Former Stars center Mike Modano has made a decision on his hockey playing future. He is retiring as a player in the National Hockey League. Modano made the announcement on his official Facebook Fan Page: http://tinyurl.com/3ugr8lz



Modano will hold a press conference this Friday at 1:00 pm (CT). The press conference will be streamed LIVE here at DallasStars.com.



“Mike Modano was an incredible player and an icon in our sport,” said Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk. “He was invaluable in helping sell the game of hockey in Dallas. Mike is the face of our franchise and I think it is safe to say that no one else will wear No. 9 for the Dallas Stars. We wish him all the best.”



Modano, 41, is the all-time leading scorer among American-born players in NHL history in goals (561) and points (1,374). Playing 22 seasons in the National Hockey League, he was the first overall pick in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft by the Minnesota North Stars.



Modano holds many of the Stars franchise statistical records, including:

Games Played: 1,459 Goals: 557 Assists: 802 Points: 1,359 Overtime goals: 9 Penalty Shots: 4 Goals in a season by a center: 50 (1993-94) Hat tricks in a season: 3 (1998-99) – tied w/4 Power play goals: 156 Shorthanded goals: 29 Even-strength goals: 372 Game-winning goals: 92 Most 20-Goal Seasons: 16 Most 30-Goal Seasons: 9 Power play assists: 331 Shots: 4,194 Highest +/- in a season: +43 (1996-97) Playoff Games: 174 Playoff Goals: 58 Playoff Assists: 87 Playoff Points: 145