Dallas Stars Captains: Top Five In Franchise History

In 1992, the Minnesota North Stars franchise began talks about possibly relocating to a different state. With a few underlying factors behind it, the North Stars franchise was moved to Dallas, Texas in 1993.

Since then, the Dallas Stars have been planting and growing the sport of hockey in the south. Bringing the ice down to where the sun never seems to stop shining, the organization as a whole has done a terrific job of building a solid foundation.

The Dallas Stars have had their fair share of hits and misses through their 22 years. Basically from 1993 to 2008 were the Stars glory days. Playoffs every season except two, and a Stanley Cup to top it all off. But from 2008 to the present, there hasn’t been much to talk about. One playoff appearance in 2014 is about all you can say in regards to the club’s success. Other than that, it’s pretty much been a lost cause.

That being said, GM Jim Nill is aggressively trying to fix the current state of things and bring the Stars back to their former ways.

Not only him, but the team as well. All of this starts with a determined leader both on the ice and off the ice. Currently, that leader is Stars captain Jamie Benn. After being named captain before the 2013-2014 season, Benn has proven to be a more than capable leader that knows how to help the team succeed.

But over the past 22 years, the Dallas Stars have seen a few different captains, all who have succeeded more or less in helping carry the team. Today, we will look at the top five captains in Dallas Stars history. Now to be clear, this article ranks the five players and their time as captain. This is not ranking them in regards to their entire career. That’s why you may think some players are out of place. But here they are.

Next: #5 Neal Broten

Mar 10, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the retired numbers of former Dallas Stars players Bill Masterton (19) and Bill Goldsworthy (8) and Neal Broten (7) and Mike Modano (9) before the game between the Stars and the Columbus Blue Jackets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Neal Broten:

To make things clear, the Dallas Stars have only seen the likes of six captains since transitioning to Texas. But nonetheless, we are ranking the top five, starting with Neal Broten.

To be perfectly fair, Broten did not spend much time as captain of the Stars. After the team moved in 1993, Broten took the “C” in 1994. He would only wear it until February 1995 when he was traded to the New Jersey Devils.

But nonetheless, Broten had a long tenure with the Stars organization, the majority of it being with the Minnesota North Stars. He spent 13 seasons with the North Stars team, joining the club in 1980 and sticking with them through the relocation.

He was not known for his size or physicality, standing at 5-9 and weighing in around 175 pounds. But his offensive abilities were stellar. Through his entire tenure with the Stars organization, Broten posted 274 goals and 867 points in 992 games. With the Dallas Stars club, Broten put up 56 points in 96 games before being shipped to New Jersey.

A memorable moment in Broten’s career was fighting “The Great One,” Wayne Gretzky. The fight took place in the middle of a contest between the North Stars and Edmonton Oilers. But perhaps his most famous moment was when he became the first American-born player to score 100 points in a season. He did that in 1986 as a member of the North Stars.

Though he was only with the Dallas Stars for a year and a half, Neal Broten left a lasting impact on the franchise. As a result, his #7 is one of the four retired numbers hanging in the rafters of the AAC by the Stars organization (pictured above).

Next: #4 Mike Modano

Oct 3, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars former center Mike Modano is introduced before the game between the Stars and the Florida Panthers at the American Airlines Center. The Panthers defeated the Stars 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Modano:

After Neal Broten, it truly is a tossup the rest of the way. While the final four players are pretty clear, their rankings could go a number of different ways considering each one has their own set of positives and negatives. But here is a rough estimate of where they land.

If you’re surprised, you may not be quite the Dallas Stars fan you may think you are.

Mike Modano is considered by most to be the greatest player to ever be a member of the Dallas Stars organization. His presence on the team was indescribably invaluable, to put it plainly. After being drafted in the first round by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft, Modano stuck with the Stars for years upon years.

