Dallas Stars
Encyclopedia
The Dallas Stars are a professional
ice hockey
team based in Dallas, Texas
. They are members of the Pacific Division
of the Western Conference
of the National Hockey League
(NHL). The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion
as the Minnesota North Stars
, based in Bloomington, Minnesota
. The franchise relocated to Dallas for the 1993–94 NHL season. The Stars played out of Reunion Arena
from their relocation until 2001, when the team moved less than 1.5 miles into the American Airlines Center
.
The Stars have won seven division titles in Dallas, two President's Trophies as the top regular season team in the NHL, the Western Conference
championship twice, and in 1998–99, the Stanley Cup
. Joe Nieuwendyk
won the Conn Smythe Trophy
as the most valuable player of the playoffs that year.
In 2000, Neal Broten
was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame
. In 2009, Brett Hull
became the first Dallas Stars player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
, followed by Ed Belfour
and Joe Nieuwendyk in 2011. In 2010, brothers Derian
and Kevin Hatcher
were inducted to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame
.
. Home games were played at the newly-constructed Metropolitan Sports Center ("Met Center") in Bloomington, Minnesota
. Initially successful both on the ice and at the gate, the North Stars fell victim to financial problems after several poor seasons in the mid-1970s.
In 1978, the North Stars were purchased by the owners of the Cleveland Barons
(formerly the California Golden Seals
), the Gund brothers, George III and Gordon. With both on the verge of folding, the NHL permitted the two failing franchises to merge. The merged team continued as the Minnesota North Stars, but assumed the Barons’ place in the Adams Division
. The merger brought with it a number of talented players, and the North Stars were revived—they reached the Stanley Cup
Finals in 1981, where they lost in five games to the New York Islanders
. However, by the early 1990s, declining attendance and the inability to secure a new downtown revenue-generating arena led ownership to request permission to move the team to the San Francisco Bay Area
in 1990. The NHL rejected the request and instead agreed to award an expansion franchise
, the San Jose Sharks
, to the Gund brothers. The North Stars were sold to a group of investors that were originally looking to place a team in San Jose, although one of the group's members, Norman Green, would eventually gain control of the team. In the following season, the Minnesota North Stars
made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, only to lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins
.
In 1993, amid further attendance woes and bitter personal controversy, Green obtained permission to move the team to Dallas, Texas. Green was convinced by former Dallas Cowboys
quarterback Roger Staubach
that Dallas would be a suitable market for an NHL team. The NHL, to quell the controversy, promised the fans of Minnesota a return in the future with a new franchise; that promise was fulfilled in 2000 when Minnesota was awarded the Minnesota Wild
as an expansion franchise. The Stars would move into Reunion Arena
, built in 1980, the downtown arena already occupied by the Dallas Mavericks
.
The Stars played their first game in Dallas on October 5, 1993, a 6-4 win against the Detroit Red Wings
. Dallas was an experiment for the NHL. At that time, the Stars would be one of the three southern-most teams in the NHL, along with the newly created Tampa Bay Lightning
and Florida Panthers
as the NHL's first real ventures into southern non-traditional hockey markets. Though the Stars were relatively still unknown, word of the team spread rapidly, and the immediate success of the team on the ice, as well as Mike Modano
's career best season (50 goals, 93 points) helped spur the team's popularity in Dallas. The Stars set franchise bests in wins (42) and points (97) in their first season in Texas, qualifying for the 1994 playoffs
. The Stars further shocked the hockey world by sweeping the St. Louis Blues in the first round, but lost to the eventual Western Conference Champion Vancouver Canucks
in the second round. The Stars' success in their first season, along with American superstar Mike Modano's spectacular on ice performances would be an integral part of the Stars' eventual franchise success in the immediate years to come.
Green, who had run into financial problems stemming from his business ventures outside of hockey, was forced to sell the team to businessman Tom Hicks
in December 1995.
along with Rick Mrozik
to the Washington Capitals
before the season began for Kevin Hatcher
. Long time North Stars hold-over Neal Broten
was named his replacement, although he was traded too after only 17 games to the New Jersey Devils
. Broten was replaced by Kevin's younger brother Derian Hatcher
as team captain, a role he would serve in for the next decade. The Stars played only 48 games that season posting a record of 17-23-8. Despite the shortened season and the losing record, the Stars again made the playoffs, losing in five games to the Red Wings in the first round.
1995-96
would be the first complete season under new owner Tom Hicks. In the offseason, the Stars traded for former Montreal Canadiens' captain and three time Selke Trophy winner Guy Carbonneau
who was then with the St. Louis Blues. With the Stars struggling to begin the season, GM and head coach Bob Gainey
traded for center Joe Nieuwendyk
from the Calgary Flames
for Corey Millen
and Jarome Iginla
, then a Stars prospect. The Stars recorded only 11 wins in the first half of the season, and head coach Bob Gainey
relinquished his coaching duties in January to be the full time General Manager for the team. The Stars soon hired Michigan K-Wings head coach Ken Hitchcock
to replace him. It would be his first NHL head coaching position. The Stars traded for Benoit Hogue
from Toronto late in the season, but finished in 6th place in the Central division, missing the playoffs for the first time since moving to Texas.
In the 1996 off-season, the Stars continued to revamp their roster, adding defensemen Sergei Zubov
from Pittsburgh for Kevin Hatcher and Darryl Sydor
from Los Angeles. Zubov would serve as the Stars #1 defenseman and powerplay quarterback until leaving the NHL in 2009. On the ice, Hitchcock's first season proved to be a good one. The Stars bested their 1994 totals posting 48 wins, and topping 100 points for the first time in franchise history. The Stars won the Central Division
, their first division title since 1983-84 (when they were the Minnesota North Stars
) and were seeded 2nd in the '97 Playoffs
. Despite the regular season success, the youthful Stars were upset in the first round by Edmonton
in seven games. Defenseman Grant Ledyard
tripped in overtime of game seven allowing Todd Marchant
to score the game and series winning goal on a breakaway against Andy Moog
.
In the 1997 off-season, the Stars signed star goaltender Ed Belfour
as a free agent after a well publicized falling out with the San Jose Sharks, who had traded a number of players to Chicago
to obtain him in January in the previous season. Andy Moog was allowed to leave via free agency, but later returned to the Stars as an assistant coach. The 1997-98 season
was another banner year for the Stars. The Stars again set franchise records in wins (49) and points (109). Dallas acquired Mike Keane
at the deadline from the New York Rangers
. The Stars won the franchise's first President's Trophy as the league's best regular season team, and the Central division for the second season in a row. Belfour set franchise season records for GAA (1.88), wins (37), and just missed out on the Jennings Trophy by one goal to Martin Brodeur
(NJD). The Stars were the first overall seed for the 1998 Stanley Cup Playoffs
and defeated the eighth seeded Sharks in six games in the first round. Notorious NHL hitman Bryan Marchment
injured Joe Nieuwendyk's right knee however, and was lost for the rest of the season with torn ligaments. In the second round they again met the Edmonton Oilers, this time defeating them in five games. Without Nieuwendyk, the Stars lacked the firepower to beat the defending champion Red Wings in the Western Conference Finals, and lost in six games. The Red Wings went on to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup.
. Hull had already had a magnificent career with the St. Louis Blues, with three consecutive 70 goal seasons and a Hart Trophy, but a fallout with management led Hull to leave the Blues for Free Agency. This was the first season for the Stars in the Pacific Division
after the 1998 NHL division re-alignment.
The Stars 1998-99 season was excellent. The Stars won 51 games, surpassing the 50 win mark for the first time in franchise history. They also recorded 114 points, which still stands today as a franchise record. They won the Pacific Division
by 24 points, their third consecutive division title, second consecutive President's trophy, Jennings Trophy as the league's top defensive team, and were awarded the #1 overall seed in the 1999 Stanley Cup Playoffs
. Winger Jere Lehtinen
was awarded the Selke Trophy.
In the first round of the playoffs, they faced arch-rival Edmonton
. The Stars swept the Oilers in four tough games, winning game four in the third overtime on a goal by Joe Nieuwendyk
. They then faced the St. Louis Blues. After taking a 2 game lead, the Blues stormed back to tie the series, 2-2. The Stars then won the next two games to beat the Blues in six games. The series again ended on an overtime goal, this time by Mike Modano. In the Conference Finals, they faced the Colorado Avalanche
for the first time in Stars history. This would be the first of four playoff meetings between the Stars and Avalanche in the next 7 years. After the Avalanche won game five 7-5 taking a 3-2 series lead, The Stars rallied winning game six on the road, and game seven at home, both by 4-1 scores.
This was the Stars' first Stanley Cup Finals appearance as the Dallas Stars, although they made the finals twice as the Minnesota North Stars
. They faced the Eastern Conference champion Buffalo Sabres
who had defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs
4-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals. After splitting the first four games, the Stars vaunted defense would hold the Sabres to only one goal in the next two, winning game five 2-0, and game six 2-1 on an overtime goal by Hall of Fame winger Brett Hull
. Hull's goal at 14:51 of the third overtime was remembered as one of the most controversial goals ever scored. That season the NHL had the infamous "Crease Rule" in effect, which stated that if any player of the attacking team who did not have possession of the puck was in the crease before the puck, then any resulting goal was disallowed. Hull had initially gained possession of the puck outside the crease and had made an initial shot that was blocked by the Buffalo goaltender. One of Hull's skates entered the crease as he corralled the rebound, and Hull's second shot scored the Cup-winning goal, and an immediate celebration ensued, followed by a lengthy review. After that review, the goal was allowed to stand because having simply blocked Hull's shot, rather than catching it, the Buffalo netminder never took possession of the puck away from Hull; since this made Hull's possession of the puck continuous back to before his first shot (when he was outside the crease), the goal was legal. However, the complexity of the "Crease Rule," and the attendant difficulties in understanding its application by fans and players alike, combined with the controversy arising out of the disputed Cup-winning goal, resulted in the crease rule being repealed the following season. Hull's goal was the 13th time a Stanley Cup winning goal was scored in overtime, and only the fourth to be scored in multiple overtimes. This was the only time between 1995
and 2003
that a team other than the New Jersey Devils
, Colorado Avalanche
, and Detroit Red Wings
won the Stanley Cup.
