The Dallas Stars have been based in Dallas, Texas, since 1993. But did you know the Stars were based in Bloomington, Minnesota, from 1967 to 1993? If not, don’t worry. Here are ten little-known facts about the Stars.
10. Minnesota North Stars’ Initial Success
The Minnesota North Stars were successful in the late 1960s and early 1970s but fell victim to financial issues in the mid-1970s.
The North Stars merged with the Cleveland Barons in 1978. However, both teams were on the verge of folding, so the former temporarily remained the North Stars while the latter permanently retired its franchise records.
The North Stars’ declining profits eventually suffered and called for a move to become the Dallas Stars. The North Stars’ move was finalized on March 10, 1993.
9. Minnesota North Stars’ Many Issues
Aside from financial issues, the Minnesota North Stars also made headlines for personal matters.
North Stars owner Norman Green was accused of sexual harassment by many female employees in 1992.
Before 1992, North Stars right wing Dino Ciccarelli was sentenced to one day in jail and fined $800 for assaulting an opponent’s player with a hockey stick during a hockey game. Ciccarelli became the first North American athlete to go to jail for a game-related incident.
Provincial Court judge Sidney Harris warned that such attacks “could lead to violence spilling from the arena to the street,” according to UPI.
8. Brotherly Love
Jamie Benn‘s older brother, Jordie Benn, played for the Dallas Stars from 2011 to 2017.
Jamie Benn, a left-wing, has served as the Dallas Stars’ captain since 2013. Benn is currently the longest-tenured captain in franchise history. But did you know Jamie’s brother Jordie joined Dallas in 2011? If not, don’t sweat it.
Jordie Benn, a defenseman that shoots left, was born Phillip Jordan Ellis Benn on July 26, 1987. He’s currently an unrestricted free agent. He last played for the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs in 2022-23.
Jordie, who will turn 36 on July 26, can still sign with a new NHL team. Despite being a journeyman, his longest tenure was with the Dallas Stars after playing two seasons with the AHL’s Texas Stars from 2010-12 and the CHL’s Allen Americans from 2009-10. He made his NHL debut against the Detroit Red Wings on January 3, 2012, and recorded his first NHL point, which was assisted by Jamie, on a goal by forward Loui Eriksson. Eriksson currently plays for the SHL’s Frölunda HC.
7. The Robertsons
Jason Robertson‘s younger brother, Nicholas Robertson, also plays in the NHL.
Nicholas Robertson, born on September 11, 2001, is two years younger than his older brother, Jason Robertson. Jason was born on July 22, 1999.
Nicholas was drafted 53rd overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2019 NHL Draft. He has split time between the Maple Leafs and the AHL’s Toronto Marlies since 2019. He made his NHL debut during the 2020 NHL playoffs, where he recorded one goal in four playoff games. He previously played for the OHL’s Peterborough Petes.
Speaking of siblings, Jason and Nicholas have a sister Brianne. Brianne is a professional jiujitsu.
6. Sobriety Is Possible
Former Dallas Stars head coach Jim Montgomery took about one month to address why the team fired him in 2020. Montgomery was an assistant coach for the St. Louis Blues from 2020-22. After that, he has served as the head coach of the Boston Bruins since 2022.
Montgomery said in his first public comment, “Losing my job as head coach of the Dallas Stars last month was a wake-up call. It was also the [appropriate] call. I let the team’s front office, staff, and players down. More importantly, I let my wife and my family down. The team’s decision to end my role forced me to look into the mirror and decide whether I wanted to continue living a damaging lifestyle or get help. I decided to get help. I turned to professionals in the field of alcohol abuse for their guidance and counseling. It has been an overwhelming and a [very] humbling experience knowing that I am not alone.”
“Today, with the unconditional support of my wife and family, and many close friends, I took another step forward by admitting myself into an inpatient residential program, where I intend to [take the steps] to be a better husband, father, friend, coach, and mentor – one day at a time. It’s a process I am committed to. As I do this, I ask that my family’s privacy be respected. Thanks, Monty.”
Montgomery won the 2022-23 Jack Adams Award at the 2023 NHL Awards. Although he isn’t perfect, it’s safe to say he has been on the right track. Keep up the great work!
5. So, You Want to Be a Pilot?
Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars legend Mike Modano had a rather unexpected dream job.
Modano played most of his career in Bloomington and Dallas before his final season with the Detroit Red Wings in 2010-11. He was drafted first overall by the North Stars in the 1988 NHL Draft.
According to MikeModano.com, Modano’s dream job was a pilot. Although aviation is one of my passions, I guessed incorrectly and said an author. In reality, he wanted to fly the friendly skies. Did you guess correctly?
4. Leaving the Law
Dallas Stars head coach Pete DeBoer was supposed to be a lawyer.
In another life, Pete DeBoer’s title would’ve been Peter DeBoer, Esquire, after his professional hockey career ended. He was drafted 237th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 1988 NHL Draft. He played for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires and the IHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. He graduated from a dual law program with law degrees from the University of Windsor and the University of Detroit.
Florida Panthers head coach Maurice Richards introduced Pete DeBoer to coaching. Both knew each other since they played for the Spitfires from 1985-87. Before the 1993-94 NHL season, Richard asked DeBoer if he wanted to help him coach the Detroit Junior Red Wings — and the rest was history.
3. Dallas Stars Ice Girls Are Pioneers
The Dallas Stars Ice Girls aren’t as prominent as the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, but the DSIG deserves better. After all, the DSIG was one of the NHL’s first ice girl teams to introduce swimsuit calendars.
Like the DCC’s swimsuit calendar, the DSIG’s swimsuit calendar’s in high demand annually by fans worldwide. The DSIG, however, makes less than the DCC. The average Dallas Stars Ice Girl can earn up to $15 per hour, while the average Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader can earn up to $20 per hour.
The DSIG not only cleans the ice during breaks, but they also coach young girls in figure skating, visit non-profit organizations and volunteer in the Dallas area, and appear and perform at special events. The NHL should take note and raise the DSIG’s salaries to those similar to the DCC’s.
2. A Family Affair
Some NHL players have relatives who also play/played hockey.
However, all of Tyler Seguin’s immediate family played hockey. Tyler’s father, Paul, played defense in NCAA hockey at the University of Vermont, where he was roommates with future NHL star John LeClair. His mother, Jackie, played as a center for the Brampton Canadettes Girls Hockey Association. His sisters, Candace and Cassidy, also played as centers.
Tyler has served as alternate captain and a center for the Dallas Stars since 2013.
1. Hockey vs. Baseball
Jamie Benn is best known as the longest-tenured captain in Dallas Stars’ history.
Benn, a left-wing, was drafted 129th overall in the 2007 NHL Draft out of the BCHL’s Victoria Grizzlies. He made the Stars’ roster ahead of the 2009-10 NHL season and scored his first NHL goal on October 11, 2009. He became the Stars’ sixth captain on September 19, 2013.
Benn’s one of the best Canadian hockey players in the business. But if he didn’t get drafted by the NHL, he would’ve pursued baseball. He played as a center fielder and first baseman and an occasional pitcher. He was a bold fielder and a high-powered hitter, like the type that would bat third. He fell in love with baseball because of his father, Randy, but later decided to play junior hockey.
Although Benn loves baseball and hockey equally, he once admitted to Sportsnet that he could watch baseball all day. Oh, and he enjoys Texas Rangers games in Arlington, Texas.
