire coached team).

That does not take away what the team had accomplished or what Cliff Ronning brought to the club that season.

At 36 years old, Ronning was second on the team in scoring (second to Marian Gaborik) with a 17-31-48 stat line. Considering the team was coached by Jacques Lemaire, and was a defense first team, these number are impressive.

Ronning also chipped in nine points in 17 playoff games. His leadership was evident on the ice and he brought Stanley Cup playoff/Final experience to the locker room. I will always remember Ronning centering Pavel Bure in Vancouver and almost winning the Cup in 1994, but his time with the Wild truly puts him in the one hit wonder category.

Great guy, fun to watch, and helped the team get “oh so close” to the greatest trophy in sports.

2. Alexandre Daigle

Alexandre Daigle was once labeled a “can’t miss” prospect and even drew comparisons to Mario Lemeiux. Prior to being drafted number one overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, Daigle amassed 247 point (including 80 goals) in two season in the QMJHL.

After a promising rookie season, Daigle’s game fell off and he eventually was traded multiple times, with each team never living up to his hype.

Daigle left the NHL for two years before signing with the Wild for the 2003-2004 season. His performance was an unexpected surprise as he led all scorers on the Wild that season with 20 goals, 31 assists, and 51 points (ironically matching his season high point totals from his rookie season).

He was a Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy Finalist that year, for dedication and perseverance to the sport of hockey.

Daigle stayed for one more season but came back down to earth, scoring 28 points in 46 games. Daigle’s time with the Wild may have helped remove the label of “NHL’s biggest draft bust all-time”.

I personally was excited when Daigle signed with Minnesota, being both a Wild and Daigle fan it was pretty cool. After his time with the team he played six season in the National League (Switzerland), and faded away from the NHL spotlight.

Honorable Mentions

With so many players coming and going it is hard to slim the list down to just five. Honorable mentions for this Top 5 list (in no particular order) include;

• Owen Nolan- His leadership, goal scoring ability, and toughness brought Wild fans to their feet for two seasons. He also wore the “C” during his tenure.
• Mark Parrish- The Bloomington, MN native and Aquarius was a fan favorite during his time with the team. Scored 35 goals during his two seasons with the team.
• Devin Setoguchi- Was brought in to replace the speed lost when the Wild traded Havlat to San Jose. The skilled speedster scored 32 goals in two short seasons with the team. Was hard to stop during his time with San Jose and being centered by Joe Thornton.
• Thomas Vanek- The former Gopher was brought in to take the team to the next level. Considered a disappointment by many, Vanek 39 goals in two season with the Wild, before his departure. Overpriced? Sure. Were Wild fans excited when he was brought in? Yep.

1. Pavol Demitra

Pavol Demitra joined the Minnesota Wild via trade with the Los Angeles Kings on June 24, 2006. His presence was immediately felt as he led the team with 64 points in 71 games. The following season he finished fourth on the team with 54 points in 64 games.

During the 2006-2007 season he was a part of the leadership group, wearing an “A” on most nights, but also rotated with teammates as he donned the Captain “C”.

Demitra was loved by his teammates and fans, but was on the Wild for only two seasons. He signed with the Vancouver Canucks the following season. As most hockey fans know Demitra tragically passed away while playing for Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, of the KHL.

He was enjoying an extremely productive season (60 points in 54 games), when he and his entire team died in a plane crash.

Demitra was incredible and is number one on this list for his on-ice productivity, leadership, and impact on the team. He should have been with the team much longer than two seasons.