Last night I got to meet the man who will be known as the highest-scoring US-born player for many years. Much like Martin Brodeur, Mike Modano now holds or has unified two records held by two great individuals: Goals were Joey Mullen (502); Assists & Points were Phil Housley (894 & 1232 respectively).
Sure I’m a Roenick fan but am an American so I do cheer on countrymen in sports, even the goofy Williams sisters in tennis (they’re Jehovah’s Witnesses). Mike was a phenomenal scorer yet more importantly, consistent. John LeClair had three 50-goal seasons, then back trouble ended his career early plus his final years in Pittsburgh were awful. Mike had nine seasons with 30 or more which is no small feat.
Anyway, he was in the Austin area to be saluted by our kick-ass team as he goes through a little tour to retire his number permanently in Dallas. Plus to be thanked for his efforts to strengthen hockey’s popularity in Texas. Laugh all you want my fellow Yankees. Several of the high schools around here have teams. UT and Texas A&M will never get beyond club sadly, basketball and the state religion (aka football) are too important to divert money toward an NCAA Division I effort.
During my brief face time, I asked him if he was ever congratulated by Mullen and Housley. Mike said, yes, they were present at the games when he broke their records. Pretty cool to be congratulated by your heroes!
I think Mike’s accomplishments will go unbeaten during the remainder of my lifetime. Currently, America hasn’t produced any new offensive wizards in the NHL lately. All the players who are close to achieving half of Mike’s numbers are nearing retirement.
