By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-910157.mp3
Dallas, TX – Mike Modano, longtime star' of the Dallas Stars, is OUT. KERA's BJ Austin says the team announced it will not renew Modano's contract.
Stars General Manager and former Modano teammate Joe Nieuwendyk admitted the decision to cut Modano loose was difficult.
Nieuwendyk: He's been an icon in this city for a long time.
Mike Modano came to Dallas in 1993, when the Minnesota North Stars moved "south". He quickly became the team's ambassador to new Texas hockey fans.
Nieuwendyk: For him to come in, in a non-hockey environment, and steal the thunder of Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith and become this icon that he's become is quite special. And I live seven years of it. You don't replace that.
But Nieuwendyk says the future of the Stars is with the young players. Modano becomes a free agent and could play for another team. That's something these Stars fans do NOT want to see.
Fans: That hurts. There's going to be a lot of upset fans. It'll be a shame if he does end up signing with someone else. I really can't see him playing for anybody else, and I hope he doesn't. And I hope somehow, someway, they'll bring him back. I hope he stays around because people in Dallas really love him.
The team is up for sale, and Nieuwendyk says he'll be the first one to talk to the new owner about an executive position for Modano. Modano reportedly has been looking at a partnership to possibly BUY the Stars. But the NHL's all time U.S. born scorer may want to continue on the ice. Nieuwendyk says he understands - been there/done that.
Nieuwendyk: And if he does decide to go play for another team, I'll support him on that, too. But I think everybody agrees that when he is done, he's always going to be a Dallas Star and the door is always open for him.