Jim Nill Interview, Part Three: On Dallas As A Growing Hockey Market For Surging Stars

Jim Nill's exclusive interview with THN.com continues, with the third part of the six-part series. In this file, the Dallas Stars GM discusses the hugely-competitive Dallas market, and what it means to be competitive with the city's other successful pro sports franchises.

In June, Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill won the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award for the second consecutive season. Nill, who has served as Dallas' GM since 2013, took time with THN.com in late July to discuss the state of the Stars, changes he's made to the roster, and much more. THN.com published Part One of a six-part interview series with Nill last week, and Part Two was published this weekend. Today, we're posting Part Three:

The Hockey News: I’m curious about your thoughts on the Dallas market and sports in Texas. It’s such a good time for sports in Texas. Do you sense you’re making inroads as a team, as a sport? Do you think the game has grown there?

Jim Nill: Yeah, we think the game’s really grown. First of all, for us, as an NHL team, we were sold out last year the whole season. We had a successful year. Crowds were good, response was good. And then as far as growing the game down in Texas, we now have seven arenas down there for youth hockey, girls’, boys’, mens’, womens’ (hockey). It’s booming down there. 

And they’re building more rinks; there are two more slated to be built. So hockey is booming down there, and Dallas is a great sports town. The Cowboys are always a strong team, the Mavericks just went to the (NBA) final much just like us, and the Rangers just won a World Series a year ago. So it’s a great time for sports in Dallas, and we’re part of that, and that’s why we want to be successful – we want to be part of that excitement that’s in the city right now.

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