Mike Modano

Michael Thomas Modano Jr. (; born June 7, 1970) is an American former professional ice hockey player. He played as a center and spent most of his career with the Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars franchise. He spent the final season of his career with his hometown Detroit Red Wings.

The all-time goal-scoring leader amongst American-born players in NHL history, Modano is widely regarded as one of the greatest American-born ice hockey players of all time. Modano was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on November 17, 2014. In 2017, he was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players. In 2019, he was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame. To spend his minor hockey career with the Detroit Little Caesar's Triple AAA Hockey Club, the Modano family moved to Westland, where he also attended Franklin High School (Livonia, Michigan). He made the Midget Major team at the age of fourteen when his teammates were two to three years older. In the 1984–85 season, Modano scored 50 goals and 50 assists on the way to win the USA Hockey National Championship in 1985. As a child Modano decided to pick the number 9 for his jersey in an homage to both Ted Williams, an idol of his Boston Red Sox fan father, and the Red Wings' own Gordie Howe.

Playing career

Minor leagues (1986–1988) In 1986, 16-year-old Modano was invited by coach Rick Wilson of the Prince Albert Raiders to come to Saskatchewan and join the Western Hockey League team. At his very first game, he scored a hat trick, and by his second year, Modano was part of the WHL All-Star Team. Four days after Modano's eighteenth birthday, the Minnesota North Stars selected him as the first overall draft pick in the 1988 NHL entry draft. Modano was the second American to be selected first overall in the draft, after Brian Lawton in 1983. Contract problems led Modano to play one more season with the Raiders. Helped by the acquisitions of Joe Nieuwendyk and Sergei Zubov, Modano led the Stars to the Central Division title in the 1996–97 season, but they lost in the opening round of the playoffs to the underdog Edmonton Oilers.

In the 1997–98 season, having acquired goaltender Ed Belfour, the Stars won the Presidents' Trophy with the league's top regular season record, edging out the New Jersey Devils. In the 1998 Stanley Cup playoffs the Stars defeated the San Jose Sharks in six games and the Edmonton Oilers in give games to reached the Western Conference Final where they fell in six games to the eventual back-to-back Stanley Cup champions, the Detroit Red Wings.

In the 1999-2000 season, the Stars captured their fourth straight Pacific Division title, although they only finished third in the Western Conference behind the St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings. In the playoffs, the Stars eliminated the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks, winning each series in five games. In a rematch with the Colorado Avalanche which went to seven games, the Stars captured their second consecutive Western Conference title. The Stars returned to the finals in 2000 against the New Jersey Devils. In game two, Modano assisted on both goals by Hull to give the Stars a 2-1 victory, and in game five, he deflected Hull's shot to score the winning goal past Martin Brodeur in triple overtime. In game six in Dallas, Modano assisted on Mike Keane's game-tying goal, but the Devils scored in double overtime to win the series 4–2. Hull and Modano led the postseason in scoring, with Modano putting together 23 playoff points for the second straight year.

Modano averaged 78 points per season from 1996 to 2002, and was also one of the NHL's top forwards in plus/minus over that span (his +43 in 1997 was second only to John LeClair's +44 mark). Modano's career high for points in a game is six (2–4–6) against the Anaheim Ducks, and he has seven career hat tricks. His only career fight was against Rod Brind'Amour. He was also a finalist for the Frank J. Selke Trophy (2001), and the Lady Byng Trophy (2003). In 2002-03, Modano was named the captain of the Western Conference All-Star team.

2005–2010 As the long-time face of the Dallas franchise, he has recorded over 1,000 NHL points and became the captain of the Stars in 2003. During the 2005 offseason, Modano contemplated signing with the Boston Bruins, but he decided to stay with the Stars after owner Tom Hicks got involved. Modano would sign a five-year contract extension with Dallas on August 5, 2005. On September 29, 2006, Brenden Morrow replaced him as the Stars' captain; Modano served an alternate captain from that time until 2010, a role in which he had previously served from 1995 to 2003.

Modano scored his 500th career regular-season goal on March 13, 2007, with 10:24 left in the 3rd period in a regulation win against Antero Niittymäki of the Philadelphia Flyers with assists by Antti Miettinen and Jon Klemm. He is only the 14th goal scorer to score 500 goals with a single team and the 39th player to reach 500 goals overall.

On March 17, 2007, in an away game versus the Nashville Predators, Modano scored his 502nd and 503rd career regular-season goals in a 3–2 loss, thus passing Joe Mullen's NHL record (502) for most goals scored by an American-born player.

Modano also holds the NHL all-time record for most points scored by a U.S.-born player. He broke the record, which previously belonged to Phil Housley, on November 7, 2007, by scoring two goals in the first five minutes, with the record-breaker being a short-handed goal on a breakaway, against the San Jose Sharks. That night, amongst his congratulatory phone calls was one from Air Force One, U.S. President George W. Bush spoke to him for a few minutes about the record.

