Dallas Stars: Longtime Star Vernon Fiddler Announces Retirement

On July 1, 2016, Vernon Fiddler left the Dallas Stars after five seasons with the team. Today, he left the NHL by officially announcing his retirement. Dallas hockey will forever be impacted by no. 38’s time in Big D.

The people behind the camera are just as important as the ones in the spotlight.

As a sports media major in college, this theory has been engrained into my brain. Whether you are commentating the game or holding the cable for a camera off-screen, you must know that your role is vital. If you don’t believe that, the entire production could fall into jeopardy.

This theory can apply to just about anything, even hockey. And in many cases, the ones behind the scenes are even more critical. Vernon Fiddler proved that to the Dallas Stars.

Fiddler spent his entire NHL career working quietly behind the scenes while making a big impact. Today, he announced his retirement. The Dallas hockey community will forever be indebted to his five seasons in Big D. That’s because of the massive impact Fiddler had on the Dallas Stars franchise.

Dallas Stars

Fiddler announced his retirement this morning via his article on The Player’s Tribune. In it, he told his life story of how he came from being a kid in Alberta to an NHL player. His perseverance and determination is rather impressive.

In the article, he emphasizes about the sacrifices his family made, the different NHL clubs that took him in, and the relationships he made in each franchise.

Not many players make it from being undrafted to playing 877 games at the NHL level. But that’s just what Fiddler did. He made his mark on the NHL entirely through persevering, making sacrifices, and doing what matters most: making an impact.

Fiddler bounced around from Nashville, to Arizona, to Dallas, to New Jersey, and finally back to Nashville. He did happen to tip his cap to Dallas though in a special way.

“And let me say this right now: Sure, Dallas may be a Cowboys town, but y’all better believe they like their Stars,” Fiddler said about the team. He pointed out how it was nice to help better a quaint but powerful hockey community during his five seasons.

He called the Dallas Stars organization “world class” and pointed out how the five seasons in Texas truly changed his entire family. He also cited it as the reason why he and his family will continue to live in the Dallas community. To read the entire article and announcement, click here.

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During his time in Dallas, Fiddler played 366 games (more than he did with any other team), tallying 43 goals and 112 points. He averaged 12:59 on the ice per game in Dallas, but it didn’t matter. Fiddler made his presence known within the franchise simply from his gritty effort and big heart.

He made every shift count, led the younger players, and provide the Stars with quality depth. In addition, his charity “Fidd’s Kids” helped (and still helps) young children in the area affected by cancer. Fiddler stated in the article that he will continue to work with his foundation in the Dallas community.

From 2011-2016, Dallas Stars fans quickly learned the name of Fiddler. His passion was contagious and his energy was infectious. It was hard not to cheer extra loud when “Fidds” scored a goal or made a big play. And when he and the Stars parted ways in the 2016 offseason, Stars fans everywhere took it hard.

But now the Dallas Stars community has Vernon Fiddler locked in for the long run.

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We want to thank Fiddler for everything he did for the Dallas Stars franchise in his time here and for always giving his all. The Stars are better because of his presence.

So, for one last time, thank you Fidds. For everything. Enjoy the retired life and we’ll see you at some Stars games in the very near future.