We’re three installments into our “Best Dallas Stars by Sweater Number” series. Now it’s time for the fourth installment.
Here are the Best Dallas Stars by Sweater Number: 31-40.
Best Dallas Stars By Sweater Number: 31-40
#31 – Antti Niemi (Goaltender)
Niemi only played two seasons with Dallas, but he is by far the most accomplished player to wear No. 31. He spent 11 years in the NHL, winning a Stanley Cup with Chicago and posting a 242-140-57 record in 464 NHL games.
The goaltender was on the backend of his career when he joined the Stars, yet still ranks among the franchise’s top 10 in goals-against average and save percentage. He is also among the league’s top 100 all-time in wins, saves, goals-against average, save percentage, and shutouts.
#32 – Kari Lehtonen (Goaltender)
Claude Lemieux‘s overall career made an argument here. However, Lehtonen had a greater impact on the franchise. After being traded from the Atlanta Thrashers, he spent nine years with the Stars, winning 216 games. He was a model of consistency as he finished both his stints in Atlanta and Dallas with a .912 save percentage.
Lehtonen is 33rd in NHL history in wins and saves. He is also among the Stars’ best goalies when it comes to shutouts, goals-against average, and games played.
#33 – Alex Goligoski (Defenceman)
Goligoski becomes another player on this list who is still active in the NHL. The defenceman spent six years with Dallas and played in 385 games. Overall, he has played in over 1,000 NHL games with 475 career points and has one Stanley Cup championship (2009 Pittsburgh).
#34 – Denis Gurianov (Defenceman)
Only eight players have ever worn No. 34 for the Stars, so the candidate pool was limited. Gurianov is the most accomplished of the bunch, appearing in 257 games with 113 points for Dallas over six years. He was traded at the 2023 Trade Deadline for forward Evgenii Dadonov.
#35 – Marty Turco (Goaltender)
It would be difficult to pass on the Stars’ all-time leader in wins. Dallas drafted the goaltender in 1994, and he spent nine years with the team before also playing for Chicago and Boston.
Turco was a three-time All-Star and put up some outstanding numbers. He finished his career among Dallas’ goaltending leaders in nearly every imaginable category. He is also ranked highly among the NHL’s best at the position, especially when focusing on the era in which he played.
#36 – Jussi Jokinen (Forward)
Jussi Jokinen spent three years with Dallas and is the best player to wear 36. He played 215 games and tallied 131 points with the Stars from 2005 to 2008 and went on to appear in 951 NHL games. He was a massive producer offensively, but he established himself with a long career.
Mats Zuccarello is really the only other notable player to wear 36 in Dallas, and he was injured two games into his tenure.
#37 – Mark Parrish (Forward)
This was a difficult choice because no one wearing No.37 stood out during their time with the Minnesota/Dallas franchise. However, Parrish was a successful NHL player, appearing in 722 games over 12 years with seven teams.
He only played 44 games with Dallas, but his overall body of work is better than the other candidates. Thus, he is the Best Dallas Star by Sweater Number 37.
#38 – Vernon Fiddler (Forward)
Fiddler played five of his 14 NHL seasons with the Stars. During that time, he managed 112 points in 366 games — the most he produced during any season in his career. Fiddler went on to play in 877 NHL games as a bottom-six forward with 261 points.
#39 – Niko Kapanen (Forward)
Not many standouts have worn 39 in Dallas. Kapanen spent the first four years of his brief career with the Stars. He appeared in 239 games with just 76 points. However, he finished sixth for the Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) in 2002-03 and was also nominated for the Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward) that same season.
#40 – Ryan Garbutt (Forward)
Garbutt played 305 NHL games and spent four years with Dallas. While with the Stars, he appeared in 198 contests and had 70 points, the best stint of his career. He was eventually part of the trade with Chicago that landed Patrick Sharp and Stephen Johns in Dallas.
Main photo by: Jerome Miron – USA Today Sports
