Inching closer to the trade deadline, the Stars recently switched up their goalie tandem in a trade for the Sabres’ Jhonas Enroth. With goaltending on the mind, we look at the jersey numbers 26 through 38. Some of the best and most notorious goaltenders in Dallas Stars and Minnesota North Stars history held these numbers, and it’s time to judge who did the most for the organization.
To refresh your memory of the best #1-10 and #11-25, check out Ed Sarno’s analysis in this multi-part series.
Best #26-29 in Dallas Stars History
#26 Jere Lehtinen:
In 14 seasons with the Dallas Stars, Lehtinen tallied 514 points in 875 regular season games. Also a four-time Olympic medalist, the exceptional two-way forward was awarded three Selkes, and won one Stanley Cup while spending his entire NHL career with the Stars. Lehtinen is still regularly available at the Stars’ promotional events and works closely with the organization.
#27 Gilles Meloche:
Meloche holds the record for the fifth most wins as a goaltender in Stars history with 141 in 327 games. Across his career, Meloche surrendered 2756 goals against while playing for struggling teams. He is known as a great goaltender, despite his stats, after shutting out the four-time, defending Stanley Cup champion Canadiens at the Montreal Forum in the 1980 playoffs. Meloche later backstopped the North Stars’ series win over Montreal in that round.
#28 Bob Bassen:
Bassen only spent three seasons with the Stars during his 15-year NHL career, scoring 20 points total. However, Bassen still works with the Stars organization, serving as the Director of Alumni Relations. Bassen is currently set to play in the Second Annual Community Chest Alumni Game on March 15, 2015.
#29 Steve Ott:
As Dallas’ first-round draft pick in 2000, Steve Ott spent nine seasons with the Stars, scoring 220 points in 556 regular season games. In his time with Dallas, Ott was known as an enforcer who racked up penalty minutes, but also for his charity events. During his final season with the Stars, he hosted the inaugural Steve Ott Bike Rally, and regularly served as spokesman for the Dallas Stars Foundation’s Stick with Reading program.
Best #30-34 in Dallas Stars History
#30 Cesare “Hail Cesare” Maniago
Having played 420 games for the Minnesota North Stars, Maniago holds the record for the 2nd most games and minutes played in goal in Stars history. He also holds the record for 3rd most wins and shutouts, following Ed Belfour and Marty Turco.
#32 Kari Lehtonen:
Lehtonen currently ranks 7th overall in games played in goal for the Stars organization, and 4th overall in wins. In 288 games, Lehtonen has scored the second most points with 18 assists, following only Marty Turco’s 22 points in his Stars career.
#33 Don Beaupre:
Beaupre was picked 37th overall in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft, later splitting goaltending with Gilles Meloche. In his rookie season, the NHL picked Beaupre to participate in the 1981 All-Star Game, his first of two appearances. As a rookie, Beaupre also helped the North Stars win the Norris Division before they fell in the playoffs to the powerhouse, New York Islanders. Beaupre currently ranks 5th in overall games played with the Stars.
#34 Ron Wilson:
Splitting time between the Minnesota North Stars and HC Davos of the Swiss-A league, Wilson began his professional career with the Dallas Blackhawks and ended it with the North Stars. Having played for the U.S. Olympic team in 1976, Wilson went on to serve as head coach of Team USA in the 1998 and 2010 Winter Olympics.
Best #35-37 in Dallas Stars History
#35 Marty Turco:
Marty Turco holds the records for the most games played, wins, points, shutouts, consecutive games played, and penalty minutes of any goaltender in Stars history. Turco twice won the Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award, and won a silver medal with Team Canada in the 2005 IIHF World Championships. Turco still lives in Dallas and works with the Stars organization, serving as the Director of Corporate Development.
#36 Jussi Jokinen:
Jokinen only spent three seasons with Dallas, but scored consistently in his time with the Stars, maintaining a 14.2 average shooting percentage. His first season with the Stars was one of Jokinen’s better years, scoring 55 points in 82 games. That same season, Jokinen scored two goals in the playoffs, and won a silver medal with Team Finland in the 2006 Winter Olympics.
#37 Brad Lukowich:
The Stars drafted Brad Lukowich in the third round of the 1996 NHL Entry Draft before he won the Stanley Cup with Dallas in his rookie season. After years spent with other teams, Dallas finally re-signed the defenseman to a two-way contract in 2011, ending his career on the Texas Stars roster.
