DALLAS — Mike Modano walked away from the NHL on Friday with tears, signing an honorary one-day contract so he could retire after 21 seasons as a member of the Dallas Stars.
The 41-year-old native of Livonia, Mich., broke down in tears several times during his final news conference in Dallas. He retires as the NHL’s all-time leading scorer among American-born players in goals (561) and points (1,374).
Modano was the first overall pick of the 1988 draft by the Minnesota North Stars, and the flashy center was the face of the franchise when the team moved to Dallas in 1993. Modano helped the team win its only Stanley Cup in 1999.
He played last season for the Detroit Red Wings, but wanted to retire as a Star in his adopted hometown.
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