Ten Years From Now
April 11 marks the 10-year anniversary of me walking away from the Dallas Stars. Time to reflect on what's happened since and look ahead to what might be in store...
About 10:00 pm or so, on April 11, 2015, in the broadcast position on the American Airlines Center’s Platinum level, I stood at my spot, leaned over, and wrote “Le Fin” (the end) on the last page in my scorebook, right below where I had just scrawled “Art Ross Trophy.”
Jamie Benn’s 4th point that night, in the game’s dying seconds, secured the NHL’s scoring title for the 2014-15 season. It gave Game 82 some real drama. The Stars missed the playoffs that season. I got to call a humdinger for my last one.
After I closed the scorebook, and packed all my broadcast things into my backpack, I looked around the almost empty building for what I knew would be the last time as a Dallas Stars employee. I made the familiar exit to the escalators, then down the stairs and around to the loading dock, got in my car, and drove home with my daughter. Part of me staying that year was because she had worked with our production group for 3 years and this would be her last year too. I wanted to be there.
I had 4 years remaining on a 5-year contract I signed the year before, but the negotiations were so needlessly contentious, and the bad feelings I developed were so pervasive, that I knew I wasn’t long for the Dallas Stars. I signed the 5 year-deal so I could negotiate a buyout.
It should have been a very easy extension. I wanted to make it a very easy extension. It wasn’t. Read into that what you want.
A month or so before my final season was over, I initiated the buyout conversation with someone else in the office, and we made progress during the season’s final weeks.
Long story short - a few days after the season ended, they cleared the office out, and had me come in and sign the separation agreement in an empty office with just me and the team’s attorney. That’s how my 25 years with the franchise ended.
For the record - It’s extremely unlikely I would be there today in any case, because I was already planning the next chapters in my life, but it shouldn’t have ended like it did. What a pity.
I miss the players. I love the players. As I got older, I enjoyed the role of being an ear for a lot of the young guys. Tyler Seguin got me on Tinder way back then. HA! They gave me the energy of youth, and I gave them the free advice they never asked for or needed. It was a fine arrangement.
I miss the office staff. So often over the years I’d go in during the off season and make cold calls with the salespeople. I loved it when I helped close season ticket deals.
I hired and helped hire so many including Celena Rae, Jason Walsh, Daryl Reaugh, and … Josh Bogerrod, the guy who’s in the chair now.
I was in the small group that started the Ice Girls, and I’m very proud of that, and what they continue to do to represent the organization. I was on the Victory Green uniform redesign committee, and we got that one so right. I’m proud of these, and many other legacy contributions.
I miss helping young people get in and move up. I miss having office employees over at my house for food and hockey or football games. Marty Turco’s rookie season I had him and all the young players to the house. I routinely had staff from all areas come over. If my coworkers wanted me to talk broadcasting with someone, a relative or a friend, I was down. I’ve had dozens of friend and family at practice or in the Stars booth with me.
I miss going to lunch after practice with Stretch and Mark Janko and the PR crews. I miss answering questions from the new kids in the office. I miss hanging out with so many from those days. Man - I helped more than one buy their first car or their first house.
And I miss seeing the fans. Honest - y’all were so good to me. And still are. Even in the restroom when I’d be taking a leak and guys would try and high five me… good times.
And yeah - I miss calling games - not ALL of em - but the big ones. Playoff games, milestone or big event games - and I miss the luncheons and the charity events.
All this is true and remains true. I wish it had ended differently but that one isn’t on me.
And… I wouldn’t trade the last 10 years for anything. What a crazy ride.
Let me tell you about it.
