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Dallas Stars: Dave Strader Headed For Hockey Hall of Fame

By Josh Clark |
Jan 31, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the puck and fthe face-off circle during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Toronto Maple Leafs at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Maple Leafs 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; A view of the puck and fthe face-off circle during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Toronto Maple Leafs at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeat the Maple Leafs 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Stars may not be in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but they are still seeing stints of success that should be celebrated. One of those is of course Dave Strader being chosen for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

It’s a typical Saturday afternoon in the NHL for mid-April. Three Stanley Cup Playoff games are on tap, including one between the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues that is playing out as I type this.

And, as you have probably figured out by now, the Dallas Stars are not involved in this year’s bracket. After an ugly 34-37-11 record, playoff hockey skipped over Dallas this year, giving the Stars a long offseason to work on their problems.

But one certain member of the organization received the chance to take part in the postseason. That’s broadcaster and play-by-play man Dave Strader.

Strader was invited to commentate the first two games of the Washington Capitals-Toronto Maple Leafs series and did a stellar job in both, just as he always does.

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Game one was Strader’s first game to call since February 26th, 2017, and was only his sixth game to call this season.

That’s because in June 2016, Strader was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, or bile duct cancer. Since then, he has undergone a serious and consistent treatment process that forced him to put his broadcasting career on hold.

Over the course of this season, Dallas Stars and NHL fans alike have been looking for any opportunity to see or hear from Strader during his fight. The first big chance came on February 18 when he made his first return to the booth.

After receiving a break from treatment, he was medically cleared to call each of the games on the Stars’ five-game homestand spanning from February 18-26. In his first game back, the Stars came back from down 2-0 to win a 4-3 overtime shocker against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The win was behind the hot stick of Antoine Roussel, who tallied his first ever hat trick in the game.

It was the “best medicine,” as he put it. The Stars would end up going 3-2-0, one of their best runs of the season, with Strader back in the seat.

Following the homestand, he returned home and resumed treatments. The opportunity to call the Washington-Toronto series was another bright spot for not only Strader, but also for Dallas Stars fans.

And now Dave Strader received another positive opportunity in the recovery trail back: having his broadcasting legacy forever immortalized in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

A few days back, Strader was announced as the recipient of the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award for outstanding contributions as a hockey broadcaster. He will received the award at the Hockey Hall of Fame NHL Media Awards Luncheon in Toronto on November 13, 2017. The award plaque he receives will be put on display in the great hall at the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The inspiration and legacy that Strader’s story has influenced the hockey community greatly, especially over the past year.

Next: Why You Should Be Cool With Stars Missing The Playoffs

And as all Dallas Stars fans know, there really isn’t a better choice for this award. Strader’s fight has kept Stars’ fans hopeful and supportive throughout the past year, and he’s been an inspiration to all.

Cheers to you, Dave. Well deserved.

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