Minneapolis Mighty Millers
The Minneapolis Mighty Millers are a historic Minnesota club who played in many leagues from 1923 until 1961. They began in the AHA in 1923 and alternated between the CHL and the AHA over the years, capturing the AHA championship in 1928 and 1937. They were coached by Hall of Famer Lyle Wright during their 1928 championship season. After a brief break during the war, they returned as a USHL franchise for the 1945-46 season, eventually winning the league in 1950. Minneapolis had three USHL teams at the time, with the Millers joining the Minneapolis Jerseys and Minneapolis Bermans.
After spending most of the 1950s in the USHL, the Millers were renamed the Denver Mavericks and transferred to the IHL for 1959-60. The Millers would stay in the IHL for three more seasons. In 1960-61, they won 50 games, headed by player/coach Ken Yackel, who led the team with 114 points. Yackel, a member of the 1952 Olympic squad, scored 312 points in three seasons with the Millers. He was eventually inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Despite a combined 96 victories and Yackel's points, the Millers were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round in both 1961 and 1962. They would finally achieve postseason success in 1963, reaching the Finals. This time, not only Yackel but also long-time IHL player and coach Moe Bartoli led the squad with 130 points. Unfortunately for the Millers, they were defeated in the championship game by the Fort Wayne Komets and folded after the season.
After spending most of the 1950s in the USHL, the Millers were renamed the Denver Mavericks and transferred to the IHL for 1959-60. The Millers would stay in the IHL for three more seasons. In 1960-61, they won 50 games, headed by player/coach Ken Yackel, who led the team with 114 points. Yackel, a member of the 1952 Olympic squad, scored 312 points in three seasons with the Millers. He was eventually inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Despite a combined 96 victories and Yackel's points, the Millers were eliminated from the playoffs in the first round in both 1961 and 1962. They would finally achieve postseason success in 1963, reaching the Finals. This time, not only Yackel but also long-time IHL player and coach Moe Bartoli led the squad with 130 points. Unfortunately for the Millers, they were defeated in the championship game by the Fort Wayne Komets and folded after the season.
