Modano Joins Red Wings

By Justin Worsley

After spending his entire career with the Dallas Stars, center Mike Modano has decided to return home.

According to the Associated Press, Modano has signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings, close to his hometown of Livonia, Michigan.

Modano began his 20-year career with the Minnesota North Stars, who drafted him with the first-overall pick of the 1988 draft and was the centerpiece of their organization for years as the team moved from Minnesota to Dallas. Modano is the NHL's all-time leading scorer by an American player.

Dallas, however, was unwilling to re-sign the aging star and Modano, 40, wasn't quite ready to retire so he tested the free agent market, being courted by the Minnesota Wild and San Jose, Modano decided Detroit was his best destination.

Modano is an eight-time All-Star and won the Stanley Cup in 199 with Dallas. In his career, Modano has scored 1,359 points off of 557 goals and 802 assists.

Last season, however, Modano was not his normal, high-scoring self. In 59 games, Modano only managed to scored 30 points, the lowest of his career since the 1994-95 season when he only played in 30 games and scored 29 points. Dallas has not made a playoff appearance since the 2007-08 season.

Along with the new team, Modano will also be forced to change his jersey number. After wearing number nine for his entire career, he much change in Detroit because that number is retired in honor of the legendary Gordie Howe.