Professional Hockey

Our British Texan Discovers the Dallas Stars and Falls Madly in Love with Weird-Ass Hockey

Two years ago, when I arrived in the States from the UK, I had a very vague idea of what ice hockey was. I was, though, sure that it was one of the most far-fetched sports out there. While most sports are played on the sort of easily accessible field we can all find and involve a ball, hockey is pla ... More >>

Jamie Benn: Cornerstone of a Stars' Revolution

In this week's Dallas Observer we profile 20 of the metro area's most interesting characters, with new portraits of each from local photographer Can Turk. See the entire Dallas Observer People Issue here. In Game 4 of this year's short but impressive playoff run, the Dallas Stars were down 2-0 in t ... More >>

The Hold Steady Bring a "Real Good Time" to the Granada

The Hold Steady With Oil Boom Granada Theater, Dallas Wednesday, April 30, 2014 As Craig Finn and his four bandmates in the Hold Steady walked out on the stage to the sounds of Lou Reed's "Real Good Time Together" Wednesday night, there was a change that rippled through the Granada. Finn, dressed i ... More >>

Watch Dallas Make Its Splash

Joel Salazar's Too Fresh Productions Brings Back the Battle Tonight

Joel Salazar is well-known in Dallas hip-hop, from his early days MCing at the now-closed Royal Rack on Lower Greenville to his current role as co-producer of We From Dallas, the upcoming documentary about the history of Dallas hip-hop. And the founder of the newly formed Too Fresh Productions (he' ... More >>

Here Are the Dallas Stars' New Uniforms

The anticipation building in advance of the official unveiling of the Dallas Stars' new look was dulled somewhat when the logo was accidentally (or maybe on purpose) leaked on the team's smartphone app. The club did a better job with the updated jerseys, keeping those updated jerseys under wraps unt ... More >>

The Stars' New Logo Seems to Have Leaked

Many in Dallas have no doubt been eagerly awaiting the June 4 unveiling of the Dallas Stars' new logos and uniforms. Probably not as many as are eager to glimpse Buster the Armpit Lion on the Mavs' new duds, but logo changes always generate a bit of buzz. It looks like Stars fans won't have to wait ... More >>

The Stars Showed an Empty Seat and Called it "Manti T'eo's Girlfiend" (Photo)

The above photo was snapped at last night's Dallas Stars game by Twitter user @EdCahill before making its way to Deadspin. Together with the Stars' recent handling of an exceedingly dickish Cowboys' Tweet, we're getting the impression the AAC's hockey residents don't give all that many shits. Kudos ... More >>

The Cowboys and Stars Had a Very Brief Twitter Feud, Then They Made Up

Yesterday morning whoever handles the Dallas Cowboys official Twitter feed (probably Jerry Jones) let their feelings be known about the return of NHL hockey. They quickly deleted the Tweet, but not before it was captured by @D_LEED Whoops. This did not please the Stars, who responded in kind.

Rustle Up Some Used Stuff

Dropkick Murphys - House of Blues - 2/27/12

Dropkick Murphys House of Blues Monday, February 27 A Dropkick Murphys show isn't one to hold surprises, nor is it one to attend when you're just looking for a decent night of music. Don't get me wrong, the beloved Celtic punk band's performance last night at House of Blues was spot-on in just abou ... More >>

The Ten Best Things To Do This Weekend, February 23 to 26

Is that numbing pain in your shoulder diminishing? It can only mean one thing: The weekend is coming! Unwind from your stressball career with runway shows, stand-up comedy and drag queen brunch. It's all happening this weekend, kids. Here's a little guide to cool stuff happening around town. Share i ... More >>

It's Duck Season

Dallas PD's New Year's Eve, By the Numbers

WFAA​The Dallas Police Department sends word this morning: It guesstimates 30,000 turned out for last night's Big D NYE in Victory Plaza, otherwise known as the Dallas Stars' post-game party that filled a few hours of Channel 8 airtime in between all that Dick Clarking. And while DWI numbers aren' ... More >>

Nine Bucks? Lites and Gaglardi Drop Dallas Stars Ticket Prices to Reunion Arena Levels.

Dallas StarsTom Gaglardi, at center, is new to town. He's trying to make a good impression. Jim Lites, at right, is helping him do that.​Dallas Stars President Jim Lites says: No, this was not his idea. He wants to be clear about that. Interim team president Tony Tavares was already working on a p ... More >>

At Long Last, It's Official: Dallas Stars Have New Owner (Gaglardi) And Old President (Lites)

Welcome back, Jim Lites.​As expected Tom Gaglardi was awarded ownership of the Dallas Stars in a Delaware bankruptcy court this morning; and, as expected, the Canadian has brought back the great Jim Lites, the one-time team president and CEO moved in '07 to run Hicks Sports Marketing Group, poor f ... More >>

Mike Modano's Tear-Stained Farewell

Photos by Mike Mezeul​Mike Modano, the highest-scoring American-born player in the history of the National Hockey League and the face of the Dallas Stars even after he signed to Detroit for a final season, stifled a sob as he bade farewell to those who shaped his legendary career, which included 1 ... More >>

Sure Mike Modano Has a Spot on Dallas' Mount Sportsmore. Well, Doesn't He?

