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

Nov 8, 2007 - 11:16 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.

"It has dragged me down a little bit emotionally, thinking about it every night, trying to make it happen every night," Modano said. "These two (goals) couldn't have been written up any better - first two shots, two goals. It was a relief."

"They were both good goals and everyone in the organization couldn't be happier for him," Dallas coach Dave Tippett said. "It's been phenomenal what he's meant to hockey in the United States and he has done this with so much class. I know he was getting frustrated, but the most important thing was to keep playing his game, and good things happened."

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

"I can finally take a deep breath and enjoy it a little bit," the former Stars captain 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."

"When you think about it, one guy stands out for what he means to American hockey," Dallas goaltender Marty Turco said. "I think it was fitting that it was on a breakaway from the red line, with the spotlight on him, all alone."

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 contests.

"It was something I was looking to at the start of the year to accomplish and get it over with, but it definitely means the most," said Modano, who also is the all-time leading American goal-scorer. "Certainly a lot of guys to thank - coaches and people in the organization, (former owner) Norm Green, (current owner) Tom Hicks, the whole crew, coaches past and present, and players along the way who've certainly helped out in that.

"You're thankful you've been in the game this long. You appreciate it more, certainly, as you've gotten older, and maybe the wait has forced me to appreciate it more."

The monumental achievement also was acknowledged by San Jose's Jeremy Roenick, a Boston native who himself is embarking on a personal milestone.

"I'm so proud of Mike Modano, he's been an idol of mine for a long time," said Roenick, who is one goal shy of 500 for his career. "I really think he's the greatest player ever to come out of America, and not only that, one of the greatest players ever to play the game. I've really been fortunate to play against him for many years, play with him on the Olympic team. You can't say enough about what he's done for the game, what he's done for the Dallas Stars and what he's done for American hockey."

The only drawback for Modano on Wednesday was the fact he was unable to set the record on home ice.

"I think the fans were kind of anticipating something to happen at home," he said. "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."

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, which would have tied him with Housley, 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 that 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."

Modano can rest easy now that the record is out of the way, but he might have to keep his guard up once the Stars return home from their four-game road trip.

"We're gonna spray-paint his house red, white and blue, and his car, and his wife," Turco joked.