Stars to retire Modano's jersey next season

Frisco, TX – The Dallas Stars are about to bestow another honor on franchise icon and future Hall of Famer Mike Modano.

The club announced on Tuesday its intention to retire Modano's No. 9 during a ceremony on March 8, 2014 prior to a home game against the Minnesota Wild.

Modano will be the fourth member of the franchise to be so honored, but the first whose bulk of his memorable career took place in Dallas rather than in the Twin Cities.

He'll join Bill Masterton (19), Bill Goldsworthy (8) and Neal Broten (7) -- all former North Stars -- with jerseys raised to the rafters.

"Mike Modano is a once-in-a-generation player and an American hockey icon," said Dallas Stars President and CEO Jim Lites. "His contributions to our team, including winning the Stanley Cup and helping build hockey in Texas are immeasurable. We're proud of everything Mike accomplished in a Stars uniform and are honored that his number 9 will hang in our rafters."

The all-time leading scorer among American-born NHL players called it a career in September of 2011, having signed a one-day contract to retire as a Star to cap a 21-year NHL career.

Modano finished his career with 561 goals and 1,374 points, at the time ranking 23rd all-time in goals scored and 22nd in points. He remains first in both categories for players born in the United States, and also tops the NHL list for Americans in playoff points (145) and games played (1,499).

The slick play-making center spent his first 20 seasons with the Dallas/Minnesota franchise after the club made him the top overall pick of the 1988 draft. The Michigan native then went to play for the Detroit Red Wings in 2010-11.

Modano blossomed into a superstar in Dallas and helped transform the franchise into a perennial Stanley Cup contender. The Stars won their lone title in 1999, beating the Buffalo Sabres, then lost to New Jersey in the Cup Finals the following spring.

He holds numerous Stars records, including 1,459 games played, 557 goals and 1,359 points. He also racked up the most 30-goal seasons in club history with nine, reaching 50 goals for the only time during the 1993-94 campaign -- the team's initial season in Dallas.

In addition, he is also the club's all-time leader in postseason goals (58), assists (87) and points (145) in 174 playoff games.