The Stars' game on November 21, 2007, was named "Mike Modano Tribute Night" at American Airlines Center, where Modano was honored by the franchise for his achievements in U.S. hockey. Those who spoke in the pre-game ceremony included Brett Hull, Joe Mullen, Phil Housley, and Stars owner Tom Hicks. Capping off an emotional night, Modano later went on to score the game-tying goal, as well as a shootout goal in a 3–2 Stars victory against the Anaheim Ducks.

The Stars had their deepest playoff run since 2000 during the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, when they eliminated the defending champions Anaheim Ducks, before being eliminated in the Conference Final by the eventual champions Detroit Red Wings. With his production declining from 2007 to 2010, Modano played out the duration of his contract, which expired after the 2009–10 season. Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk decided to let Modano leave the organization after 22 years with the franchise. Nieuwendyk stated that not offering Modano a new contract was a difficult choice, as he played with Modano and considered him a friend. In the final game of that season (coincidentally played in Minnesota, where Modano began his pro career), Modano was saluted with a video tribute and a standing ovation, and named the game's first star, skating around the ice wearing a Minnesota North Stars jersey.

Detroit Red Wings (2010–2011)

On June 29, 2010, the Stars announced that Modano would not be re-signed to a contract for the 2010–11 season. After contemplating retirement or signing with the Detroit Red Wings (in his home state) or with the Minnesota Wild (in the state where he began his NHL career), Modano signed a one-year contract with the Red Wings. As the no. 9 jersey had been retired by the Red Wings, Modano went for no. 90 instead.

At 5:35 of the first period of Detroit's 2010–11 home opener, on just his second shift, Modano took a pass from Cleary and beat Anaheim goaltender Jonas Hiller for his first goal as a Red Wing.

Modano's time with the Red Wings ended on a sour note when Babcock made him a healthy scratch late in the season, even though the team had clinched a playoff berth, preventing him from reaching the milestone of 1,500 regular-season games played. Modano finished his career with 1,499 regular-season games played. Teammates Kris Draper and Nicklas Lidstrom were not pleased with Modano's benching which was an example of Babcock's coaching style which included "mind games". General manager Ken Holland has said in hindsight that if had he been aware of this snub, he would have intervened to have Modano play in order to reach the milestone. Modano retired after the Red Wings lost in the second round of the playoffs to the San Jose Sharks.

Post-playing career On September 23, 2011, after 21 seasons in the NHL, Modano officially announced his retirement from hockey at a press conference in Dallas. Modano was the last active player to have played in the 1980s, along with Mark Recchi, as well as the last active player to have played for the Minnesota North Stars. The Stars signed Modano to a one-day contract to allow Modano to retire as a Dallas Star. In January 2013, Modano became an alternate governor and executive advisor for the Stars' office. He described his role as regarding the "business side of the organization", attracting the involvement of local businesses to the team, as well as getting more fans to Stars games.

In May 2019, Modano was hired by the Minnesota Wild to serve as an executive advisor in the front office.

Modano is the founder and current Vice President of the Mike Modano Foundation, Inc., which raises awareness and funding for organizations offering education and assistance to children and families affected by child abuse, acts with canine rescue and has also united with the Wounded Warrior Project.

Modano made a brief cameo appearance alongside then-teammate Basil McRae in the 1992 film The Mighty Ducks. Modano received a membership voucher to the Screen Actors Guild for the role.

In 2003, the town of Westland, where Modano lived during his minor hockey career and his parents still reside, renamed their ice rink as Mike Modano Ice Arena.

Hull and Modano ran a Dallas restaurant, Hully & Mo Restaurant and Tap Room, from 2008 to 2012.

Modano is an avid golfer, having met his second wife on a golf course, and playing in some tournaments after retirement. The result of his shot going in gave him a tie for lead with John Smoltz going into the 3rd and final round.

Legacy Modano in January 2008. His jersey was retired by the Dallas Stars in 2014, the same year he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Modano holds numerous records and accolades in NHL history, such as goals by a player born in the United States with 561, career playoff points by an American-born player with 146, and games played by an American-born forward with 1499. These achievements and others led to many peers and sportswriters regarding Modano as one of the greatest American-born ice hockey players of all time.

During his playing career, he was known for his speed, offensive instincts, scoring, puck-handling, and skating ability, and regarded for his well-rounded style of play and skillset.

On March 8, 2014, the Dallas Stars retired Modano's #9 jersey. At that time he was only the 4th player in franchise history to have that honor.

On November 17, 2014, Modano was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

For the 100th anniversary of the NHL in January 2017, Modano was named one of the 100 Greatest NHL Players, voted in by a panel of 58 people, including media members, NHL alumni and NHL executives.

In February 2019, Modano was inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame.

