American Made, Baby!

Hello and Happy Thursday everyone!

Another week quickly rolls on by. We are finally going to say goodbye to summer and welcome autumn in less than 24 hours. What a summer it was! Titles for North Texas, record heat, road trips, triumphs and tragedies, amongst other things as we in the South dealt with some severe tests. 

As Autumn now comes into full bloom and we think about things indoors, like the hardwood (maybe) and the ice rink, fans of the Stars can now take a moment to look back on a 21 career for the pride of Livonia, Michigan. Mike Modano announced his retirement from hockey yesterday and will be doing a webcast Friday at 1pm CST. So many things pop into my mind when I think of the #1 goal scorer on this continent. That and a host of other records.

4/8/10 his last home game in Dallas against the Ducks. As the clock wound down and the videoboard focused on Mike you saw the tears well up and the roar of the crowd continue for a solid four minutes. It got louder and louder. The game went to overtime and Mike shot the game winner-how appropriate!

11/21/07: the same day Oklahoma celebrates its Centennial I was standing in Section 112 by my usher buddy Marcus watching Mike Modano getting honored for the career he had as the all-time leading American scorer. 

3/18/07: With pal Sondi as my date, and history about to be made at the AAC, watching Mike Modano get goals #503 to thunderous applause.

8/11/06: Standing in line at the Galleria awaiting getting his signed hockey card as a season ticket holder in North Texas. The line went on forever and ever. Mike didn't say much but boy did he sign cards! 

No one remembers that Johnny Unitas ended his career in San Diego, or Emmitt Smith in Arizona, or Modano in Detroit. As fans we choose to remember where our heroes shined the brightest on the team with the most longevity! Two decades of hockey first in Minnesota then Dallas made many a new fan. In his prime, Mike Modano was one of a kind. Great to his players and even greater in the community.

I was hoping we'd see some kind of parade in Dallas like last June 16th for the Mavericks. Alas, that simply is not to be. You can expect him to wind up in the Dallas front office alongside Brett Hull at some point. Thank You Mike for 22 memorable years, and best wishes in retirement!

A fan for life!

Cooler temps for this day before the heat returns on Saturday-again!

Over and out in Big D.

Mr. Will