All-Time Stars: The players we forgot were once Dallas Stars
By John Grux
![GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 13: Goaltender Tim Thomas #30 of the Dallas Stars in action during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on April 13, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Stars 1-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) GLENDALE, AZ - APRIL 13: Goaltender Tim Thomas #30 of the Dallas Stars in action during the NHL game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena on April 13, 2014 in Glendale, Arizona. The Coyotes defeated the Stars 1-0. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/9126b94d789e4f53c9599a87ba6fbebeffdb3bfbe686597bb853452fdefa945c.jpg)
2. Tim Thomas (2013-14)
Tim Thomas played 8 regular season games for the Dallas Stars in 2013-14. The net-minder was 2-4 with 2.97 GAA and a .902 SV%.
Thomas was 39 when acquired by the Stars from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Dan Ellis. At the time, Dallas was seeking a veteran goalie with playoff experience to serve as backup and reliever to Kari Lehtonen. The Stars swung the deal for Thomas on March 5, 2014, but it did not pan out.
Thomas was a fraction of his former self in Dallas. The one-time Stanley Cup champion saw action in one Stars playoff game, giving up a goal on 2 shots. It was the last time fans would see the USA Hockey Hall of Fame goalie in NHL action.
The Boston Bruins enjoyed the best years of Tim Thomas’s career. Thomas still holds the NHL record for most saves during a playoff run (798) and in a Stanley Cup Final series (238).
From the fan’s perspective, Thomas was mentally checked-out by the time he put on a Stars sweater. Still, his brief, often forgotten tenure in Dallas provides for one heck of a Stars trivia question.