Dallas Stars SuperBracket: An Introduction

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The NCAA begins March Madness this week, a month-long annual tournament for both men and women in which 68 schools compete to cut down the nets at the Final Four’s end. What if we did something similar with the Dalllas Stars?

It’s March, Dallas Stars fans, and that means basketball tournament season for the men and women of the National Collegiate Athletic Association is upon us.

Every year, after a long and windy season of basketball action, the NCAA selects 68 lucky schools to compete in the “Big Dance” for the title of the nation’s basketball champions. At Blackout Dallas, we have our own way of doing things.

68 different Stars items – we’re talking players, jerseys, general managers, coaches, memorable moments, and even best seasons – fill out the first inaugural Blackout Dallas Stars SuperBracket (patent pending).

DEFENSEMEN

1 – Sergei Zubov
8 – Trevor Daley/Alex Goligoski

Sergei Zubov, the highest scoring defender in Dallas Stars history will take on the winner of a match between two current-era defensemen who longed a lot of time in green, Trevor Daley and Alex Goligoski.

4 – John Klingberg
5 – Stephane Robidas

John Klingberg, the young Swede by whom we are amazed – the sixth-place Norris Trophy finisher – faces a long-time Stars lockdown defenseman, Stephane Robidas.

3 – Darryl Sydor
6 – Craig Ludwig

Puck-moving aficionado Darryl Sydor, who played in three different stints for Dallas totalling 11 years, faces shot-blocking and penalty-killing fan favorite Craig Ludwig.

2 – Derian Hatcher
7 – Richard Matvichuk

Former Stars captain Derian Hatcher, a massive rearguard who was never fazed by opposing forwards, meets Richard Matvichuk, an all-around defensive dynamo.

Mar 2, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Jamie Benn (14) skates against the New York Islanders during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Benn scores two goals. The Islanders defeat the Stars 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

FORWARDS

1 – Mike Modano
8 – Loui Eriksson/Jamie Langenbrunner

Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Mike Modano, the highest scoring American-born NHLer ever, takes on two underrated yet dynamic forwards, Jamie Langenbrunner and Loui Eriksson.

4 – Brenden Morrow
5 – Brett Hull

Long-time Stars captain and heroic forward Brenden Morrow faces the Stars’ Cup-winning goal-scorer Brett Hull in round one.

3 – Jamie Benn
6 – Joe Nieuwendyk

Current Stars captain and superstar forward Jamie Benn takes on 1999 Come Smythe Trophy Winner Joe Nieuwendyk.

More from Blackout Dallas

2 – Jere Lehtinen
7 – Tyler Seguin

Three-time Selke Trophy winner and number-retiree Jere Lehtinen does battle with Stars goal-scoring extraordinaire Tyler Seguin.

Feb 4, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (32) faces the Chicago Blackhawks attack during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Blackhawks defeat the Stars 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

GOALTENDERS

1 – Marty Turco
8 – Darcy Wakaluk/Arturs Irbe

The all-time wins leader for the Stars franchise, Marty Turco, squares off with one of these two journeyman netminders, Darcy Wakaluk and Arturs Irbe.

4 – Roman Turek
5 – Antti Niemi

1999 Jennings Trophy Co-winner Roman Turek takes on current Stars tandem member and former Cup champ Antti Niemi.

3 – Kari Lehtonen
6 – Andy Moog

Six-year Stars starting goalie Kari Lehtonen faces the first Dallas winning crease guard and former Vezina winner Andy Moog.

2 – Ed Belfour
7 – Ron Tugnutt

Hockey Hall of Fame goalie Ed Belfour competes against serviceable veteran Ron Tugnutt.

Jun 24, 2016; Buffalo, NY, USA; Dallas Stars head coach Lindy Ruff announces the team’s first round of the 2016 NHL Draft at the First Niagra Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /

COACHES

1 – Ken Hitchcock
8 – Jeff Reese

1999 Cup-winning Stars head coach Ken Hitchcock will meet current goalie coach Jeff Reese.

4 – Dave Tippett
5 – Glen Gulutzen

Both active coaches in the NHL, Dave Tippett (Arizona) takes on Glen Gulutzen (Calgary) in round one.

3 – Lindy Ruff
6 – Marc Armstrong

Current Stars coach (for now) Lindy Ruff battles former Dallas bench boss Marc Armstrong.

2 – Bob Gainey
7 – Rick Wilson

Bob Gainey, the first Stars head coach in Dallas history, faces Rick Wilson, formerly the Stars headman.

MOMENTS

1 – Jamie Benn’s Art Ross Victory
8 – 2016 Central Division Championship/First playoff berth in five years (2013-14)

Jamie Benn’s final-minute Art Ross clinching assist on Cody Eakin’s late goal vs Nashville in 2014-15 faces the winner of the Stars earning a Playoff berth for the first time in five years back in 2013-14, and their Central Division title last year.

GENERAL MANAGERS

1 – Bob Gainey
8 – Mark Janko

The first GM in Dallas Stars history, who was responsible for building the super team that won the Cup, Bob Gainey, faces current assistant GM Mark Janko.

4 – Les Jackson
5 – Joe Nieuwendyk

Two former Stars GMs in their struggling, nearly bankrupt days, Les Jackson and Joe Nieuwendyk face off in round one.

3 – Doug Armstrong
6 – Brett Hull

Doug Armstrong, the first replacement for Bob Gainey and just the second GM in Stars history, faces former GM Brett Hull.

2 – Jim Nill
7 – Scott White

Current Stars employees Jim Nill (Dallas Stars general manager) and Scott White (Texas Stars general manager) face off in the first round.

Mar 6, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Dallas Stars center Jason Spezza (90) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

JERSEYS

1 – 2007-08 to 2012-13 Home
8 – “Mooterus”/1999 to 06 Away

The 2007-08 to 2012-13 home jersey, a black design that simply said “DALLAS” across the breastplate, faces the winner of the infamous Mooterus alternate design and the 1999-00 to 2006-07 Whites.

4 – Victory Green Home
5 – Victory Green Away

Both the home and away jerseys of the Victory Green era face off in this 4v5 matchup.

3 – 1993-94 Black and White
6 – 2007-08 to 2012-13 Away

The inaugural Dallas Stars season featured black and white jerseys adapted from that of the Minnesota North Stars, and those sweaters face the 07-08 to 12-13 White aways.

2 – 1993-94 White
7 – 1995 Black

The 1993 Stars also had a white sweater, as whites were the home squad’s color at that time in the NHL. They take on the 1995 Blacks that became much brighter and more Dallas-like.

Next: Ruff Is Not To Blame For The Stars' Bad Season

Stay tuned to Blackout Dallas for the tournament results and competitions!

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