The team added veterans Kirk Muller
, Dave Manson
, and Sylvain Cote
to try to defend their Stanley Cup championship in . On December 31, 1999, Brett Hull scored his 600 and 601st career goals in a 5-4 win over the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. The Stars won the Pacific division for the second year in a row, and were seeded #2 in the Western Conference. Dallas defeated Edmonton and San Jose in the first and second rounds in five games a piece. The Stars, for the second season in a row defeated the Colorado Avalanche
in the Western Conference Finals in seven games to reach their second consecutive Stanley Cup Finals where they met the New Jersey Devils
. Because the Devils finished the regular season with one more point than Dallas, the Stars had to play their first playoff series without home ice advantage since 1995. The Stars lost all three games in Reunion Arena in the finals, and lost the series in game six on a double-overtime goal by New Jersey Forward Jason Arnott
.
was promoted to Assistant General Manager for Player Development (he kept his job as goaltending coach), and former player Ulf Dahlen
was hired as an assistant coach. The Stars allowed center Jason Arnott
, defenseman Willie Mitchell and goaltender Johan Hedberg
to leave as free agents
. Forward Niko Kapanen
was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers
and the remaining two years on fan-favorite right-winger
Bill Guerin
's contract were bought out. The Stars also received Patrik Stefan
and Jaroslav Modry
in the Atlanta trade, and signed Eric Lindros
, Jeff Halpern
, Matthew Barnaby
and Darryl Sydor
as free agents. Young goaltender Mike Smith was promoted to the NHL to serve as Marty Turco's backup.
On September 29, 2006, Brenden Morrow
was announced as new team captain, taking the "C" from Mike Modano
, who had served in the role since 2003. Jere Lehtinen
is the last Minnesota North Star still with the franchise, although Lehtinen never wore a Minnesota North Stars jersey; he was drafted by the club while it was still in Minnesota.
During the season, key future pieces, center Mike Ribeiro
, and defenseman Mattias Norstrom
were added through separate trades. Young players Joel Lundqvist
, Krys Barch
, Nicklas Grossman
, Chris Conner
all saw significant ice time while other players were out of the lineup with injuries.
On January 24, 2007, the 55th National Hockey League All-Star Game
was held at the American Airlines Center. Defenseman Philippe Boucher
and goaltender Marty Turco
would represent the Stars as part of the Western Conference All-Star roster.
On March 13, 2007, Mike Modano
scored his 500th career NHL goal, making him only the 39th player and 2nd American to ever reach 500 goals. On March 17, 2007, Modano scored his 502nd and 503rd NHL goals, breaking the record for an American-born player previously held by Joe Mullen
.
The Stars qualified for the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Western conference and squared off against the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the playoffs. Goaltender Marty Turco delivered three shutout wins—in games 2, 5 and 6—but the Stars' offense failed to capitalize and they lost the series in seven games. This was the third season in a row that the Stars lost in the first round.
season, General Manager Doug Armstrong was fired by the team. He was replaced by an unusual "Co-General Manager" arrangement of former assistant GM Les Jackson
and former Stars player Brett Hull
. On November 8, 2007, Mike Modano became the top American born point scorer of all time finishing off a shorthanded breakaway opportunity on San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov
.
On February 26, 2008 just hours before the trade deadline, the Stars traded for All-Star center Brad Richards
from the Tampa Bay Lightning
for backup netminder Mike Smith, and forwards Jussi Jokinen
, and Jeff Halpern
. The Stars rallied to a final record of 45-30-7 and qualified for the playoffs as the fifth seed matching up with the defending champion Anaheim Ducks in the first round. After a rough end to the season, only winning two games in March of that year, the Stars shocked everyone by winning the first two games of the series in Anaheim, and then would go on to finish off the Ducks in six games, their first playoff series win since 2003. In the second round, the Stars matched up with the Pacific division champion San Jose Sharks
. Once again the Stars surprised everyone by winning the first two games of the series on the road. In game two, center Brad Richards tied an NHL record by recording 4 points in the third period. The Stars would then take a 3-0 lead after a Mattias Norstrom
overtime goal in game 3. Captain Brenden Morrow finished the Sharks off in game 6 with a powerplay goal nearly half way into the fourth overtime. The win sent the Stars to their first Conference Finals since 2000, and met the powerhouse Detroit Red Wings
. After falling behind three games to none, the Stars made a series of it winning two games before finally being ousted by the Red Wings in six games.
to an ACL tear. Off-season free agent acquisition Sean Avery
caused a media uproar over comments he made to a Canadian reporter about ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert
and her then-current relationship with Flames' defenseman Dion Phaneuf
before a game in Calgary. The incident caused the team to suspend Avery for the season; he was later waived by the Stars. That incident, plus injuries to the lineup including Brad Richards
and Sergei Zubov
caused the Stars to tailspin to a 12th place finish, and the first missed playoffs for Dallas since 2002.
In the wake of the season, the Stars hired a new general manager—former player and alternate captain Joe Nieuwendyk
. Hull and Jackson remained with the Stars and were re-assigned to new roles within the organization. Less than a week after he was hired, Nieuwendyk fired six-season head coach Dave Tippett
on June 10, 2009, and hired Marc Crawford
the next day. Other off-season moves included the addition of Charlie Huddy
as assistant coach in charge of defense and the promotions of Stu Barnes
and Andy Moog
to assistant coach.
The Stars' 2009-10 season was similar to the previous one. Inconsistent play and defensive struggles plagued the team throughout the season as they failed to adjust to Crawford's new offensively-minded system, and owner Tom Hicks' financial troubles prevented the team from spending more than $45 million on payroll, over $11 million beneath the league salary cap. The Stars failed to win more than three games in a row all season, finished in last in the Pacific Division, and repeated their 12th place conference finish from the year before with a record of 37-31-14 for 88 points. This was the first time that they would miss the playoffs two seasons in a row since the Stars moved to Texas. In the offseason longtime goaltender Marty Turco was let go in favor of Kari Lehtonen
to be the team's #1 goaltender for the future. In the last game of the season in Minnesota, Mike Modano was named the game's #1 star and skated around the rink after the game wearing his North Stars uniform, receiving a rousing ovation.
and Mike Modano, the face of the franchise for the past two decades. Modano then signed with the Detroit Red Wings
and Turco joined the Chicago Blackhawks
. Winger Jere Lehtinen, who played his entire career with the Stars, announced his retirement in December 2010. The team also made key acquisitions, such as winger Adam Burish
(who was on the 2010 Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks), and goalie Andrew Raycroft
. They also gave Johnathan Cheechoo a try-out, but was he cut and later signed with division rival San Jose Sharks
.
To begin the 2010 season, the Stars won their first three games, going 3-0-0 for the first time since the 2007-08 season by beating the New Jersey Devils in OT, New York Islanders in a shootout, and against Mike Modano and the Red Wings. During the third game against the Wings, the Stars crowd gave Modano a standing ovation as he was shown on the Jumbotron.
After a hot start to the season, the Stars dominated the first half of the season, staying on the Pacific Division lead and staying in the top three spots of the conference. It seemed like the old Stars were back, as through the first half of the season, they went 30-15-6. But after the All-Star Game, the Stars went on a landslide, going on numerous losing streaks and blowing games. Through this though, the Stars still remained in the playoff picture. On the day of the trade deadline, the Stars traded James Neal and Matt Niskanen
to the Pittsburgh Penguins
for defenseman Alex Goligoski
. After an awful 2nd half, the Stars still had a chance to make the playoffs, by winning all their games in April. They won all of them except for last, as they lost to the Minnesota Wild
5-3, costing them a playoff spot.
After missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season, Dallas fired coach Crawford on April 12, 2011.
On June 16, 2011, Dallas hired Glen Gulutzan to be head coach, making him the sixth coach since the franchise's move from Minnesota.
On September 21, 2011, Mike Modano announced his retirement from the NHL. It is likely that the Stars will retire his number (9) during the upcoming season.
of TSN
, the team has been "financially managed" by the NHL for over a year.
On September 13, 2011, lenders voted to agree to have the Stars file for bankruptcy and sold at auction.
On October 22, 2011, competing bids to buy the club were due. Vancouver businessman and Kamloops Blazers
owner Tom Gaglardi
's bid was the only one submitted, clearing the way for him to enter the final stages of taking over ownership of the team. Gaglardi's purchase was approved by the NHL Board of Governors on November 18, 2011.
A bankruptcy court judge approved the bid for an enterprise value of $240 million. First lien creditors got about 75 cents on the dollar. The Stars lost $38 million during their the last fiscal year and $92 million over the last three seasons.
As the new owner, Gaglardi's first move was bringing back former Stars president Jim Lites
to once again take the reins as team President & CEO.
from their relocation in 1993, until the club moved to the 18,500-seat American Airlines Center
in 2001. It has become tradition that the fans in attendance shout "Stars!" and "Star!" during the phrasing of the words as the National Anthem is sung. At games, as part of the entertainment, a Kahlenberg KDT-123 fog horn sounds after every Stars goal, followed by the song "The Whip" by Locksley. A song called "The Darkness Music" plays after nearly every away goal. The "Dallas Stars Fight Song", recorded by Pantera
, is played when the Stars hit the ice after every intermission. After each Stars win the Stevie Ray Vaughan
song "The House is Rockin" is played.
under a five-year deal announced in January 2009. KTCK replaced WBAP, which had broadcast games since the team's relocation from Minnesota in 1993. Television coverage occurs primarily on Fox Sports Southwest (FSN), with KTXA
(Channel 21) broadcasting games when FSSW has a conflict.
The Stars are one of only three NHL teams to simulcast
the entirety of their games on TV and radio, which the team has done since their 1993 arrival in Dallas. The broadcast team features the popular duo of "Ralph and Razor" -- play-by-play announcer Ralph Strangis
and color commentator Daryl "Razor" Reaugh
. Although both the DFW-area's large media market and the team's fan base could theoretically support separate television and radio broadcast teams, the Stars have continued simulcasting due to Strangis and Reaugh's popularity among local listeners and viewers. Like other NHL teams, the Stars now have a live radio broadcast of the duo transmitted inside American Airlines Center on 97.5 FM. This is done because AM radio signals often cannot penetrate concrete and steel building exteriors.
affiliate of the Dallas Stars, who after becoming unaffiliated with the Iowa Stars of the AHL, did not have an AHL affiliate for the 2008-09 season. The Texas Stars
began play in the AHL in the 2009-10 season. They are located in Cedar Park, Texas
(Northwest of Austin
).
are the Stars' ECHL
affiliate. Based in Boise
, the Steelheads have played home games in CenturyLink Arena Boise since 2003.
are an ice hockey team and Central Hockey League
(CHL) affiliate of the Dallas Stars, which began play in the 2009–10 season. They play home games at the Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas
.
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
and Oakland Seals
for a list of franchise Hockey Hall of Fame
members.
