The Dallas Stars relocated to Texas in 1993 -- and one year later, THN profiled an emerging force in Dallas: star center Mike Modano.

Thirty years ago, NHL hockey was still in its infancy in Dallas. The Stars had relocated to Dallas in 1993, and as the team improved, one player set himself apart from the rest: center Mike Modano. 

Here is veteran writer Michael Ulmer's Dec. 23, 1994 story (Volume 48, Issue 15) profiling Modano.

Modano Packing Superstar Appeal

By Michael Ulmer

Mike Modano’s teeth are so white and so straight, someone will want them for the ivory.

You think of those teeth when you ask the Dallas Stars’ 24-year-old center if he would rather be on the cover of GQ or The Hockey News. He’s about to lie right through them.

“I would say The Hockey News.”

The truth is, Modano is being diplomatic. The cover of GQ would be a standard as tenable as a 50-goal season, an honor he would openly covet if he didn’t speak-as well as look-like the boy next door.

Since he darted into the NHL four seasons ago, Modano has been a fascinating study. So tall, so fast, so talented, impossible to ignore and about as hard to figure out.

Every skill is right on the tape. Quick first step, long, graceful strides. Snap shot, slapshot, every tool in the kit.

“Mike is a player who can beat any goalie in the league from 40 or 45 feet,” said Stars’ coach-general manager Bob Gainey.

Modano hasn’t always done well, but has looked good doing it. After four seasons in the 30-goal range, he broke free for 50 last season.

But while Chicago Blackhawks’ star Jeremy Roenick declares anything but status as the game’s best player unsatisfactory, Modano speaks almost hopefully of a place among the game’s elite. Ask him if he is among the best players in the NHL and he says he is getting closer. Nothing will be proven until he posts big seasons back-to-back.

“I think every player’s aspiration in every sport is to be the best that they can be,” Modano said. “But I think the important thing is how you are remembered when you leave the game. Is it for all the DWIs (driving while impaired) or all the goals you’ve scored?”

Last year’s breakthrough was the result of a burgeoning desire to pay the price to score from four feet as well as 45, but Modano will never be a warhorse. He is pure thoroughbred, right down to the threads, imported, European and custom-made.

Modano spends at least $10,000 a year on clothes, but aside from the BMW, the $2 million a year he will get when play resumes, good looks and reigning status as one of the most eligible bachelors in a sports-mad city, his life is pretty well the same as that of everybody else.

And while the NHL owners impose their lockout, Modano is busy exploring other options. He has retained a marketing firm to oversee his business interests and developed a line of casual wear, 9 Inc. (Modano wears No. 9) that is being marketed in Dallas and Minnesota.

A local magazine is profiling him, complete with scores of photos. A Dallas radio station even auctioned off a pair of his boxer shorts in a charity fundraiser. There can be no more sure sign of a hockey player’s appeal than when someone pays $250 for his underwear.

The combination of riveting on-ice skills, wrapped in a youthful, personable package, is a boon for Modano, the Stars and perhaps by extension the league.

“From a fan point of view, he’s perfect,” said Audrey Wager, the co-owner of the firm handling Modano’s marketing. “He works very hard, he doesn’t give up, he’s good looking and he has a good personality.”

Those points aren’t lost on the Stars. One of the club’s television spots played on Modano’s choirboy looks interspersed with jarring action footage. But even without the lockout, the club was planning on moving slowly to exploit Modano’s appeal.

“Since this is only our second season here, we’re working on selling hockey, the game of hockey, the hardhitting nature of sport,” said vice-president of marketing Bill Strong. “But to the extent that we have a heartthrob player who appeals to the 14-, 15-and 16-year-olds, Michael would be it. He looks a little like Tom Cruise, only taller and blonder.”

Modano has scuttled talks aimed at finding a place to play until the season is officially cancelled. Minnesota, home of the International League’s Moose, and Italy, were the front-runners.

Instead of making travel plans, he is hoping that if and when the season starts, love will again be in bloom in Dallas.

“That’s the good thing about a new market, you tease them a little bit and show them what it’s all about.” he said. “There’s frustration that we didn’t start this year, but deep down I think they’re still ready to start up when we do.”