Stars C Modano becomes all-time leading American-born scorer

Nov 8, 2007 - 4:52 AM SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) -- Mike Modano became the all-time leading scorer among American-born players Wednesday, when he scored two goals in the first 4:24 of the Dallas Stars' game against the San Jose Sharks.

The tallies gave Modano 1,233 career points, moving him past former All-Star defenseman Phil Housley on the list. The 37-year-old native of Livonia, Michigan had gone three straight games without appearing on the scoresheet.

After opening the scoring at 2:19 with his third goal of the season, Modano made history just 2:05 later with a shorthanded tally - his 511th career goal.

The six-time All-Star and three-time Olympian needed just 1,253 games to pass Housley, who recorded 1,232 points in 1,495 career games.

Modano was drafted first overall by the Minnesota North Stars in 1988 and has spent his entire career with the franchise, helping Dallas to its only Stanley Cup championship in 1999.

Housley, however, suited up for eight teams over 21 seasons. He played with the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, St. Louis Blues, Calgary Flames, New Jersey Devils, Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Modano originally was credited with an assist last Wednesday in Dallas' 5-4 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, but it was taken away shortly after the game.

The veteran center was given the secondary assist on defenseman Sergei Zubov's power-play goal midway through the third period that gave Dallas a 4-3 lead. However, video replays of the play showed Modano never touched the puck, and following the game, the official scorers took away the assist.

"Someone screwed up, it's partly why I didn't want to stand up (during the crowd's ovation)," Modano said after the contest. "After a moment, I stood to get it over with and get the game running again. Somebody else figured it, but I told them after the game, you can't do it that way."