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

Courtesy the Dallas Stars

Mike 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 Wing could exit the National Hockey League with the team that first signed him. When I asked Stars spokesman Rob Scichili yesterday if that would be the case, he was a little cagey: "We're simply helping him out with the press conference," he wrote back. This morning, though, Scichili sent the good word: The team will indeed sign him to a one-day NHL contract in advance of tomorrow's 1 p.m. press conference, which will stream live on the team's website. Per the announcement:

Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk announced today that the NHL club will sign center Mike Modano to an official NHL contract, giving him the opportunity to officially retire as a Dallas Star. Modano will sign the contract at Friday's press conference. Afterwards, he will send in his retirement paperwork to the National Hockey League.

The amount listed on the contract will be $999,999 in honor of his No. 9.

"This is a special day for all of us," said Nieuwendyk. "Mike Modano will always be the face of this franchise. He means so much to our organization and all of our fans. We wanted to give him the opportunity to retire as a Dallas Star. Mike has given his heart and soul to this game for over 30 years. On behalf of the entire organization and the National Hockey League, we would like to thank him for his dedication."