, RW, 1967–77, number retired February 15, 1992 19 Bill Masterton
, C, 1967–68, number retired January 17, 1987 99 Wayne Gretzky
, C
Note: Goldsworthy and Masterton played exclusively for the Minnesota North Stars, while Broten's NHL career started with the North Stars and concluded with the Stars. Wayne Gretzky's number was retired throughout the National Hockey League
.
Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; * = current Stars player
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. They are members of the Pacific Division
Pacific Division (NHL)
The National Hockey League's Pacific Division is one of three divisions that make up the Western Conference. It was formed in 1993 as part of a league realignment...
of the Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL). The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion
1967 NHL expansion
The National Hockey League undertook a major expansion for the 1967–68 season, adding six new franchises to double the size of the league. This marked the first change in the composition of the league since 1942, when the Brooklyn Americans folded. Thus, the expansion ended the era of the Original...
as the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
, based in Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota in Hennepin County. Located on the north bank of the Minnesota River above its confluence with the Mississippi River, Bloomington lies at the heart of the southern...
. The franchise relocated to Dallas for the 1993–94 NHL season. The Stars played out of Reunion Arena
Reunion Arena
Reunion Arena was an indoor arena, in the Reunion district of downtown Dallas, Texas . It held 18,293 for basketball and 17,001 for ice hockey.It was demolished in November 2009 and the site was cleared by the end of the year.-History:...
from their relocation until 2001, when the team moved less than 1.5 miles into the American Airlines Center
American Airlines Center
The American Airlines Center is a multi-purpose arena, located in the Victory Park neighborhood, near downtown Dallas, Texas.It is home to the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, and the Dallas Stars of the NHL....
.
The Stars have won seven division titles in Dallas, two President's Trophies as the top regular season team in the NHL, the Western Conference
Western Conference (NHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
championship twice, and in 1998–99, the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
. Joe Nieuwendyk
Joe Nieuwendyk
Joseph Nieuwendyk is the general manager of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League and a retired Canadian ice hockey player...
won the Conn Smythe Trophy
Conn Smythe Trophy
The Conn Smythe Trophy is awarded annually to the player judged most valuable to his team during the National Hockey League's Stanley Cup playoffs. The Conn Smythe Trophy has been awarded 46 times to 40 players since the 1964–65 NHL season...
as the most valuable player of the playoffs that year.
In 2000, Neal Broten
Neal Broten
Neal LaMoy Broten is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played on the gold medal-winning "Miracle on Ice" hockey team in 1980, and in 1,099 NHL regular season games from 1981 – 1997 with the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings...
was inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame
United States Hockey Hall of Fame
The United States Hockey Hall of Fame was established in 1973 with the goal of preserving the rich history of the game in the United States while recognizing the extraordinary contributions of select players, coaches, administrators, officials and teams....
. In 2009, Brett Hull
Brett Hull
Brett Andrew Hull is a former Canadian-American NHL player and the former Executive Vice President of the Dallas Stars. He is the son of Bobby Hull and nephew of Dennis Hull, both former NHL players. Hull is also known as "The Golden Brett," which is a play off of his father's nickname, "The...
became the first Dallas Stars player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
, followed by Ed Belfour
Ed Belfour
Edward John Belfour is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender.Belfour was born in Carman, Manitoba and grew up playing hockey. He played junior hockey for the Winkler Flyers before going to the University of North Dakota where he helped the school win the NCAA championship in the...
and Joe Nieuwendyk in 2011. In 2010, brothers Derian
Derian Hatcher
Derian Hatcher is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers...
and Kevin Hatcher
Kevin Hatcher
Kevin John Hatcher is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the NHL for 17 seasons between 1984 and 2001 for the Washington Capitals, Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes...
were inducted to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame
United States Hockey Hall of Fame
The United States Hockey Hall of Fame was established in 1973 with the goal of preserving the rich history of the game in the United States while recognizing the extraordinary contributions of select players, coaches, administrators, officials and teams....
.
1967–1993: Minnesota years
The Minnesota North Stars began play in 1967 as part of the NHL's six-team expansion1967 NHL expansion
The National Hockey League undertook a major expansion for the 1967–68 season, adding six new franchises to double the size of the league. This marked the first change in the composition of the league since 1942, when the Brooklyn Americans folded. Thus, the expansion ended the era of the Original...
. Home games were played at the newly-constructed Metropolitan Sports Center ("Met Center") in Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota in Hennepin County. Located on the north bank of the Minnesota River above its confluence with the Mississippi River, Bloomington lies at the heart of the southern...
. Initially successful both on the ice and at the gate, the North Stars fell victim to financial problems after several poor seasons in the mid-1970s.
In 1978, the North Stars were purchased by the owners of the Cleveland Barons
Cleveland Barons (NHL)
The Cleveland Barons were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1976–78. They were a relocation of the California Golden Seals franchise, which had played in Oakland since 1967...
(formerly the California Golden Seals
California Golden Seals
The California Golden Seals were a team in the National Hockey League from 1967–76. Initially named California Seals, the team was renamed Oakland Seals part-way through the 1967–68 season, and then to California Golden Seals in 1970. The Seals were one of six teams added to the league as part of...
), the Gund brothers, George III and Gordon. With both on the verge of folding, the NHL permitted the two failing franchises to merge. The merged team continued as the Minnesota North Stars, but assumed the Barons’ place in the Adams Division
Adams Division
The NHL's Adams Division was formed in 1974 as part of the Prince of Wales Conference. The division existed for 19 seasons until 1993. It was named in honor of Charles Francis Adams, the founder of the Boston Bruins...
. The merger brought with it a number of talented players, and the North Stars were revived—they reached the Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
Finals in 1981, where they lost in five games to the New York Islanders
New York Islanders
The New York Islanders are a professional ice hockey team based in Uniondale, New York. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. However, by the early 1990s, declining attendance and the inability to secure a new downtown revenue-generating arena led ownership to request permission to move the team to the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
in 1990. The NHL rejected the request and instead agreed to award an expansion franchise
Expansion team
An expansion team is a brand new team in a sports league. The term is most commonly used in reference to the North American major professional sports leagues, but is applied to sports leagues worldwide that use a closed franchise system of league membership. The term comes from the expansion of the...
, the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
, to the Gund brothers. The North Stars were sold to a group of investors that were originally looking to place a team in San Jose, although one of the group's members, Norman Green, would eventually gain control of the team. In the following season, the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
made it to the Stanley Cup Finals, only to lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
.
1993: Relocation to Dallas
After the 1991 season, the North Stars suffered through poor attendance and profitability. New owner Norm Green explored the possibility of moving the team to Anaheim, however the NHL decided instead to place the expansion Mighty Ducks there in 1992. In their final two seasons in Minnesota, the team adopted a new logo which omitted the "North" from "North Stars," leading many fans to anticipate the team moving.In 1993, amid further attendance woes and bitter personal controversy, Green obtained permission to move the team to Dallas, Texas. Green was convinced by former Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
quarterback Roger Staubach
Roger Staubach
Roger Thomas Staubach is a businessman, Heisman Trophy winner and legendary Hall of Fame former quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys from 1969 until 1979. Staubach was instrumental in developing the Cowboys into becoming one of the best teams of the 1970s and led the team to nine of the Cowboys'...
that Dallas would be a suitable market for an NHL team. The NHL, to quell the controversy, promised the fans of Minnesota a return in the future with a new franchise; that promise was fulfilled in 2000 when Minnesota was awarded the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
as an expansion franchise. The Stars would move into Reunion Arena
Reunion Arena
Reunion Arena was an indoor arena, in the Reunion district of downtown Dallas, Texas . It held 18,293 for basketball and 17,001 for ice hockey.It was demolished in November 2009 and the site was cleared by the end of the year.-History:...
, built in 1980, the downtown arena already occupied by the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
.
The Stars played their first game in Dallas on October 5, 1993, a 6-4 win against the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
. Dallas was an experiment for the NHL. At that time, the Stars would be one of the three southern-most teams in the NHL, along with the newly created Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
and Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
as the NHL's first real ventures into southern non-traditional hockey markets. Though the Stars were relatively still unknown, word of the team spread rapidly, and the immediate success of the team on the ice, as well as Mike Modano
Mike Modano
Michael Thomas Modano, Jr. is a retired American professional ice hockey player, who most notably played for the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise. He is the all-time goal-scoring and points leader amongst American-born players in the NHL, as well as the last active player in the NHL...
's career best season (50 goals, 93 points) helped spur the team's popularity in Dallas. The Stars set franchise bests in wins (42) and points (97) in their first season in Texas, qualifying for the 1994 playoffs
1994 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 1994 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began after the conclusion of the 1993–94 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the...
. The Stars further shocked the hockey world by sweeping the St. Louis Blues in the first round, but lost to the eventual Western Conference Champion Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in the second round. The Stars' success in their first season, along with American superstar Mike Modano's spectacular on ice performances would be an integral part of the Stars' eventual franchise success in the immediate years to come.
Green, who had run into financial problems stemming from his business ventures outside of hockey, was forced to sell the team to businessman Tom Hicks
Tom Hicks
Thomas Ollis Hicks, Sr. , is an American 'leveraged buyout' businessman living in Dallas, Texas. Despite Forbes Magazine estimating Hicks' wealth at USD 1 billion in 2009, Hicks was unable to pay off joint loans of circa £200 million the following year...
in December 1995.
1995-1998: Building for a championship
The 1994-95 season was shortened by an owners' lockout. The Stars traded captain Mark TinordiMark Tinordi
Mark D. Tinordi is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for twelve seasons between 1987–88 and 1998–99....
along with Rick Mrozik
Rick Mrozik
Richard Donald Mrozik is a retired American ice hockey player who played two games in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames in 2002–03. Mrozik was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the 6th round, 136th overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft...
to the Washington Capitals
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
before the season began for Kevin Hatcher
Kevin Hatcher
Kevin John Hatcher is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played in the NHL for 17 seasons between 1984 and 2001 for the Washington Capitals, Dallas Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Rangers and Carolina Hurricanes...
. Long time North Stars hold-over Neal Broten
Neal Broten
Neal LaMoy Broten is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played on the gold medal-winning "Miracle on Ice" hockey team in 1980, and in 1,099 NHL regular season games from 1981 – 1997 with the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings...
was named his replacement, although he was traded too after only 17 games to the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Broten was replaced by Kevin's younger brother Derian Hatcher
Derian Hatcher
Derian Hatcher is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers...
as team captain, a role he would serve in for the next decade. The Stars played only 48 games that season posting a record of 17-23-8. Despite the shortened season and the losing record, the Stars again made the playoffs, losing in five games to the Red Wings in the first round.