Mike Modano is on Facebook. And out of hockey. The legendary Dallas Star used social media  to announce his retirement from the NHL yesterday, ending a 21-year career as one of the sport's all-time greatest skaters and its most prolific American-born scorer. Feels like we've delivered th ... More >>

Mike Modano to Retire a Dallas Star As Club Signs Him to a One-Day Farewell Contract

Courtesy the Dallas StarsMike Modano and Willa Ford upon No. 9's departure from Dallas last year​Yesterday, upon the occasion of Mike Modano's retirement announcement, several Friends of Unfair Park asked if the Dallas Stars would sign him to a short-lived contract so the single-season Detroit Red ... More >>

The Luck of the Puck

This Morning's Reading Assignment: The Dallas Stars Bankruptcy Court Filings

​A Friend of Unfair Park asks this morning if we've gotten our hands on the Dallas Stars bankruptcy docs, which were filed, as expected, in a Delaware court at the end of the day yesterday. Why, as a matter of fact: On the other side you'll find a Tom Wolfe novel's worth of legalese, including, fo ... More >>

Chuck Greenberg Wants to Own Another Metroplex Sports Team: Your Dallas Stars

​Just talked to a National Hockey League source who confirmed what the News reported last week: that former Texas Rangers' CEO Chuck Greenberg is seriously interested in buying your Dallas Stars. The Stars have been for sale since Tom Hicks' sports empire went kaput, and for a long time it ... More >>

Ed-die's Bet-ter ... Clap-Clap-CLAPCLAPCLAP!

We've seen the Rangers in the World Series and the Mavs win the NBA Finals, and on Tuesday I was reminded just how great a Stanley Cup run can be when former Stars' goalie Ed Belfour and current GM Joe Nieuwendyk were elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame. They'll officially be in ... More >>

Not-So-Quiet Riots: The Ten Worst Riots In Music Event History

Dallas Mavericks fans were notably well-behaved during yeterday's NBA Championship victory parade through downtown. Despite the fact that 200,000 or so people packed themselves in like sardines along the sidewalks of the route -- and in the sweltering heat, no less -- there were only five arrests. B ... More >>

The Mavericks Finally Fought Back, and They Have the Title to Prove It

Mark Cuban, Dirk Nowitzki and the Mavs shed labels and the Miami Heat on the way to their first NBA championship.

For Decades, DJ Merritt and DJ Jeff K Have Snuck Local Electronic Music Onto The Edge

Welcome to Local Music 'Mericans , where we meet some of the people behind the local music scene -- those who aren't necessarily members of local bands, but more the people who make the scene move.DJ Jeff K and the Old 97's at a Dallas Stars game.​In 2011, both DJ Merritt and DJ Jeff K remain s ... More >>

2011 NBA FINALS GAME 3 -- Heat 88, Mavericks 86: My Top 10 Observer-Ations

​10. I absolutely love ABC's The Finals open with snippets of great plays and legendary players from the past. How surreal would it be to a year from now see Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd in that production? 9. Down 45-31, Dallas came roaring back again and almost pulled off another miracle comebac ... More >>

Chef Erron Star Depew: It's OK When She Slices at TopGolf

Erron Star Depew, up to par in TopGolf's kitchen.​Erron Star Depew is the chef at the new TopGolf location in Allen. Yes, you heard me right. Chef. TopGolf. Allen. Just because folks are swinging clubs doesn't mean they don't want to eat well too. At least that's what Depew figured when she cr ... More >>

The Greatest Individual Playoff Performance in the History of Dallas-Fort Worth Sports. Is Dirk's Dominant?

​The Mavs can play better than they did in Game 1 of the NBA's Western Conference Finals. For the first time in the playoffs they allowed 100 points, 112 to be exact. The Thunder grabbed 11 offensive rebounds and, according to Mavs' coach Rick Carlisle, corralled 13 of the game's 20 loose bal ... More >>

Falling Stars: Dallas Earns Its Early Vacation

​So who crumbled worse Sunday: Rory McIlroy at Augusta or your Dallas Stars in Minnesota? Hours after McIlroy ruined a four-shot lead with an 80 at The Masters, the hockey team fanned on a tap-in and missed the NHL Playoffs. After the Chicago Blackhawks lost at home to Detroit earlier in the d ... More >>

Whitt's End: 4.8.11

​Whether you've reached the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End: *So Nuggets coach George Karl wants some of the Mavs, huh? "If we had to pick and choose, we would probably say 55 percent Dallas and 45 percent Oklahoma City," he says of his preferred ... More >>

The Dallas Stars -- and the Refs -- May Have Saved Their Season Last Night

​Nauseated by the Mavs last night, I turned on the Dallas Stars. And what did I see? A team maybe saving its season. The Stars have had their share of bad-luck bounces lately. But last night in Anaheim they saved a gasp of their season with two controversial calls that disallowed goals by t ... More >>

Someone Actually Wants to Buy the Dallas Stars. And Keep Them Here.

