All-Time Stars: The top 5 forwards in Dallas Stars history
By John Grux
![LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 27: Jere Lehtinen #26 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on March 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 27: Jere Lehtinen #26 of the Dallas Stars skates against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center on March 27, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/7d638668f089f68b3b0c1ca16858e05aa401680e915ccbf4c49c7dc24cabd2ee.jpg)
1. Mike Modano (1989-2010)
There will never be a Dallas Stars tenure or legacy that comes close to Mike Modano’s. Such feat will not happen due to the current and future states of NHL player movement. Regardless, was there any doubt Modano would remain at the top spot of our “All Time Stars” forwards list?
We hate to, again, pick on younger Stars fans by suggesting a they may not understand just how good Modano was during his career. However, younger Stars fans do not understand just how good Modano was during his career.
The Michigan native was the 1st overall pick of the 1988 entry draft and far exceeded what the old North Stars anticipated . Modano was the ice hockey equivalent of a 5-tool player in the game of baseball. Brett Hull summed up his former teammate’s abilities best by saying:
"He is a jack of all trades and master of all of them…[he] can shoot, pass, skate, play defense, kill penalties and run a power play. And he’s one of the top three physically fit people I ever played with."
If there is a professional ice hockey measurable, Mike Modano’s name is embossed at or near the top. He played 1,499 games and posted 1,374 points over his 21-year career. Additionally, Modano remains the all-time leader in goals and points for a U.S.-born professional ice hockey player.
Mike Modano brought a combination of speed and physicality to the ice that was rare during his era. The Hall of Fame forward could win a one-on-one situation, rip a 100 mph slap shot from the line, or bang it out along the boards. Modano was an elite NHL player throughout a majority of his career and carried himself with humility and great respect.
Mike Modano is the Dallas Stars and we do not see that changing any time in the near future.