1995-96
1995-96 NHL season
The 1995–96 NHL season was the 79th regular season of the National Hockey League. The Stanley Cup winners were the Colorado Avalanche, who, in their first year as the Avalanche, swept the Florida Panthers in four games.-League business:...
would be the first complete season under new owner Tom Hicks. In the offseason, the Stars traded for former Montreal Canadiens' captain and three time Selke Trophy winner Guy Carbonneau
Guy Carbonneau
Guy Carbonneau is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League. He is also the president of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League 's Chicoutimi Saguenéens. He has two daughters Anne-Marie and Kristina, with wife Line Carbonneau. Anne-Marie married his former...
who was then with the St. Louis Blues. With the Stars struggling to begin the season, GM and head coach Bob Gainey
Bob Gainey
Robert Michael "Le Capitaine" Gainey is the former executive vice president and general manager of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . He is also a former professional ice hockey player who played for the Canadiens from 1973 until 1989...
traded for center Joe Nieuwendyk
Joe Nieuwendyk
Joseph Nieuwendyk is the general manager of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League and a retired Canadian ice hockey player...
from the Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
for Corey Millen
Corey Millen
Corey Eugene Millen is a retired American ice hockey center.-NHL:Millen played for the University of Minnesota after being selected by the New York Rangers in the 1982 NHL Entry draft....
and Jarome Iginla
Jarome Iginla
Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...
, then a Stars prospect. The Stars recorded only 11 wins in the first half of the season, and head coach Bob Gainey
Bob Gainey
Robert Michael "Le Capitaine" Gainey is the former executive vice president and general manager of the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League . He is also a former professional ice hockey player who played for the Canadiens from 1973 until 1989...
relinquished his coaching duties in January to be the full time General Manager for the team. The Stars soon hired Michigan K-Wings head coach Ken Hitchcock
Ken Hitchcock
Ken Hitchcock also known as "Hitch" is an NHL hockey coach and pro scout, currently coaching the St. Louis Blues.-Early Years:...
to replace him. It would be his first NHL head coaching position. The Stars traded for Benoit Hogue
Benoit Hogue
Benoît "Benny" Hogue is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey left wing. He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round, 35th overall, in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft....
from Toronto late in the season, but finished in 6th place in the Central division, missing the playoffs for the first time since moving to Texas.
In the 1996 off-season, the Stars continued to revamp their roster, adding defensemen Sergei Zubov
Sergei Zubov
Sergei Alexandrovich Zubov is a former Russian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Dallas Stars, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League as well as SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League...
from Pittsburgh for Kevin Hatcher and Darryl Sydor
Darryl Sydor
Darryl Marion Sydor is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He has won two Stanley Cups during his career; with the Dallas Stars in 1999 and with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004...
from Los Angeles. Zubov would serve as the Stars #1 defenseman and powerplay quarterback until leaving the NHL in 2009. On the ice, Hitchcock's first season proved to be a good one. The Stars bested their 1994 totals posting 48 wins, and topping 100 points for the first time in franchise history. The Stars won the Central Division
Central Division (NHL)
The NHL's Central Division was formed in 1993 as part of the Western Conference in a league realignment, the predecessor of which was the Norris Division.The Central Division consists of the Western Conference's easternmost teams.-Current lineup:...
, their first division title since 1983-84 (when they were the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
) and were seeded 2nd in the '97 Playoffs
1997 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 1997 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began in April, 1997, following the 1996–97 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-seven series for conference quarter-finals, semi-finals and championships, and then...
. Despite the regular season success, the youthful Stars were upset in the first round by Edmonton
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
in seven games. Defenseman Grant Ledyard
Grant Ledyard
Grant Stuart Ledyard is a former National Hockey League defenceman. He was never drafted in the NHL Entry Draft.Ledyard made his NHL debut in the 1984–85 season with the New York Rangers. A journeyman, he played with nine NHL teams during his career. He spent the most time with the Buffalo...
tripped in overtime of game seven allowing Todd Marchant
Todd Marchant
Todd Marchant is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League . He played nine seasons with the Edmonton Oilers and almost six seasons with the Anaheim Ducks, along with just over a season with the Columbus Blue Jackets and a game with the...
to score the game and series winning goal on a breakaway against Andy Moog
Andy Moog
Donald Andrew Moog is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently the goaltending coach for the NHL's Dallas Stars.Moog was previously the Dallas Stars' assistant coach...
.
In the 1997 off-season, the Stars signed star goaltender Ed Belfour
Ed Belfour
Edward John Belfour is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender.Belfour was born in Carman, Manitoba and grew up playing hockey. He played junior hockey for the Winkler Flyers before going to the University of North Dakota where he helped the school win the NCAA championship in the...
as a free agent after a well publicized falling out with the San Jose Sharks, who had traded a number of players to Chicago
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
to obtain him in January in the previous season. Andy Moog was allowed to leave via free agency, but later returned to the Stars as an assistant coach. The 1997-98 season
1997-98 NHL season
-Stanley Cup Final:The 1998 Stanley Cup Final was played in the 105th year of the Stanley Cup. The series was played between the Western Conference champion Detroit Red Wings and the Eastern Conference champion Washington Capitals. The Red Wings were led by Captain Steve Yzerman, Coach Scotty...
was another banner year for the Stars. The Stars again set franchise records in wins (49) and points (109). Dallas acquired Mike Keane
Mike Keane
Michael John Keane is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger. Undrafted, Keane played over 1100 games in the National Hockey League from 1988 until 2004, and then played five seasons for his hometown Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League until he retired in 2010...
at the deadline from the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
. The Stars won the franchise's first President's Trophy as the league's best regular season team, and the Central division for the second season in a row. Belfour set franchise season records for GAA (1.88), wins (37), and just missed out on the Jennings Trophy by one goal to Martin Brodeur
Martin Brodeur
Martin Pierre Brodeur is a French-Canadian ice hockey goaltender who has played his entire National Hockey League career with the New Jersey Devils. In his 19-year tenure with the Devils, he has won three Stanley Cup championships and has been in the playoffs every year but two...
(NJD). The Stars were the first overall seed for the 1998 Stanley Cup Playoffs
1998 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 1998 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began in April, 1998 following the 1997–98 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the...
and defeated the eighth seeded Sharks in six games in the first round. Notorious NHL hitman Bryan Marchment
Bryan Marchment
Bryan William Marchment is a former Canadian ice hockey defenceman. He spent his NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets, Chicago Blackhawks, Hartford Whalers, Edmonton Oilers, Tampa Bay Lightning, San Jose Sharks, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames...
injured Joe Nieuwendyk's right knee however, and was lost for the rest of the season with torn ligaments. In the second round they again met the Edmonton Oilers, this time defeating them in five games. Without Nieuwendyk, the Stars lacked the firepower to beat the defending champion Red Wings in the Western Conference Finals, and lost in six games. The Red Wings went on to win their second consecutive Stanley Cup.
Dominance in 1999, 2000, and a Stanley Cup – 2005
In the 1998 offseason, after falling just short in the Western Conference Finals, the Stars added what they believed was the final piece toward winning a championship: star goalscoring winger, Brett HullBrett Hull
Brett Andrew Hull is a former Canadian-American NHL player and the former Executive Vice President of the Dallas Stars. He is the son of Bobby Hull and nephew of Dennis Hull, both former NHL players. Hull is also known as "The Golden Brett," which is a play off of his father's nickname, "The...
. Hull had already had a magnificent career with the St. Louis Blues, with three consecutive 70 goal seasons and a Hart Trophy, but a fallout with management led Hull to leave the Blues for Free Agency. This was the first season for the Stars in the Pacific Division
Pacific Division (NHL)
The National Hockey League's Pacific Division is one of three divisions that make up the Western Conference. It was formed in 1993 as part of a league realignment...
after the 1998 NHL division re-alignment.
The Stars 1998-99 season was excellent. The Stars won 51 games, surpassing the 50 win mark for the first time in franchise history. They also recorded 114 points, which still stands today as a franchise record. They won the Pacific Division
Pacific Division (NHL)
The National Hockey League's Pacific Division is one of three divisions that make up the Western Conference. It was formed in 1993 as part of a league realignment...
by 24 points, their third consecutive division title, second consecutive President's trophy, Jennings Trophy as the league's top defensive team, and were awarded the #1 overall seed in the 1999 Stanley Cup Playoffs
1999 Stanley Cup Playoffs
The 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs, the championship of the National Hockey League , began in April, 1999, following the 1998–99 NHL season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, played best-of-7 series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and then the...
. Winger Jere Lehtinen
Jere Lehtinen
Jere Kalervo Lehtinen is a former Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He played as a right wing. He was drafted 88th overall in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota North Stars. Lehtinen handles defensive aspects of the game as well as offensive, hence he is a two-way forward for which...
was awarded the Selke Trophy.
In the first round of the playoffs, they faced arch-rival Edmonton
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. The Stars swept the Oilers in four tough games, winning game four in the third overtime on a goal by Joe Nieuwendyk
Joe Nieuwendyk
Joseph Nieuwendyk is the general manager of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League and a retired Canadian ice hockey player...
. They then faced the St. Louis Blues. After taking a 2 game lead, the Blues stormed back to tie the series, 2-2. The Stars then won the next two games to beat the Blues in six games. The series again ended on an overtime goal, this time by Mike Modano. In the Conference Finals, they faced the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
for the first time in Stars history. This would be the first of four playoff meetings between the Stars and Avalanche in the next 7 years. After the Avalanche won game five 7-5 taking a 3-2 series lead, The Stars rallied winning game six on the road, and game seven at home, both by 4-1 scores.
This was the Stars' first Stanley Cup Finals appearance as the Dallas Stars, although they made the finals twice as the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
. They faced the Eastern Conference champion Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
who had defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
4-1 in the Eastern Conference Finals. After splitting the first four games, the Stars vaunted defense would hold the Sabres to only one goal in the next two, winning game five 2-0, and game six 2-1 on an overtime goal by Hall of Fame winger Brett Hull
Brett Hull
Brett Andrew Hull is a former Canadian-American NHL player and the former Executive Vice President of the Dallas Stars. He is the son of Bobby Hull and nephew of Dennis Hull, both former NHL players. Hull is also known as "The Golden Brett," which is a play off of his father's nickname, "The...