In December 2022, The Athletic ranked Modano at #51 on its "NHL99" list of the 100 best players in modern NHL history. The statue honoring Modano, designed by Omri Amrany, is located in the PNC Plaza outside of the arena, alongside one of Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki.

Personal life

During his tenure with the Stars, Modano started dating Kerri Nelson, sister of his teammates Jeff and Todd Nelson.

On November 30, 2006, singer/songwriter Willa Ford announced that Modano, her long-time boyfriend, had proposed to her during the weekend of Thanksgiving, 2006. Modano and Ford were married in a small ceremony in Athens, Texas, on August 25, 2007, where Brett Hull and Darryl Sydor attended as Modano's co-best men. Ford was asked by the NHL to blog the Stars' 2007 playoff series; her posts were well-received, and her support of her husband quite vocal. In August 2012, Ford and Modano announced that they were divorcing.

Modano married professional golfer Allison Micheletti, daughter and niece of former NHL players Joe Micheletti and Pat Micheletti, respectively, on September 1, 2013. They have twins (Jack and Kate), born in 2014 as well as a daughter, Reese (born 2016), son, Luca (born 2018), and daughter, Quinn (born 2020).

Career achievements

Awards East First All-Star Team (WHL) – 1989 NHL All-Rookie team – 1990 NHL All-Star Games – 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2003 (as the Western Conference team captain), 2004, 2007 (as the Special Ambassador), 2009 Stanley Cup champion – 1999 NHL second All-Star team – 2000 Dallas Stars #9 jersey retired – 2014 Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2014 Inducted into the IIHF Hall of Fame in 2019

Records

NHL Goals by a player born in the United States (561) Playoff points by an American-born player, career (146) Games played by an American-born forward (1499) Game-winning goals by an American-born player (92)

Minnesota North Stars/Dallas Stars Games played, regular season and playoffs (1459, 174) Goals, regular season and playoffs (557, 58) Assists, regular season and playoffs (802, 87) Points, regular season and playoffs (1359, 145)

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular seasonPlayoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1985–86 Detroit Compuware MNHL 69 66 65 131 32 — — — — — 1986–87 Prince Albert Raiders WHL 70 32 30 62 96 8 1 4 5 4 1987–88 Prince Albert Raiders WHL 65 47 80 127 80 9 7 11 18 18 1988–89 Prince Albert Raiders WHL 41 39 66 105 74 — — — — — 1988–89 Minnesota North Stars NHL — — — — — 2 0 0 0 0 1989–90 Minnesota North Stars NHL 80 29 46 75 63 7 1 1 2 12 1990–91 Minnesota North Stars NHL 79 28 36 64 65 23 8 12 20 6 1991–92 Minnesota North Stars NHL 76 33 44 77 46 7 3 2 5 4 1992–93 Minnesota North Stars NHL 82 33 60 93 83 — — — — — 1993–94 Dallas Stars NHL 76 50 43 93 54 9 7 3 10 16 1994–95 Dallas Stars NHL 30 12 17 29 8 — — — — — 1995–96 Dallas Stars NHL 78 36 45 81 63 — — — — — 1996–97 Dallas Stars NHL 80 35 48 83 42 7 4 1 5 0 1997–98 Dallas Stars NHL 52 21 38 59 32 17 4 10 14 12 1998–99 Dallas Stars NHL 77 34 47 81 44 23 5 18 23 16 1999–2000 Dallas Stars NHL 77 38 43 81 48 23 10 13 23 10 2000–01 Dallas Stars NHL 81 33 51 84 52 9 3 4 7 0 2001–02 Dallas Stars NHL 78 34 43 77 38 — — — — — 2002–03 Dallas Stars NHL 79 28 57 85 30 12 5 10 15 4 2003–04 Dallas Stars NHL 76 14 30 44 46 5 1 2 3 8 2005–06 Dallas Stars NHL 78 27 50 77 58 5 1 3 4 4 2006–07 Dallas Stars NHL 59 22 21 43 34 7 1 1 2 4 2007–08 Dallas Stars NHL 82 21 36 57 48 18 5 7 12 22 2008–09 Dallas Stars NHL 80 15 31 46 46 — — — — — 2009–10 Dallas Stars NHL 59 14 16 30 22 — — — — — 2010–11 Detroit Red Wings NHL 40 4 11 15 8 2 0 1 1 0NHL totals 1,499 561 813 1,374 926 176 58 88 146 128

International

Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 1988 United States WJC 7 4 1 5 8 1989 United States WJC 7 6 9 15 12 1990 United States WC 8 3 3 6 2 1991 United States CC 8 2 7 9 2 1993 United States WC 6 0 0 0 2 1996 United States WCH 7 2 4 6 4 1998 United States OG 4 2 0 2 0 2002 United States OG 6 0 6 6 4 2004 United States WCH 5 1 5 6 0 2005 United States WC 7 3 1 4 4 2006 United States OG 6 2 0 2 6Senior totals 57 15 26 41 24