| ARTICLES |
| Modano breaks points record for U.S.-born players Brian Compton | NHL.com Staff Writer | Nov 7, 2007 |
After both of his goals, Modano received a tremendous ovation from the Sharks’ faithful – a moment that surely he won’t soon forget.
“A lot of history here,” Modano said. “I’ve always enjoyed playing in San Jose, even back when they were in San Francisco. I’ve enjoyed it
here. They’ve been a classy organization. It’s a classy act on their part.”
Modano, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1988 Entry Draft, has played his entire career with the Stars franchise, beginning with the Minnesota
North Stars in 1989. The native of Livonia, Mich., has 511 goals and 722 assists in 1,253 games.
Modano originally was awarded an assist Wednesday on Sergei Zubov's power-play goal that gave Dallas a 4-3 lead with 9:53 left
against Chicago, though it appeared Modano had not touched the puck. The assist was taken away by official scorers after the game,
and Modano agreed with the decision.
"Someone screwed up. I wasn't even near that," Modano said. "It's unfortunate, another list of things that have happened lately that have
been surrounded by me. It kind of caps up the whole month, so I'm glad it's over.”
He was held scoreless in Friday’s 5-0 home loss to Phoenix. Modano has had nine 30-goal seasons, with a high of 50 in 1993-94. His
single-season high in points was 93, set in 1992-93 and matched the next season. He had 22 goals and 43 points in 59 games last
season, missing 23 games with hip and groin injuries.
“I can finally take a deep breath and enjoy it a little bit,” Modano said. “This is the last of the numbers situation, as far as records go. It
was the last one of the bunch, and it was something I was looking forward to at the start of the year to accomplish and get it over with.
But it definitely means the most. You’re thankful you’ve been in the game this long.”
Housley, who spent most of his 21-season career as a defenseman, finished with 338 goals and 894 points. His best season came
with the Winnipeg Jets in 1992-93, when he had 18 goals and 79 assists for 97 points.
“A lot of history here,” Modano said. “I’ve always enjoyed playing in San Jose, even back when they were in San Francisco. I’ve enjoyed it
here. They’ve been a classy organization. It’s a classy act on their part.”
Modano, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1988 Entry Draft, has played his entire career with the Stars franchise, beginning with the Minnesota
North Stars in 1989. The native of Livonia, Mich., has 511 goals and 722 assists in 1,253 games.
Modano originally was awarded an assist Wednesday on Sergei Zubov's power-play goal that gave Dallas a 4-3 lead with 9:53 left
against Chicago, though it appeared Modano had not touched the puck. The assist was taken away by official scorers after the game,
and Modano agreed with the decision.
"Someone screwed up. I wasn't even near that," Modano said. "It's unfortunate, another list of things that have happened lately that have
been surrounded by me. It kind of caps up the whole month, so I'm glad it's over.”
He was held scoreless in Friday’s 5-0 home loss to Phoenix. Modano has had nine 30-goal seasons, with a high of 50 in 1993-94. His
single-season high in points was 93, set in 1992-93 and matched the next season. He had 22 goals and 43 points in 59 games last
season, missing 23 games with hip and groin injuries.
“I can finally take a deep breath and enjoy it a little bit,” Modano said. “This is the last of the numbers situation, as far as records go. It
was the last one of the bunch, and it was something I was looking forward to at the start of the year to accomplish and get it over with.
But it definitely means the most. You’re thankful you’ve been in the game this long.”
Housley, who spent most of his 21-season career as a defenseman, finished with 338 goals and 894 points. His best season came
with the Winnipeg Jets in 1992-93, when he had 18 goals and 79 assists for 97 points.
Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars broke the record for points by a U.S.-
born player when he scored twice in the first 4:24 of Wednesday night’s
game against the San Jose Sharks at the HP Pavilion.
After being held without a point for three consecutive games, Modano
tied Housley’s record of 1,232 points just 2:19 into the contest with his
third goal of the season. That gave the 37-year-old 1,232 career points,
tying the mark set by Phil Housley from 1982-2003.
But the Stars’ veteran was far from done. Just over two minutes later,
No. 9 beat Sharks netminder Evgeni Nabokov on a breakaway to
become America’s new all-time leading scorer. It is his first two-goal
game since Mar. 17 of this year, when he accomplished the feat against
the Nashville Predators. It was his only two-goal game last season.
Modano began the season six points behind Housley’s mark but had
struggled in the early going. The assist was only his sixth point in
Dallas’ 13 games this season. He had only two points in the Stars’ first
nine games before getting a goal and an assist on Oct. 27 at Phoenix
and adding an assist at home two nights later against San Jose.
“I think the stretch at home was building,” Modano said. “I think the fans
were kind of anticipating something to happen at home. I had a lot of
friends and family at the games. It was something that weighed on your
mind. Every night, I went out there and tried to do something, but it wasn’
t meant to be. But it’s a great relief and a lot of weight off the shoulders.”
born player when he scored twice in the first 4:24 of Wednesday night’s
game against the San Jose Sharks at the HP Pavilion.
After being held without a point for three consecutive games, Modano
tied Housley’s record of 1,232 points just 2:19 into the contest with his
third goal of the season. That gave the 37-year-old 1,232 career points,
tying the mark set by Phil Housley from 1982-2003.
But the Stars’ veteran was far from done. Just over two minutes later,
No. 9 beat Sharks netminder Evgeni Nabokov on a breakaway to
become America’s new all-time leading scorer. It is his first two-goal
game since Mar. 17 of this year, when he accomplished the feat against
the Nashville Predators. It was his only two-goal game last season.
Modano began the season six points behind Housley’s mark but had
struggled in the early going. The assist was only his sixth point in
Dallas’ 13 games this season. He had only two points in the Stars’ first
nine games before getting a goal and an assist on Oct. 27 at Phoenix
and adding an assist at home two nights later against San Jose.
“I think the stretch at home was building,” Modano said. “I think the fans
were kind of anticipating something to happen at home. I had a lot of
friends and family at the games. It was something that weighed on your
mind. Every night, I went out there and tried to do something, but it wasn’
t meant to be. But it’s a great relief and a lot of weight off the shoulders.”
| Mike Modano is congratulated by teammate Philippe Boucher after his second goal against the Sharks. With the goal, Modano becomes the NHL's all time American-born leading scorer. |