. Hull's goal at 14:51 of the third overtime was remembered as one of the most controversial goals ever scored. That season the NHL had the infamous "Crease Rule" in effect, which stated that if any player of the attacking team who did not have possession of the puck was in the crease before the puck, then any resulting goal was disallowed. Hull had initially gained possession of the puck outside the crease and had made an initial shot that was blocked by the Buffalo goaltender. One of Hull's skates entered the crease as he corralled the rebound, and Hull's second shot scored the Cup-winning goal, and an immediate celebration ensued, followed by a lengthy review. After that review, the goal was allowed to stand because having simply blocked Hull's shot, rather than catching it, the Buffalo netminder never took possession of the puck away from Hull; since this made Hull's possession of the puck continuous back to before his first shot (when he was outside the crease), the goal was legal. However, the complexity of the "Crease Rule," and the attendant difficulties in understanding its application by fans and players alike, combined with the controversy arising out of the disputed Cup-winning goal, resulted in the crease rule being repealed the following season. Hull's goal was the 13th time a Stanley Cup winning goal was scored in overtime, and only the fourth to be scored in multiple overtimes. This was the only time between 1995
1995 Stanley Cup Finals
The 1995 Stanley Cup Final NHL championship series was contested by the New Jersey Devils and the Detroit Red Wings. This was the first of nine consecutive finals with American franchises exclusively. New Jersey was making the franchise's first-ever appearance in the Final, while Detroit returned...
and 2003
2003 Stanley Cup Finals
The 2003 Stanley Cup Finals was a best-of-seven playoff series that determined the champion of the National Hockey League for the 2002–03 season...
that a team other than the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
, and Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
won the Stanley Cup.
The team added veterans Kirk Muller
Kirk Muller
Kirk Christopher Muller is a retired professional ice hockey centre who played in the National Hockey League for 19 seasons from 1984–85 until 2002–03...
, Dave Manson
Dave Manson
-Playing career:Manson played junior hockey with his hometown Prince Albert Raiders in the Western Hockey League. Manson was drafted 11th overall by the Chicago Black Hawks in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft and joined the team a year later. He also played for the Edmonton Oilers, Winnipeg Jets/Phoenix...
, and Sylvain Cote
Sylvain Cote
Sylvain Côté is a former professional ice hockey player who spent 19 seasons in the NHL, the majority of them with the Washington Capitals. He also played for the Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars...
to try to defend their Stanley Cup championship in . On December 31, 1999, Brett Hull scored his 600 and 601st career goals in a 5-4 win over the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. The Stars won the Pacific division for the second year in a row, and were seeded #2 in the Western Conference. Dallas defeated Edmonton and San Jose in the first and second rounds in five games a piece. The Stars, for the second season in a row defeated the Colorado Avalanche
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1995–96 and 2000–01. The franchise...
in the Western Conference Finals in seven games to reach their second consecutive Stanley Cup Finals where they met the New Jersey Devils
New Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Because the Devils finished the regular season with one more point than Dallas, the Stars had to play their first playoff series without home ice advantage since 1995. The Stars lost all three games in Reunion Arena in the finals, and lost the series in game six on a double-overtime goal by New Jersey Forward Jason Arnott
Jason Arnott
Jason William Arnott is a professional ice hockey centre for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He began his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993–94 after being selected seventh overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team...
.
2006–07
Following the previous season's disappointing first round playoff upset at the hands of the seventh seeded Colorado Avalanche, the Stars made a number of changes during summer 2006. Former Stars goalkeeper Andy MoogAndy Moog
Donald Andrew Moog is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently the goaltending coach for the NHL's Dallas Stars.Moog was previously the Dallas Stars' assistant coach...
was promoted to Assistant General Manager for Player Development (he kept his job as goaltending coach), and former player Ulf Dahlen
Ulf Dahlén
Ulf Dahlén is a retired ice hockey player, currently head coach for HV71 in the Swedish elite league Elitserien.-Biography:...
was hired as an assistant coach. The Stars allowed center Jason Arnott
Jason Arnott
Jason William Arnott is a professional ice hockey centre for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He began his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers in 1993–94 after being selected seventh overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team...
, defenseman Willie Mitchell and goaltender Johan Hedberg
Johan Hedberg
Johan "Moose" Hedberg is a Swedish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing with the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
to leave as free agents
Free Agents
Free Agents is a romantic black comedy starring Stephen Mangan, Sharon Horgan and Anthony Head. Originally a pilot for Channel 4 in November 2007, the series began on 13 February 2009. It spawned a short lived US remake, which was cancelled after just 4 episodes aired.-Plot:Alex works for CMA, a...
. Forward Niko Kapanen
Niko Kapanen
Niko Klaus Petteri Kapanen is a Finnish professional ice hockey centre, currently playing for Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League .-Playing career:...
was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers
Atlanta Thrashers
The Atlanta Thrashers were a professional ice hockey team based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Atlanta was granted a franchise in the National Hockey League on June 25, 1997, and became the league's 28th franchise when it began play in the 1999–2000 NHL season...
and the remaining two years on fan-favorite right-winger
Winger (ice hockey)
Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...
Bill Guerin
Bill Guerin
William Robert Guerin is an American former professional ice hockey player and current player development coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Guerin played eighteen seasons in the National Hockey League winning two Stanley Cup championships with the New Jersey Devils and Pittsburgh Penguins teams...
's contract were bought out. The Stars also received Patrik Stefan
Patrik Stefan
Patrik Štefan is a Czech retired professional ice hockey player who was drafted 1st overall by the Atlanta Thrashers in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft...
and Jaroslav Modry
Jaroslav Modrý
Jaroslav Modrý is a Czech professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for HC Plzeň of the Czech Extraliga. He previously played 13 seasons in the National Hockey League for the New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Los Angeles Kings, Atlanta Thrashers, Dallas Stars and Philadelphia...
in the Atlanta trade, and signed Eric Lindros
Eric Lindros
Eric Bryan Lindros is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. Lindros played junior hockey in the OHL for the Oshawa Generals prior to being selected first overall in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft by the Quebec Nordiques...
, Jeff Halpern
Jeff Halpern
Jeffrey C. Halpern is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Washington Capitals.-Playing career:...
, Matthew Barnaby
Matthew Barnaby
Matthew Barnaby is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey right winger. Barnaby played in the NHL for the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers, Colorado Avalanche, Chicago Blackhawks and the Dallas Stars.-Playing career:He was drafted by the Buffalo Sabres...
and Darryl Sydor
Darryl Sydor
Darryl Marion Sydor is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He has won two Stanley Cups during his career; with the Dallas Stars in 1999 and with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004...
as free agents. Young goaltender Mike Smith was promoted to the NHL to serve as Marty Turco's backup.
On September 29, 2006, Brenden Morrow
Brenden Morrow
Brenden Morrow is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . Morrow played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League for the Portland Winter Hawks. During his junior career, he helped Portland win the Memorial Cup during the...
was announced as new team captain, taking the "C" from Mike Modano
Mike Modano
Michael Thomas Modano, Jr. is a retired American professional ice hockey player, who most notably played for the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise. He is the all-time goal-scoring and points leader amongst American-born players in the NHL, as well as the last active player in the NHL...
, who had served in the role since 2003. Jere Lehtinen
Jere Lehtinen
Jere Kalervo Lehtinen is a former Finnish professional ice hockey forward. He played as a right wing. He was drafted 88th overall in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota North Stars. Lehtinen handles defensive aspects of the game as well as offensive, hence he is a two-way forward for which...
is the last Minnesota North Star still with the franchise, although Lehtinen never wore a Minnesota North Stars jersey; he was drafted by the club while it was still in Minnesota.
During the season, key future pieces, center Mike Ribeiro
Mike Ribeiro
Michael Ribeiro is a Canadian professional ice hockey player currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . Ribeiro is of Portuguese ancestry.-Playing career:...
, and defenseman Mattias Norstrom
Mattias Norström
Erik Johan Mattias "Notan" Norström is a Swedish retired professional ice hockey defenceman, currently working for the AIK IF organization. Norström began his National Hockey League career with the New York Rangers. However, he is most noted for his ten seasons as a member of the Los Angeles...
were added through separate trades. Young players Joel Lundqvist
Joel Lundqvist
Joel Lundqvist is a Swedish professional ice hockey centre, currently playing for Frölunda HC of Elitserien. He serves as the team's captain.-Early life:...
, Krys Barch
Krys Barch
Krystofer Barch is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, Nicklas Grossman
Nicklas Grossman
Nicklas Grossman is a professional ice hockey defenceman, currently with the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, Chris Conner
Chris Conner
Chris Ryan Conner is an American professional ice hockey winger, currently with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. He has also played professionally with the Dallas Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins. He grew up in Westland, MI and attended Churchill High School in Livonia, MI...
all saw significant ice time while other players were out of the lineup with injuries.
On January 24, 2007, the 55th National Hockey League All-Star Game
55th National Hockey League All-Star Game
The 55th National Hockey League All-Star Game was held in Dallas, Texas, on January 24, 2007. The Western Conference was victorious, defeating the Eastern Conference 12–9...
was held at the American Airlines Center. Defenseman Philippe Boucher
Philippe Boucher
Philippe Boucher is a retired French Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League. He is currently the General Manager of the Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL.-Amateur:...
and goaltender Marty Turco
Marty Turco
Marty Turco is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has played professionally with the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. Because of his puckhandling prowess, Canadian hockey personality Don Cherry named Turco: "the smartest goalie in the...
would represent the Stars as part of the Western Conference All-Star roster.
On March 13, 2007, Mike Modano
Mike Modano
Michael Thomas Modano, Jr. is a retired American professional ice hockey player, who most notably played for the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise. He is the all-time goal-scoring and points leader amongst American-born players in the NHL, as well as the last active player in the NHL...
scored his 500th career NHL goal, making him only the 39th player and 2nd American to ever reach 500 goals. On March 17, 2007, Modano scored his 502nd and 503rd NHL goals, breaking the record for an American-born player previously held by Joe Mullen
Joe Mullen
Joseph Patrick Mullen is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played 17 seasons in the National Hockey League with the St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins from 1980–1997. He won three Stanley Cups in 1989 with Calgary, and in 1991 and 1992 with...
.
The Stars qualified for the playoffs as the sixth seed in the Western conference and squared off against the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the playoffs. Goaltender Marty Turco delivered three shutout wins—in games 2, 5 and 6—but the Stars' offense failed to capitalize and they lost the series in seven games. This was the third season in a row that the Stars lost in the first round.
