Dallas Stars’ Mike Modano returns to ice, expecting key role

Posted Wednesday, Nov. 04, 2009 Comments   (0) Print Share Share Reprints
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By MIKE HEIKA

Special to the Star-Telegram

DALLAS — Mike Modano just isn’t used to this.

Even in the later years of his career, he has been on the ice for most games. In the past two seasons, for example, he has played in 162 of 164 regular season games.

But after missing 13 games with a rib injury this season, Modano already has experienced the third longest stretch in his career without hockey. In 18 full seasons, he has played 70 or more games in 16. This season, his maximum will be 69 if he plays in the rest of the Stars’ games.

"Whenever I’ve had injuries, they always seem to fall right so I don’t miss that many games, but this one has been a tough one," Modano said. "You miss a whole month of the season, and you start to realize how long it is. This has been a long time."

Modano is expected to play an important role. New coach Marc Crawford was using him 18 minutes a game and having him take key faceoffs and play on the top power-play unit. Modano was right back there on Wednesday in his return. He was 3-of-6 on faceoffs in 14:28 of ice time.

"He’s a talented player who can do a lot of things to help this team, so you want to use that," Crawford said. "He thinks the game really well, and that can help in a lot of different ways."

Modano said he has been waiting most of his life to play in the kind of open system that Crawford coaches, and believes he can fit in well and be an important part of the team even at age 39.

"Crow has planned on using me more than [former coach] Dave [Tippett] did, and that actually got me excited," Modano said of camp. "He seems to favor older veteran guys, and if training camp is any indication, I think I’ll get a chance to play. I’m looking forward to it."

Swine flu flap

The Calgary Flames received H1N1 vaccinations before they left on their current road trip, and that caused quite a controversy in Canada, where the medical system dictates that several at-risk groups should have been given priority ahead of professional athletes and their families.

Alberta Health Services said Wednesday that one employee made a mistake in allowing the Flames to receive the vaccinations, and that employee has been fired.

Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk said the Stars have not had team-wide vaccinations and are handling players on a case-by case basis. Marty Turco had flu-like systems and missed two games on the weekend, but he did not test positive for H1N1.

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