Last night was also possibly Mike Modano's last NHL game. After the game, he was named the #1 star of the night and skated on the ice wearing a Minnesota North Stars jersey. He had a great ovation from the Minnesota crowd. It was quite heartwarming. It shows lots of class from the Minnesota organization to honor him like that. His possible last game of his career was where he started his career.
---------Jim Crowell-----------
Michael Thomas Modano was born on June 7, 1970 in Livonia, Michigan to Michael, Sr. and Karen Modano. Mike has two older sisters, Sandy and Linda.
An energetic young boy, Mike found the sport of hockey at the age of 7. Immensely talented from the beginning, Mike worked hard playing for youth groups in and around his hometown. At the age of 15, he moved to Prince Albert Saskatchewan, Canada where he joined the Prince Albert Raiders. There he pursued his passion for hockey, honed his hockey skills and graduated from High School. His dream became a reality when, upon graduating high school in 1988, Mike was selected by the Minnesota North Stars as their #1 pick in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft. At the time, Mike was only the second American –born player to be chosen #1 (Brian Lawton being drafted in 1983). Mike played with Minnesota for five years until the franchise transferred to Dallas just before the 1993-94 season. The new Dallas Stars and their dynamic center begin a love affair with the city of Dallas, turning this traditional "football town" into a hockey hot bed in the middle of the great Southwest.
Mike has experienced both team and individual success with the Dallas Stars. In the 1999-2000 season, after only six years in Dallas, he led the Stars in their quest for the most coveted trophy in professional sports, the Stanley Cup. They have made it to the play offs every year since 2002. Because of his leadership both on and off the ice, in 2003 Mike was named Captain of the Dallas Stars, an honor that Brenden Morrow assumed in 2006.
On March 17, 2007 in an away game versus the Nashville Predators, Modano scored his 502nd and 503rd career regular-season goals, thus passing Joe Mullen's NHL record (502) for most goals scored by an American-born player. In October 2007, Mike looks to tie and break the record for all-time leading point producer among U.S. born players, currently held by Phil Housley. Along with the two prestigious NHL records, Mike holds all of the offensive Dallas Stars franchise records, including career points, career goals, career assists, career games played. His play-off record is just as impressive, as he holds the records for most play-off points, play-off goals, play-off assists and most play-off games played. Offensive fire-power combined with lightning-quick speed and full throttle skating style, make Mike a favorite with fans who selected him as a 7 time NHL All-Star. While distinct and distinguished, Mike’s career is not over yet. He plans on playing out his contract with the Dallas Stars and hopes to remain an integral part to the team and the sport when the time comes to throw in the competitive skates.
International competition has played a large role in Mike’s development as an aggressive hockey player. In 1996, 2004 and 2005 Mike played with Team USA in international competition winning a gold medal in the inaugural World Cup game in 1996. He was selected to play in the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan as well as the 2002 games in Salt Lake City, Utah where he led the team to a silver medal victory. His most recent appearance was in 2004 in Tornio, Italy where he served as the captain of the USA Hockey team. As a way to recognize him for his commitment to his country and the sport, in 2002, Modano received the prestigious USA Hockey Bob Johnson Award which recognizes excellence in international ice hockey competition.
When not on the ice, Mike is equally as passionate about his personal responsibilities to give back to the community. He continues to make a positive impact on the community by working with his Foundation. The Mike Modano Foundation provides resources and education for at-risk, particularly abused, abandoned and neglected children in the Dallas area. In 2002, Mike realized a dream when the Mike Modano Infant and Toddler Cottage, located on the campus of Jonathan’s Place, a safe haven for at-risk children, was opened. He continues to provide funding and resources to organizations whose purpose is to offer education to children and families to assist in reversing the devastating effects of child abuse.
Mike lives in Dallas with his wife, Willa Ford and their two golden retrievers, Scout and Bella.
--------------www.mikemodano.com--------------
Career Highlights
#1 Draft Pick 1988 | |
Holds record for career goals by a U.S.-born player | |
Broke the Star's franchise record for total career points (868) February 14, 2001 | |
Recorded 1000th career point - November 15, 2002 | |
Stanley Cup Champion 1999 | |
3 Time Olympian | |
6 Time NHL All-Star | |
NHL All-Star Team Captain - 2003 | |
7 Career Hat Tricks | |
Career-High 50 Goals -1993-94 | |
Most Goals in a Game: 4 | |
Most Assists in a Game: 4 (3 times) | |
Most Points in a Game: 6 | |
Most PIM in a Game: 16 | |
Most Shots in a Game: 11 | |
Goal Scoring Streak: 6 Games (4 times) | |
Assist Scoring Streak: 7 Games (2 times) Last from Dec. 7 - Dec. 21, 2005 (8 assists) | |
Point Scoring Streak: | |
Games Played Streak: | |
First NHL Game: | |
First NHL Goal: | |
First NHL Point
-------------------------www.mikemodano.com------------------ |