2007–08: Stars return to playoff prominence
After starting a lackluster 7-7-3 in the 2007–08 season2007–08 Dallas Stars season
The 2007–08 Dallas Stars season began on October 3, 2007 and was the franchise's 41st season in the National Hockey League and its 15th as the Dallas Stars...
season, General Manager Doug Armstrong was fired by the team. He was replaced by an unusual "Co-General Manager" arrangement of former assistant GM Les Jackson
Les Jackson (ice hockey)
Les Jackson is a former professional ice hockey player, coach, scout and co-general manager of the Dallas Stars. Jackson is currently the director of scouting and player development for the Stars. Jackson was selected in the 4th round of the 1972 NHL Amateur Draft, 64th overall, by the Boston...
and former Stars player Brett Hull
Brett Hull
Brett Andrew Hull is a former Canadian-American NHL player and the former Executive Vice President of the Dallas Stars. He is the son of Bobby Hull and nephew of Dennis Hull, both former NHL players. Hull is also known as "The Golden Brett," which is a play off of his father's nickname, "The...
. On November 8, 2007, Mike Modano became the top American born point scorer of all time finishing off a shorthanded breakaway opportunity on San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov
Evgeni Nabokov
Evgeni Viktorovich Nabokov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who is playing for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League .Nabokov was selected by San Jose in the 1994 NHL Entry Draft...
.
On February 26, 2008 just hours before the trade deadline, the Stars traded for All-Star center Brad Richards
Brad Richards
Bradley Glenn Richards is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League .-Early career:Born and raised in Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island...
from the Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning
The Tampa Bay Lightning are a professional ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They have one Stanley Cup championship in their history, in 2003–04. They are often referred to as the...
for backup netminder Mike Smith, and forwards Jussi Jokinen
Jussi Jokinen
Jussi Jokinen is a Finnish professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Carolina Hurricanes of the National Hockey League...
, and Jeff Halpern
Jeff Halpern
Jeffrey C. Halpern is an American professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Washington Capitals.-Playing career:...
. The Stars rallied to a final record of 45-30-7 and qualified for the playoffs as the fifth seed matching up with the defending champion Anaheim Ducks in the first round. After a rough end to the season, only winning two games in March of that year, the Stars shocked everyone by winning the first two games of the series in Anaheim, and then would go on to finish off the Ducks in six games, their first playoff series win since 2003. In the second round, the Stars matched up with the Pacific division champion San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. Once again the Stars surprised everyone by winning the first two games of the series on the road. In game two, center Brad Richards tied an NHL record by recording 4 points in the third period. The Stars would then take a 3-0 lead after a Mattias Norstrom
Mattias Norström
Erik Johan Mattias "Notan" Norström is a Swedish retired professional ice hockey defenceman, currently working for the AIK IF organization. Norström began his National Hockey League career with the New York Rangers. However, he is most noted for his ten seasons as a member of the Los Angeles...
overtime goal in game 3. Captain Brenden Morrow finished the Sharks off in game 6 with a powerplay goal nearly half way into the fourth overtime. The win sent the Stars to their first Conference Finals since 2000, and met the powerhouse Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
. After falling behind three games to none, the Stars made a series of it winning two games before finally being ousted by the Red Wings in six games.
2008–2009, Two Down Years
The 2008–09 season saw the early loss for the season of captain Brenden MorrowBrenden Morrow
Brenden Morrow is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . Morrow played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League for the Portland Winter Hawks. During his junior career, he helped Portland win the Memorial Cup during the...
to an ACL tear. Off-season free agent acquisition Sean Avery
Sean Avery
Sean Christopher Avery is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League . He formerly played for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars and New York Rangers. Prior to the NHL, Avery played for the Owen Sound Platers and the...
caused a media uproar over comments he made to a Canadian reporter about ex-girlfriend Elisha Cuthbert
Elisha Cuthbert
Elisha Ann Cuthbert is a Canadian film and television actress. Cuthbert is known as the former co-host of the Canadian children's television series Popular Mechanics for Kids. In 1998, she had her first film role in Airspeed. She followed this in 2003 with a role in Old School...
and her then-current relationship with Flames' defenseman Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf
Dion Phaneuf is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League...
before a game in Calgary. The incident caused the team to suspend Avery for the season; he was later waived by the Stars. That incident, plus injuries to the lineup including Brad Richards
Brad Richards
Bradley Glenn Richards is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and alternate captain for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League .-Early career:Born and raised in Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island...
and Sergei Zubov
Sergei Zubov
Sergei Alexandrovich Zubov is a former Russian professional ice hockey defenceman who played for the Dallas Stars, New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League as well as SKA St. Petersburg of the Kontinental Hockey League...
caused the Stars to tailspin to a 12th place finish, and the first missed playoffs for Dallas since 2002.
In the wake of the season, the Stars hired a new general manager—former player and alternate captain Joe Nieuwendyk
Joe Nieuwendyk
Joseph Nieuwendyk is the general manager of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League and a retired Canadian ice hockey player...
. Hull and Jackson remained with the Stars and were re-assigned to new roles within the organization. Less than a week after he was hired, Nieuwendyk fired six-season head coach Dave Tippett
Dave Tippett
David G. Tippett is a National Hockey League head coach, currently of the Phoenix Coyotes. He is the 6th person to be the head coach of the Coyotes, and the 21st coach in the Phoenix Coyotes/Winnipeg Jets franchise. He is the former head coach of the Dallas Stars...
on June 10, 2009, and hired Marc Crawford
Marc Crawford
Marc Joseph John Crawford is a Canadian professional ice hockey head coach, most recently employed by the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League. He was previously the head coach of three other organizations and won a Stanley Cup in 1996 with the Colorado Avalanche...
the next day. Other off-season moves included the addition of Charlie Huddy
Charlie Huddy
Charles William Huddy is a former NHL defenceman and current assistant coach of the Winnipeg Jets. He is also one of only seven Edmonton Oilers to be a member of all 5 of the franchise's Stanley Cup-winning teams 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988,1990.His greatest success came with the Oilers with whom he...
as assistant coach in charge of defense and the promotions of Stu Barnes
Stu Barnes
Stuart Barnes is an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . He played 16 seasons at centre in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres, and Dallas Stars....
and Andy Moog
Andy Moog
Donald Andrew Moog is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey goaltender. He is currently the goaltending coach for the NHL's Dallas Stars.Moog was previously the Dallas Stars' assistant coach...
to assistant coach.
The Stars' 2009-10 season was similar to the previous one. Inconsistent play and defensive struggles plagued the team throughout the season as they failed to adjust to Crawford's new offensively-minded system, and owner Tom Hicks' financial troubles prevented the team from spending more than $45 million on payroll, over $11 million beneath the league salary cap. The Stars failed to win more than three games in a row all season, finished in last in the Pacific Division, and repeated their 12th place conference finish from the year before with a record of 37-31-14 for 88 points. This was the first time that they would miss the playoffs two seasons in a row since the Stars moved to Texas. In the offseason longtime goaltender Marty Turco was let go in favor of Kari Lehtonen
Kari Lehtonen
Kari Lehtonen is a Finnish professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League...
to be the team's #1 goaltender for the future. In the last game of the season in Minnesota, Mike Modano was named the game's #1 star and skated around the rink after the game wearing his North Stars uniform, receiving a rousing ovation.
Rebuilding, Post-Modano Era (2010-Present)
In the 2010 offseason, the Stars released Marty TurcoMarty Turco
Marty Turco is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has played professionally with the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. Because of his puckhandling prowess, Canadian hockey personality Don Cherry named Turco: "the smartest goalie in the...
and Mike Modano, the face of the franchise for the past two decades. Modano then signed with the Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings
The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...
and Turco joined the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
. Winger Jere Lehtinen, who played his entire career with the Stars, announced his retirement in December 2010. The team also made key acquisitions, such as winger Adam Burish
Adam Burish
Adam Burish is an American professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
(who was on the 2010 Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks), and goalie Andrew Raycroft
Andrew Raycroft
Andrew Joseph Ernest Raycroft is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . Originally drafted by the Boston Bruins 135th overall in 1998, he won the Calder Trophy with the club in 2004 as rookie of the year...
. They also gave Johnathan Cheechoo a try-out, but was he cut and later signed with division rival San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
To begin the 2010 season, the Stars won their first three games, going 3-0-0 for the first time since the 2007-08 season by beating the New Jersey Devils in OT, New York Islanders in a shootout, and against Mike Modano and the Red Wings. During the third game against the Wings, the Stars crowd gave Modano a standing ovation as he was shown on the Jumbotron.
After a hot start to the season, the Stars dominated the first half of the season, staying on the Pacific Division lead and staying in the top three spots of the conference. It seemed like the old Stars were back, as through the first half of the season, they went 30-15-6. But after the All-Star Game, the Stars went on a landslide, going on numerous losing streaks and blowing games. Through this though, the Stars still remained in the playoff picture. On the day of the trade deadline, the Stars traded James Neal and Matt Niskanen
Matt Niskanen
Matthew Norman Niskanen is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League. He was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the first round, 28th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.-Amateur career:Niskanen attended the University...
to the Pittsburgh Penguins
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The franchise was founded in 1967 as one of the first expansion teams during the league's original...
for defenseman Alex Goligoski
Alex Goligoski
Alexander Marcus Flint Goligoski is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
. After an awful 2nd half, the Stars still had a chance to make the playoffs, by winning all their games in April. They won all of them except for last, as they lost to the Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild are a professional ice hockey team based in St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
5-3, costing them a playoff spot.
After missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season, Dallas fired coach Crawford on April 12, 2011.
On June 16, 2011, Dallas hired Glen Gulutzan to be head coach, making him the sixth coach since the franchise's move from Minnesota.
On September 21, 2011, Mike Modano announced his retirement from the NHL. It is likely that the Stars will retire his number (9) during the upcoming season.
Bankruptcy & The Gaglardi Era (2011)
In the spring of 2011, according to Darren DregerDarren Dreger
Darren Dreger is a Canadian sportscaster for TSN. He serves as hockey insider on the NHL on TSN, and is the host of Leafs Lunch on AM640 Toronto Radio...
of TSN
TSN
The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels...
, the team has been "financially managed" by the NHL for over a year.
On September 13, 2011, lenders voted to agree to have the Stars file for bankruptcy and sold at auction.
On October 22, 2011, competing bids to buy the club were due. Vancouver businessman and Kamloops Blazers
Kamloops Blazers
The Kamloops Blazers are a junior ice hockey team in the Western Hockey League based out of Kamloops, British Columbia. They play their home games at Interior Savings Centre.-History:...
owner Tom Gaglardi
Tom Gaglardi
R. Thomas Gaglardi , is a Canadian Business Executive, and owner of the Dallas Stars, of the National Hockey League.-Career:Gaglardi is president of Northland Properties Corporation, which he and his family own...