​The fear with the Dallas Stars is this: Tom Hicks would so bury the team that no one would buy them and eventually they'd leave Dallas. It appears, knock on ice-covered wood, that a savior has arisen. Goes by the name of Doug Miller. Everyone from Mark Cuban to Wayne Gretzky to Mike Modano h ... More >>

It's Official: We're Moving The Dallas Observer Music Awards Out of Summer and Into October

Patrick MichelsMike Modano and Willa Ford at the 2009 Dallas Observer Music Awards.​Last year's Dallas Observer Music Awards, if you don't mind us saying, were pretty amazing. The winners were pretty great, the nominations on point, the ceremony a great time and, oh, the showcase.Yep, last year's ... More >>

Attention incoming sports fans: If you're going to embrace our city during Super Bowl week, the first step is recognizing our Super Heroes.

The Dallas Stars are struggling to be noticed- despite a winning record.

Local Music 'Mericans: Michelle Pelissero Turned Part-Time Gigs and Internships Into a Full-Time Position with Kirtland Records

Welcome to Local Music'Mericans, where we'll be meeting some people behind the local music scene who aren't musicians, but more behind-the-scenes folk.Michelle Pelissero​Michelle Pelissero can be seen working at some of the luckiest of spots -- like rinkside at a Dallas Stars game or dead-center i ... More >>

Cowboys, Mavs, Rangers, Stars All Searching for Help in 2011

​Texas Rangers - Jim Thome. The left-handed slugging free agent would, I assume, join Michael Young for a righty-lefty platoon designated hitter. I know Thome is a sexy name with some pop left in his bat, just not real sure where he fits in. Dallas Mavericks - Dirk Nowitzki. The signing ... More >>

Hungry on DART's Green Line? Here's a Big Honkin' List That Might Help

​It took four years and $1.8 million to complete the longest light-rail construction project in U.S. history -- says DART -- but a little more than one month since DART's Green Line opened, it's been for all intents and purposes a success. While the full line was officially opened on December ... More >>

How About a Wooly Cap-Trick?

Ten Items Worth a Look-See: Mavs, Stars, Cowboys, Rangers and Fox News Pundit Says Michael Vick "Should Have Been Executed"

The fans gave him a break, and even President Obama applauded Vick's return to the NFL. Tucker Carlson of Fox News? Not so much.​10. Mark Teixeira says teammate Andy Pettitte's "probably leaning toward retirement," which is good news for the Texas Rangers and everyone else aiming to win the AL pen ... More >>

After 14 Seasons, All With the Dallas Stars, Jere Lehtinen (Finally) Skates Off Into Retirement

When we spoke to Mike Modano about his will-he-won't-he-retirement-that-wasn't in April, he had this to say about a certain teammate: "Lehtinen was a real treat to play with, obviously, and what he brought. He played hard and sacrificed his body, and I don't know how much more he has left."Even the ... More >>

FC Dallas is the latest proof that the metroplex can host everything without winning anything.

Getting Over the Blues

Dallas' Other Teams are Playing Too. Who Knew?

For the last month we've all been - gladly, of course - buried up to here in the Texas Rangers. Don't look now, but the other sports in our city didn't shut down. Let's play some catch up, shall we? FC DALLAS - In the Major League Soccer's Western Conference semifinals, they have a 2-1 aggregate le ... More >>

Whitt's End: 10.22.10

​Whether you're at the end of your rope or merely the end of your week, welcome to Whitt's End:*Roger Staubach to Tony Hill to beat the Redskins in '79. Alvin Harper running free against the 49ers to clinch the NFC Championship Game in '92. Dirk Nowitzki's long 3-pointer to secure Game 2 of ... More >>

Do-or-Die in Dallas: How Our Teams Fare in Elimination Games

​To the Texas Rangers, tonight's do-or-die game is unprecedented, uncharted territory. But as metroplex sports fans, we're accustomed to these elimination scenarios. And, you know what? We're pretty damn good at them. While the Rangers take their pathetic 3-11 playoff pedigree into toni ... More >>

We Can Do It Without Him

Now, About the Sale of those Dallas Stars

​After 15 months of delays, disputes and despair, the Texas Rangers emerged from bankruptcy. The goal now is to keep the Dallas Stars from going down the same pot-holed path. While he further dissolves his once-mighty sports empire by selling Liverpool Football Club in England, Tom Hicks is a ... More >>

Mike Modano to Return to the American Airlines Center in October. As a Detroit Red Wing.

Patrick MichelsRegardless, Mike Modano and the missus can present at our Music Awards any time.​On June 22, the Dallas Stars released the 2010-'11 schedule. Among the highlights, per the release: "Oct. 14 vs. Detroit - The home opener vs. the hated Red Wings. It doesn't get any better than this." ... More >>