Now a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame just three years after retirement, he is widely considered to be the greatest USA-born hockey player of all time. The Dallas Stars were lucky to have such a shining star for 16 long and exciting seasons. After 1459 games with the Stars organization, Modano finished with 557 goals and 1359 points. This means that while being a Star, Modano finished just 100 points short of being a point-per-game player, a feat very few even come close to in the first place.

Modano is one of only four players to have his number retired in the organization, and is the only one of the four who is considered a Dallas Star. Though Modano was only captain for two seasons, he made a lasting impact on the organization that stretches long past the boundaries of simply leadership. But Modano still proved to be a decent leader to go along with his offensive skill.

Next: #3 Derian Hatcher

Mar 21, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the arena and American flag before the game between the Dallas Stars and the Chicago Blackhawks at the American Airlines Center. The Stars shut out the Blackhawks 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Derian Hatcher:

The Enforcer. It’s pretty easy to guess that Derian Hatcher would be included in the top five. After being drafted in the first round of the 1990 NHL Entry Draft, the 6-5, 235 lb. American defenseman immediately began to stick out. After two seasons with the North Stars, the team moved to Dallas, with Hatcher helping lead the way.

After Broten was sent to New Jersey, the Stars were in need of a new captain. Why not give the “C” to a towering defenseman that doesn’t allow anything to get in his way?

Taking the role in 1995, Hatcher became a dominating force for the Dallas Stars for the next eight years. After getting into multiple fights and delivering many a bone-crushing check (including one that broke a jaw), Hatcher was regarded as one of the greatest captains in franchise history. The biggest part of his tenure was that it was under Hatcher’s leadership that the Dallas Stars won their only Stanley Cup in 1999. As the overseer of a dominant and threatening roster in all three categories, Hatcher led them to victory in ’99 and even helped them return to the Cup in 2000, though they would eventually lose to the Devils.

Hatcher ended up tallying 294 points in 827 games, including a +88 on-ice rating during his time in Dallas. He also racked up 1380 penalty minutes, which translates to about 115 minutes per season.

He signed with the Detroit Red Wings in 2003, and ended up officially announcing his retirement six years later after short stints with the Wings and Philadelphia Flyers. Hatcher was a versatile force on the Stars and helped them dominate the late 90’s.

Next: #2 Brenden Morrow

Feb 5, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Brenden Morrow (10) waits for play to begin against the Dallas Stars during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Lightning defeated the Stars 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Brenden Morrow:

Brenden Morrow coming in at number two may come as a bit of a shock to some. Sure he didn’t win a Cup like Hatcher did. Sure he doesn’t have the offensive skills that Modano possesses. Sure he led the Dallas Stars through their longest playoff drought in franchise history.

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But what Brenden Morrow has going for him is the fact that he is the true definition of the word “leader.” After being drafted in 1997 by the Dallas Stars, he got his first crack at the NHL in the 1999-2000 season. This was the Stars second straight season of a Stanley Cup appearance, though in this one they would come up short. Morrow was a consistent throughout the early goings of his career, turning in around 40-50 points a season. But he truly was like an older version of the current Jamie Benn. Though Morrow was a little less talented on the offensive side, he did whatever he needed to in order to help his team succeed.

Morrow wasn’t afraid to get physical or drop the gloves with an opponent when the situation called for it. He was also an expendable player. Whether he was on the first or fourth line and whether you paired him up with 35 year old veterans or 20 year old rookies, he always knew how to contribute and involve his entire line.

This is probably why Brenden Morrow received the “C” from Mike Modano. Morrow served for 6 1/2 seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the lockout-shortened season. Morrow only led the Stars through two playoff appearances, but made quite the impact in both. His biggest impact was scoring the game-winning goal in the fourth overtime of game six during the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs. The goal officially sent the Stars to the Western Conference Finals and eliminated the San Jose Sharks.

Morrow may not have had the most success as captain, but his actions and decisions made him the true embodiment of the word “leader,” making him one of the greatest Stars captains of all time.

Next: #1 Jamie Benn