In Dallas, the unveiling of a statue dedicated to Mike Modano, a legendary figure of the Dallas Stars, took place during their match against the Los Angeles Kings. Despite a delay caused by rain, the ceremony proceeded at the PNC Plaza outside the American Airlines Center.
This statue captures the essence of Modano’s dynamic presence on the ice, showcasing him in motion across the neutral zone. The reveal was a momentous occasion, eagerly awaited by fans and captured in a tweet by Mike Leslie, marking a significant addition to the Dallas sports landscape.
During the game, Stars enthusiasts inside the American Airlines Center got their initial glimpse of the statue through the jumbotron, as the rain had altered the original plans for an earlier unveiling. Modano’s contributions to the team are unparalleled, holding records for the most points, goals, assists, and games played in the team’s history. Selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 1988 NHL Draft by the then Minnesota North Stars, Modano was instrumental in leading the team to its sole Stanley Cup victory in 1999. Apart from a single season with the Detroit Red Wings, Modano’s illustrious 22-year NHL career was largely spent with the Stars.
The statue of Modano now stands alongside that of Dirk Nowitzki, another Dallas sports icon, both crafted by the renowned artist Omri Amrany. Amrany’s work includes statues of other sports legends like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal. In recognition of his outstanding career, Modano’s No. 9 jersey was retired by the Dallas Stars in March 2014, and he was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame later that year.
Earlier on the same day as the statue’s unveiling, Modano also had the honor of serving as the grand marshal for Dallas’ Saint Patrick’s Day parade in Lower Greenville, further cementing his status as a beloved figure in the city’s sports history.