's bid was the only one submitted, clearing the way for him to enter the final stages of taking over ownership of the team. Gaglardi's purchase was approved by the NHL Board of Governors on November 18, 2011.
A bankruptcy court judge approved the bid for an enterprise value of $240 million. First lien creditors got about 75 cents on the dollar. The Stars lost $38 million during their the last fiscal year and $92 million over the last three seasons.
As the new owner, Gaglardi's first move was bringing back former Stars president Jim Lites
Jim Lites
James R. "Jim" Lites is an American sports executive who currently serves as President of the Dallas Stars of the NHL. He was formerly the president of Hicks Sports Marketing Group, and president of the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball, all of which are holdings of Tom Hicks...
to once again take the reins as team President & CEO.
Jerseys
The current home jersey features the player's number on the chest. The color of the home jersey has also changed from green to black. The alternate logo remains on the shoulders of the away jerseys. On November 18, 2008 the Stars unveiled a third jersey similar to their current home jersey, white, similar to the road jersey but with all the features of the home. 'Dallas' on the chest, and Stars logos on the shoulders. Prior to the 2010-11 season, the team reversed their road and alternate uniforms. The alternate uniform featuring the team crest was retired before the 2011-12 season.Arena
The Stars played in 17,001-seat Reunion ArenaReunion Arena
Reunion Arena was an indoor arena, in the Reunion district of downtown Dallas, Texas . It held 18,293 for basketball and 17,001 for ice hockey.It was demolished in November 2009 and the site was cleared by the end of the year.-History:...
from their relocation in 1993, until the club moved to the 18,500-seat American Airlines Center
American Airlines Center
The American Airlines Center is a multi-purpose arena, located in the Victory Park neighborhood, near downtown Dallas, Texas.It is home to the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA, and the Dallas Stars of the NHL....
in 2001. It has become tradition that the fans in attendance shout "Stars!" and "Star!" during the phrasing of the words as the National Anthem is sung. At games, as part of the entertainment, a Kahlenberg KDT-123 fog horn sounds after every Stars goal, followed by the song "The Whip" by Locksley. A song called "The Darkness Music" plays after nearly every away goal. The "Dallas Stars Fight Song", recorded by Pantera
Pantera
Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...
, is played when the Stars hit the ice after every intermission. After each Stars win the Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stephen Ray "Stevie Ray" Vaughan was an American electric blues guitarist and singer. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan and frontman for Double Trouble, a band that included bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. Born in Dallas, Vaughan moved to Austin at the age of 17 and...
song "The House is Rockin" is played.
Broadcast
All Dallas Stars games are broadcast on radio on KTCKKTCK
KTCK , is a sports talk radio station based in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The station, currently owned by Cumulus Media, has been made popular by the incorporation of humor alongside the sports talk....
under a five-year deal announced in January 2009. KTCK replaced WBAP, which had broadcast games since the team's relocation from Minnesota in 1993. Television coverage occurs primarily on Fox Sports Southwest (FSN), with KTXA
KTXA
KTXA, virtual channel 21 , is an independent television station based in Fort Worth, Texas, and serving the Dallas/Fort Worth designated market area. With its transmitter in Cedar Hill, KTXA is owned by CBS Corporation and is the sister station of CBS outlet KTVT .KTXA was originally an...
(Channel 21) broadcasting games when FSSW has a conflict.
The Stars are one of only three NHL teams to simulcast
Simulcast
Simulcast, shorthand for "simultaneous broadcast", refers to programs or events broadcast across more than one medium, or more than one service on the same medium, at the same time. For example, Absolute Radio is simulcast on both AM and on satellite radio, and the BBC's Prom concerts are often...
the entirety of their games on TV and radio, which the team has done since their 1993 arrival in Dallas. The broadcast team features the popular duo of "Ralph and Razor" -- play-by-play announcer Ralph Strangis
Ralph Strangis
Ralph Strangis is a play-by-play commentator, who has covered a variety of sports, but most notably has been the commentator for the Dallas Stars ice hockey franchise of the National Hockey League since the team's move to Dallas in 1993....
and color commentator Daryl "Razor" Reaugh
Daryl Reaugh
Daryl "Razor" Reaugh , is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender, now a color commentator for the Dallas Stars of the NHL, the The NHL on Versus and Hockey Night in Canada.-Playing career:...
. Although both the DFW-area's large media market and the team's fan base could theoretically support separate television and radio broadcast teams, the Stars have continued simulcasting due to Strangis and Reaugh's popularity among local listeners and viewers. Like other NHL teams, the Stars now have a live radio broadcast of the duo transmitted inside American Airlines Center on 97.5 FM. This is done because AM radio signals often cannot penetrate concrete and steel building exteriors.
Texas Stars
The Texas StarsTexas Stars
The Texas Stars are an American Hockey League team. They play in Cedar Park, Texas, near Austin.The team is the top affiliate of the NHL Dallas Stars. In April 2008, the Iowa Stars announced that they would no longer affiliate with the Dallas Stars, and changed the team's name to Chops for the...
affiliate of the Dallas Stars, who after becoming unaffiliated with the Iowa Stars of the AHL, did not have an AHL affiliate for the 2008-09 season. The Texas Stars
Texas Stars
The Texas Stars are an American Hockey League team. They play in Cedar Park, Texas, near Austin.The team is the top affiliate of the NHL Dallas Stars. In April 2008, the Iowa Stars announced that they would no longer affiliate with the Dallas Stars, and changed the team's name to Chops for the...
began play in the AHL in the 2009-10 season. They are located in Cedar Park, Texas
Cedar Park, Texas
Cedar Park is a city in Travis and Williamson counties in the U.S. state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population is 48,937. The city is a major suburb of Austin, the center of which is approximately to the southeast, although Austin directly borders Cedar Park at the latter's...
(Northwest of Austin
Austin
Austin is the capital of the U.S. state of Texas.Austin may also refer to:-In the United States:*Austin, Arkansas*Austin, Colorado*Austin, Chicago, Illinois*Austin, Indiana*Austin, Minnesota*Austin, Nevada*Austin, Oregon...
).
Idaho Steelheads
The Idaho SteelheadsIdaho Steelheads
The Idaho Steelheads are an American professional minor league ice hockey team based in Boise, Idaho. The team began playing in 1997 and has been a member of the ECHL since 2003....
are the Stars' ECHL
ECHL
The ECHL is a mid-level professional ice hockey league based in Princeton, New Jersey with teams scattered across the United States...
affiliate. Based in Boise
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
, the Steelheads have played home games in CenturyLink Arena Boise since 2003.
Allen Americans
The Allen AmericansAllen Americans
The Allen Americans is an ice hockey team in the Central Hockey League which began play in the 2009–10 season. They play at the Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas.-History:...
are an ice hockey team and Central Hockey League
Central Hockey League
The Central Hockey League is a mid-level professional hockey league, owned by Global Entertainment Corporation. Its current champions are the Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs, which defeated the Colorado Eagles four games to three in the 2011 playoffs....
(CHL) affiliate of the Dallas Stars, which began play in the 2009–10 season. They play home games at the Allen Event Center in Allen, Texas
Allen, Texas
Allen is a city in Collin County, Texas, United States, a northern suburb of Dallas. As of the 2010 census the city had a total population of 84,246.-Geography:According to the City of Allen, the city has a total area of...
.
Season-by-season record
This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Stars. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Dallas Stars seasonsNote: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, OTL = Overtime losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against
| Season | GP | W | L | OTL | Pts | GF | GA | Finish | Playoffs |
| 2006–07 | 82 | 50 | 25 | 7 | 107 | 226 | 197 | 3rd, Pacific | Lost in Conference Quarterfinals, 3-4 (Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... ) |
| 2007–08 | 82 | 45 | 30 | 7 | 97 | 242 | 207 | 3rd, Pacific | Lost in Conference Finals, 2-4 (Red Wings Detroit Red Wings The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York... ) |
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
82 | 36 | 35 | 11 | 83 | 230 | 257 | 3rd, Pacific | Did not qualify |
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
82 | 37 | 31 | 14 | 88 | 237 | 254 | 5th, Pacific | Did not qualify |
| 2010-11 | 82 | 42 | 29 | 11 | 95 | 227 | 233 | 5th, Pacific | Did not qualify |
Team captains
Note: This list does not include former captains of the Minnesota North StarsMinnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
and Oakland Seals
- Mark TinordiMark TinordiMark D. Tinordi is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the National Hockey League for twelve seasons between 1987–88 and 1998–99....
, 1993–95 - Neal BrotenNeal BrotenNeal LaMoy Broten is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played on the gold medal-winning "Miracle on Ice" hockey team in 1980, and in 1,099 NHL regular season games from 1981 – 1997 with the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings...
, 1995 (January–February) - Derian HatcherDerian HatcherDerian Hatcher is an American former professional ice hockey defenseman who played 16 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers...
, 1995–2003 - Mike ModanoMike ModanoMichael Thomas Modano, Jr. is a retired American professional ice hockey player, who most notably played for the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise. He is the all-time goal-scoring and points leader amongst American-born players in the NHL, as well as the last active player in the NHL...
, 2003–06 - Brenden MorrowBrenden MorrowBrenden Morrow is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . Morrow played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League for the Portland Winter Hawks. During his junior career, he helped Portland win the Memorial Cup during the...
, 2006–present
Hall of Famers
Please see the Hall of Fame section for the Minnesota North StarsMinnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
for a list of franchise Hockey Hall of Fame
Hockey Hall of Fame
The Hockey Hall of Fame is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Dedicated to the history of ice hockey, it is both a museum and a hall of fame. It holds exhibits about players, teams, National Hockey League records, memorabilia and NHL trophies, including the Stanley Cup...
members.
- Brett HullBrett HullBrett Andrew Hull is a former Canadian-American NHL player and the former Executive Vice President of the Dallas Stars. He is the son of Bobby Hull and nephew of Dennis Hull, both former NHL players. Hull is also known as "The Golden Brett," which is a play off of his father's nickname, "The...
, RW, 1998-01, inducted 2009 - Joe NieuwendykJoe NieuwendykJoseph Nieuwendyk is the general manager of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League and a retired Canadian ice hockey player...
, C, 1995-02, inducted 2011 - Ed BelfourEd BelfourEdward John Belfour is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender.Belfour was born in Carman, Manitoba and grew up playing hockey. He played junior hockey for the Winkler Flyers before going to the University of North Dakota where he helped the school win the NCAA championship in the...
, G, 1997-02, inducted 2011
Retired numbers
- 7 Neal BrotenNeal BrotenNeal LaMoy Broten is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played on the gold medal-winning "Miracle on Ice" hockey team in 1980, and in 1,099 NHL regular season games from 1981 – 1997 with the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings...
