Hockey Is Back

It was a scene Hockey fans had been waiting for since 2004. Seeing the Dallas Stars take the ice and start another training camp.

Allen Gardner drove in from Sherman just to see the first day of workouts. “Seventeen months? Too long,” he said. ”College hockey doesn't cut it, ha ha.”

Kenneth Oliver drove a much shorter route from Garland.
“Too long, too long,” he said. What did you do in the meantime? “Went crazy,” he said having regained his sanity.

Not since April 16th, 2004, when Dallas lost to Colorado, had the team been on the ice together. The Zamboni prepared the ice for the Stars.

Heather Bryant from Grapevine was trying to get over Hockey withdrawals.
“Seventeen months without hockey. Yes,” she said.

What did you do? “She was dieing. Crying, she cried a lot,” said Jennifer Horowitz, Bryant’s friend from Trophy Club

It’s been so long, that it seems like starting over.

“It does, I forgot my routine,” said Stars Goaltender Marty Turco. “You get out on the ice. I didn't know what to do. Other than stop the puck. I got that one down. It’s an anxious time for all of us, but for me, its just fun to get out there.

Anxious and eager to get things started again.

“You know what the greatest part about this, the player’s spirits were unbelievable today,” said Dave Tippett, the Stars Head Coach. “You can tell they're anxious to get back, they've missed the game, they love the game, and ah, that makes it great for the coach when you have that much enthusiasm on the ice.”

Rule changes are supposed to emphasize entertainment, skill and competition. Everyone agrees the game will be different.

Stars Center Mike Modano knows there is work to be done. “Unfortunately, we have a little rebuilding to do,” he says, “but I think if they see a new type of game, that's played out there, the fans will be excited about it.”

Bill Guerin, the team’s union representative, is looking for a new start and a new game as well. “There's going to be an adjustment period with all the rule changes,” he says, “You know I think its going to make for great hockey and for great season. I think we're going to look real good with all the rule changes.”

The Stars will be busy for the next few weeks, getting in shape, learning all the new rules, playing eight exhibition games in the next 23-days, and getting ready for the season opener on October 5th. Unlike the last 17-monhts, there will be little free time in the months ahead.

Here is a look at the teams preseason schedule:

SEPTEMBER
Sat. 17 at Colorado 8 p.m. None
Sun. 18 at Edmonton 7 p.m. None
Tue. 20 EDMONTON 7:30 p.m. Ch. 27
Fri. 23 DETROIT 7 p.m. FSNSW
Sun. 25 at Detroit 4 p.m. None
Tue. 27 at St. Louis 7 p.m. FSNSW
Wed. 28 ST. LOUIS 7:30 p.m. Ch. 27

OCTOBER

Day Date Opponent Time TV
Sat. 1 COLORADO 7 p.m. None