Monday, June 1, 2009

Dallas Stars bring in Joe Nieuwendyk as GM

By Mark Stepneski of Andrew's Stars Page

DALLAS — The co-GM experiment with the Dallas Stars didn't last long. Less than two years into it, Stars owner Tom Hicks ended it, reassigning Les Jackson and Brett Hull within the organization and bringing in Joe Nieuwendyk as the team's new general manager.

“We are very excited to secure Joe Nieuwendyk as the General Manager,” Hicks said in a statement released by the team Sunday afternoon. “These moves are all about helping this club take the proverbial ‘next step.’ Joe is a leader and has been a winner in everything he has done. He is ready for this opportunity and has a bright future as an NHL General Manager. We want that future to be with the Dallas Stars.

“Brett and Les have done a great job as co-general managers, but after analyzing the situation, it is in the team’s best interest to return them to roles that fit their respective strengths. Brett will assist the club in several business areas and serve as an advisor to me and Jeff Cogen, while Les will go back to what he does best - overseeing our scouting department.”

Nieuwendyk, who played with the Stars from 1995-2002 and was a member of the team's 1999 Stanley Cup championship team, was Special Assistant to the General Manager this past season. Before that he was a special consultant to the GM of the Florida Panthers. He also served as an assistant GM with Team Canada for the 2009 IIHF World Championship.

“I am very excited about returning to the Dallas Stars as General Manager,” said Nieuwendyk. “I am ready for this opportunity. The Dallas Stars have built a winning tradition over the years and I want to help continue that legacy. My family is very excited about returning to Dallas. I have great memories from my playing days with the Stars and look forward to helping this team win as General Manager.”

Nieuwendyk won the Conn Smythe as the playoff MVP in 1999 and he won Stanley Cups with Calgary in 1989 and New Jersey in 2003 as well. He played in 1,257 NHL games, registering 564 goals and 562 assists for 1,126 points.

Jackson and Hull were named as co-general managers in November 2007. The Stars had a 74-58-15 with them at the helm and the team made it to the Western Conference Final in 2008. That got Jackson and Hull three-year contracts through 2010-11. But the Stars, who had injury issues, missed the playoffs this past season and the duo's key offseason acquisition - forward Sean Avery - backfired.

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