, C, 1981–95 and 1997 (1993–95 and 1997 in Dallas), number retired February 7, 1998
Bill Goldsworthy
William Alfred Goldsworthy was a professional ice hockey right winger who played in the National Hockey League for 14 seasons between 1964 and 1978, most notably for the Minnesota North Stars.-Playing career:...
, RW, 1967–77, number retired February 15, 1992 19 Bill Masterton
Bill Masterton
William J. Masterton was a Canadian-American professional ice hockey centre who played one season in the National Hockey League for the Minnesota North Stars before succumbing to an injury he suffered during a game against the Oakland Seals in 1968...
, C, 1967–68, number retired January 17, 1987 99 Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Gretzky
Wayne Douglas Gretzky, CC is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player and former head coach. Nicknamed "The Great One", he is generally regarded as the best player in the history of the National Hockey League , and has been called "the greatest hockey player ever" by many sportswriters,...
, C
Note: Goldsworthy and Masterton played exclusively for the Minnesota North Stars, while Broten's NHL career started with the North Stars and concluded with the Stars. Wayne Gretzky's number was retired throughout the National Hockey League
First-round draft picks
Note: This list does not include selections of the Minnesota North StarsMinnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
.
- 19931993 NHL Entry DraftThe 1993 NHL Entry Draft took place on June 26, 1993, at the Colisee de Quebec in Quebec City, Quebec.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise specified.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
: Todd HarveyTodd HarveyTodd Douglas Ross Harvey is a former professional ice hockey forward. He was selected in the first round of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, 9th overall, by the Dallas Stars, following a successful junior career, which included being the captain of the Canadian team at the World Junior Hockey...
(9th overall) - 19941994 NHL Entry DraftThe 1994 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Hartford Civic Center on June 28–29, 1994.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
: Jason BotterillJason Botterill-International:-External links:...
(20th overall) - 19951995 NHL Entry DraftThe 1995 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Edmonton Coliseum in Edmonton, Alberta. The drafting order was now set partially by a lottery system whereby teams would not be guaranteed first pick if they finished last. Instead, a draft lottery was instituted in which the winner of the lottery could move...
: Jarome IginlaJarome IginlaJarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League . A six-time NHL All-Star, he is the Flames' all-time leader in goals, points, and games played, and is second in assists to Al MacInnis...
(11th overall) - 19961996 NHL Entry DraftThe 1996 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Kiel Center in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 22, 1996.- Selections by round :Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.- Round one :- Round two :...
: Ric Jackman (5th overall) - 19971997 NHL Entry DraftThe 1997 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on 21 June 1997.-Selections by round:Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.- Round one :-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
: Brenden MorrowBrenden MorrowBrenden Morrow is a Canadian professional ice hockey left winger and captain of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . Morrow played junior hockey in the Western Hockey League for the Portland Winter Hawks. During his junior career, he helped Portland win the Memorial Cup during the...
(25th overall) - 19981998 NHL Entry DraftThe 1998 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 27 at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York. A total of 258 players were drafted.- Selections by round :Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.- Round one :- Round two :...
: None - 19991999 NHL Entry DraftThe 1999 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the FleetCenter in Boston, Massachusetts. According to Sports Illustrated and other sports news agencies, at the time the 1999 draft was considered one of the deepest in talent in years, headed by Patrik Stefan and the Sedin twins. However, the...
: None - 20002000 NHL Entry DraftThe 2000 NHL Entry Draft was held from June 24 to 25 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, following the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft on June 23 for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild...
: Steve OttSteve OttSteve Ott is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, an alternate captain of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
(25th overall) - 20012001 NHL Entry DraftThe 2001 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 23–24, 2001 at the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise, Florida.-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:...
: Jason BacashihuaJason BacashihuaJason Bacashihua is an American professional ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Adirondack Phantoms of the American Hockey League while under contract to the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League ....
(26th overall) - 20022002 NHL Entry DraftThe 2002 NHL Entry Draft was held June 22–23 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Canada. 291 players were drafted in total: 35 from the OHL; 23 from the QMJHL; 43 from the WHL; 41 from the NCAA; 6 from U.S high schools and 110 from outside North America....
: Martin VagnerMartin VagnerMartin Vagner is a Czech ice hockey defenceman currently playing with HC Oceláři Třinec of the Czech Extraliga. He was drafted in the first round, 26th overall, by the Dallas Stars in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft. He re-entered the draft, however, in 2004 and was selected in the ninth round, 268th...
(26th overall) - 20032003 NHL Entry DraftThe 2003 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tennessee on June 21, 2003.Marc-Andre Fleury was selected first overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins, only the third goalie in NHL history selected as the first overall draft choice...
: None - 20042004 NHL Entry DraftThe 2004 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 26 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. It is especially notable because it was the last NHL event to take place before the beginning of the lockout which canceled all the games scheduled for the 2004–05 NHL season.- Selections by round :Listed...
: Mark FistricMark FistricMark Fistric is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the Stars 28th overall in the first round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. He played major junior for the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League...
(28th overall) - 20052005 NHL Entry DraftThe 2005 NHL Entry Draft was the 43rd NHL Entry Draft.As a lockout cancelled the games of the 2004–05 NHL season, the draft order was determined by lottery on July 22, 2005. Teams were assigned 1 to 3 balls based on their playoff appearances and first overall draft picks from the past three years...
: Matt NiskanenMatt NiskanenMatthew Norman Niskanen is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League. He was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the first round, 28th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.-Amateur career:Niskanen attended the University...
(28th overall) - 20062006 NHL Entry DraftThe 2006 NHL Entry Draft was the 44th NHL Entry Draft. It was held at General Motors Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on June 24, 2006.The draft order for the first 14 picks was decided during a lottery held on April 20, 2006....
: Ivan VishnevskiyIvan Vishnevskiy (ice hockey)Ivan Vishnevskiy is a Russian professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing in the Kontinental Hockey League with Atlant Mytishchi.-Playing career:...
(27th overall) - 20072007 NHL Entry DraftThe 2007 NHL Entry Draft was the 45th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted at Nationwide Arena in the city of Columbus, Ohio, United States on June 22, 2007. The draft consisted of seven rounds with rounds two through seven taking place on June 23, 2007...
: None - 20082008 NHL Entry DraftThe 2008 NHL Entry Draft was the 46th NHL Entry Draft. It was hosted by the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place in the city of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on June 20–21, 2008...
: None - 20092009 NHL Entry DraftThe 2009 NHL Entry Draft was the 47th Entry Draft. It was held on June 26–27, 2009 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. The Draft was part of the Montreal Canadiens centennial celebrations. National Hockey League teams took turns selecting amateur ice hockey players from junior, collegiate, or...
: Scott GlennieScott GlennieScott Glennie is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who the Dallas Stars drafted eighth overall during the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Glennie currently plays for the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League ....
(8th overall) - 20102010 NHL Entry DraftThe 2010 NHL Entry Draft was the 48th NHL Entry Draft, held on June 25–26, 2010 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California, home arena of the Los Angeles Kings. This was the first time Los Angeles hosted the NHL Entry Draft. An unofficial record of 11 American-trained players were selected in...
: Jack CampbellJack Campbell (ice hockey)Jack Campbell is an American ice hockey goaltender currently playing with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. Campbell was one of the top goaltenders eligible for the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, ranked second among North American goaltenders both in Central Scouting's midterm and final rankings...
(11th overall) - 20112011 NHL Entry DraftThe 2011 NHL Entry Draft was the 49th NHL Entry Draft. It was held on June 24–25, 2011, at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was the first time the Draft was held in the state of Minnesota since the Minnesota North Stars hosted the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.The top three picks consisted...
: Jamie OleksiakJamie OleksiakJamie Oleksiak is a Canadian-American ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Saginaw Spirit team which competes in Ontario Hockey League....
(14th overall)
Franchise scoring leaders
These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise (Minnesota & Dallas) history. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; * = current Stars player
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Franchise individual records
- Most goals in a season: Dino CiccarelliDino Ciccarelli.Dino Ciccarelli is a Canadian former professional hockey player who played 19 seasons in the National Hockey League, primarily with the Minnesota North Stars. He scored 1,200 points in his NHL career. His 608 career NHL goals are also the most goals scored by a draft-eligible player who was not...
; Brian BellowsBrian BellowsBrian Bellows is a retired professional ice hockey player. He played nearly 1200 games in the National Hockey League with the Minnesota North Stars, Montreal Canadiens, Tampa Bay Lightning, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and the Washington Capitals...
, 55 (1981–82; 1989–90) - Most assists in a season: Neal BrotenNeal BrotenNeal LaMoy Broten is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played on the gold medal-winning "Miracle on Ice" hockey team in 1980, and in 1,099 NHL regular season games from 1981 – 1997 with the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings...
, 76 (1985–86) - Most points in a season: Bobby Smith, 114 (1981–82)
- Most penalty minutes in a season: Basil McRaeBasil McRaeBasil McRae played his major junior hockey with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey Association .In the 1980 NHL entry draft, the Quebec Nordiques drafted McRae in the 3rd round, 87th overall...
, 378 (1987–88) - Most points in a season, defenseman: Craig HartsburgCraig HartsburgCraig William Hartsburg is a retired Canadian professional hockey player and associate coach in the National Hockey League for the Calgary Flames. He also coached in the Ontario Hockey League. He has previously been an NHL head coach with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and...
, 77 (1981–82) - Most points in a season, rookie: Neal BrotenNeal BrotenNeal LaMoy Broten is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played on the gold medal-winning "Miracle on Ice" hockey team in 1980, and in 1,099 NHL regular season games from 1981 – 1997 with the Minnesota North Stars, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings...
, 98 (1981–82) - Most goals in a season, rookie: Neal Broten, 38 (1981–82)*
- Most wins in a season: Marty TurcoMarty TurcoMarty Turco is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He has played professionally with the Dallas Stars and Chicago Blackhawks. Because of his puckhandling prowess, Canadian hockey personality Don Cherry named Turco: "the smartest goalie in the...
, 41 (2005–06) - Most shutouts in a season: Marty Turco, 9 (2003–04)
See also
- Minnesota North StarsMinnesota North StarsThe Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
- Oakland Seals
- Cleveland Barons (NHL)Cleveland Barons (NHL)The Cleveland Barons were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League from 1976–78. They were a relocation of the California Golden Seals franchise, which had played in Oakland since 1967...
- List of NHL players
- List of NHL seasons
- List of Stanley Cup champions