Today, we continue our “Best Dallas Stars by Sweater Number” series with part two. Here are the franchise’s best players 11 through 20.
Best Dallas Stars by Sweater Number: 11-20
#11- J.P. Parise (Forward)
The father of current NHL forward Zach Parise played 588 games across nine seasons with the Minnesota North Stars, accumulating 396 points. All told, he was a two-time NHL All-Star and appeared in 890 NHL games in 14 seasons.
#12 – Keith Acton (Forward)
Acton had the most productive seasons of his career during a five-year stretch with the North Stars in the 1980s. The forward played 1,023 NHL games and put up 584 points in his career, nearly half of which came with Minnesota. He was also nominated for the Selke Trophy, given to the league’s best defensive forward, four times throughout his career.
#13 – Bill Guerin (Forward)
Guerin edges out Ray Whitney for this spot due to his impact on the ice. Guerin played three seasons with Dallas, as a potential fourth campaign was marred by the 2004 lockout. Still, Guerin managed to put up 159 points in 216 games, while Whitney collected just 61 points in a little over a season with the club.
#14 –Jamie Benn (Forward)
There is no more clear choice for the Dallas Stars player by jersey number when it comes to No.14 than Jamie Benn. Benn has spent his entire 15-year career in Dallas and has served as the team captain since 2013. He is among the franchise’s top-three in goals, assists, points, and games played. Moreover, he is trailing just Mike Modano and Neal Broten in most categories.
Benn could become just the second Dallas Star to amass 1,000 career points if he continues to play at a high level for the team over the next couple of years. Granted, he does have some work to do.
#15 – Jamie Langenbrunner (Forward)
Langenbrunner spent the first eight years of his career with the Stars and was a huge contributor to the 1999 Stanley Cup Championship run. He posted 17 points (10 goals and seven assists) in 23 games as Dallas won a championship in thrilling fashion. Langenbrunner won a second Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2003 and played in over 1,100 NHL games through 14 seasons.
#16 – Joe Pavelski (Forward)
Yes, Hall of Famer Brett Hull also wore No.16 for the Stars, but his most memorable moments came wearing another number. As such, Pavelski rises to the top of the list of Stars players to wear No. 16.
Pavelski spent the final five seasons of his career with the Stars, chasing an elusive Stanley Cup. His play on the ice remained stellar for the first few seasons, and his leadership proved instrumental in developing the team’s young core into impact players. The veteran retired earlier this month as one of the most accomplished American skaters in league history.
#17 – Tim Young (Forward)
Young produced 494 points in 565 games with the North Stars. He was a 1977 All-Star who played in the NHL for ten years and has the ninth-most assists in franchise history.
#18 – Bobby Smith (Forward)
Smith spent more than half his career with the North Stars and still holds the franchise’s single-season record for points with 114. He won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 1979 and had 554 points in 572 games for Minnesota. Furthermore, Smith finished his career with 1,036 points and a single Stanley Cup championship as a member of the 1986 Montreal Canadiens. He remains among the Stars’ leaders in assists, points, and power play goals.
#19 – Chuck Arnason (Forward)
The number 19 presents a challenge. Only two players have worn it for the Stars, and neither accomplished much on the ice for the franchise. The team retired the number in honour of Bill Masterton, who died from injuries sustained during a game in 1968. Arnason played just one game for the team but is the best Stars player to wear 19 because of his full-career achievements.
#20 – Ed Belfour (Goaltender)
The number 20 has belonged to two Hall of Famers for the Stars: Belfour and forward Dino Ciccarelli. Both deserve recognition, but it’s hard to ignore the only Stanley Cup-winning goaltender in franchise history. Belfour spent five seasons with Dallas, winning 160 games and putting up an impressively low 2.19 goals-against average. He played 17 NHL seasons and has the fourth-most career wins in league history.
Main photo credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
