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Vernon Fiddler Proving Age Is Just A Number In Career Season

By Josh Clark

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Not many hockey players past the age of 32 or 33 can still find a way to get things done on the ice like they could when they were younger. This season, the Dallas Stars have seen that this trait does not apply to all veterans, especially Vernon Fiddler.

Vernon Fiddler has been with the Dallas Stars since July 1st, 2011 when the Stars signed him as a free agent after he left the Arizona Coyotes organization. Through his 3 1/2 seasons in Dallas, he has played 269 regular season games and scored 29 goals, along with tallying 85 points.

After the playoff run against the Ducks last season, Fiddler’s contract expired. He welcomed free agency and started looking at his offers, and many thought that he was gone for good. But on July 2nd, 2014, Vernon Fiddler took the Stars offer, guaranteeing him $2.5 million on a two year deal. Fiddler stated that he had received better offers than the Stars’, but that his family loved where they were and he loved the team he was a part of. He also stated that he wanted to “finish the job” and remain a part of a really good team (boy, was he in for an awkward surprise).

But this season has not been a regular one for Vernon Fiddler. After the other top talent Jim Nill acquired made their way into the lineup, Fiddler was pushed down to centering the fourth line as he always seems to do. But this year Fiddler has notably turned his regular style of play around.

It’s been a great season for the assistant captain so far, and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. As the Dallas Stars continue their narrow and unlikely trek back to the playoffs, Fiddler could very well be called one of the Stars top leaders.

“He’s a leader on this team and he’s been stepping up his play.” -Jamie Benn

Fiddler currently has 24 points in 65 games this season, including 11 goals that ties his career high. He’s scored four goals in his last four games, including two against the Tampa Bay Lightning and the game winner against the Philadelphia Flyers. His goal total this season can largely be accredited to his ability to get in front of the net. All of his past four goals have come from him standing directly in front of the net. He finds rebounds, tip-in opportunities, as well as breakaways.

Vernon Fiddler has won 53.7% of his face-offs this season and remains one of Dallas’ most threatening players in the faceoff circle. He has found heavy chemistry as of late while centering the fourth line with Ryan Garbutt and Colton Sceviour. All of this has been accomplished in an average ice time of 12:00, his lowest average ice time since his second year in the NHL back in 2003-2004. So it is easy to see that he makes the most of his time out there.

“You hope you can catch on and get a little streak going and we are just trying to put a string of games together period by period and hopefully that turns over to game by game. We are hoping to build on this.” -Vernon Fiddler on the win against PHI

He may not be the Stars best player, but he gives them plenty of depth and makes teams focus in on a fourth line unlike they would usually do. Fiddler is giving all he’s got at 34 to get this Stars team back into the playoffs. It will not be easy, but if Fiddler keeps his play up, he will give the Stars a pretty good chance.

Next: Dallas Stars @ Carolina Hurricanes - Game Preview

The Stars are taking on the Carolina Hurricanes tonight at 6:00 in Raleigh, North Carolina as they search for more valuable points in the playoff race. It’s another must-win game, and we know how the Stars have done in them recently…. But nonetheless, puck drop is at 6.

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