Don't know what you're doing tonight, but if you want to say goodbye to the face of Dallas hockey you'd better head down to the American Airlines Center. Because tonight's game against the Anaheim Ducks will likely be the last home appearance in the star-studded career of Mike Modano.
He arrived with owner Norm Green in 1993 and since has set every franchise offensive record and in '99 delivered a Stanley Cup championship. But Modano's real legacy: He put hockey on the map in the Sun Belt.
Modano will turn 40 in June and his contract is up. He's invited his parents to Friday night's season finale, which will fittingly be played in Minnesota. He's interested in ownership. Add in the probable final appearance by free-agent-to-be goalie Marty Turco, and tonight will be the end of an era in Dallas Stars hockey.
Modano's been the good-looking face of the franchise. His pizzazz brought women to hockey and his trademark sweater flying in his jet stream dazzled us dudes.
His real legacy? When he arrived in North Texas hockey was a rumor. As he departs, there are 8,000 kids playing in 23 rinks.
Take a bow, Mike Modano. And send him off the right way, hockey fans.
