Happy Birthday Eddie Belfour

by Brandon Worley on Apr 21, 2009 1:38 PM CDT in Dallas Stars News

Ah, the great Eddie the Eagle.

After the Dallas Stars fell to the Edmonton Oilers in the 1997 playoffs, veteran netminder Andy Moog decided to retire. In an effort to put the team over the edge and back into position to contend at the highest level the Stars went out and signed the top goalie free agent on the market, Eddie Belfour.

Belfour came with some baggage, however. It was generally thought he was a hothead goaltender who just couldn't cut it in the postseason, and was a bad teammate in the locker room. Undrafted, he was signed by the Chicago Blackhawks and quickly became one of the top goalies in franchise history. However he constantly had issues with his backups, notably Dominik Hasak and Jeff Hackett and was eventually traded to the San Jose Sharks in 1997. Despite winning the Vezina and Jennings trophies twice with the Chicago Blackhhawks, teams were hesitant to take the chance on what they thought was a risky player.

Belfour lived up to every bit of his reputation in Dallas, but also had the best years of his career with the Stars. After posting a 1.88 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage in 1997-1998, he helped lead the Stars to the Western Conference Finals before losing to Detroit. The next season, he earned the Jennings trophy once again and then led the Stars to a Stanley Cup Championship in 1999.

Eddie endeared himself to Stars fans with his fiery attitude that perfectly complimented his big saves. He was always the rock in net behind a strong team, and provided some color on a Dallas Stars team that was just a bit bland overall (besides Brett Hull). I can still hear the chants inside Reunion: "ED-DIE! ED-DIE!"

While the Stars enjoyed some of their best season with Belfour in net, there was always the "other" things that seemed to mess with the overall good feeling. A couple of arrests, some run-ins with the media and just an odd personality could have marred what otherwise would have been a perfect time with the Stars.

Belfour left the Stars as a free agent in 2002, and enjoyed several more years in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers. He played briefly in Sweden before officially retiring last year.

Belfour finished with 484 wins (third all-time), 76 shutouts, a 2.50 GAA and a .906 save percentage.

Happy 44th Birthday.

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Comments

Moog to Belfour

Been a Stars fan since 1978 and the worst moment of all time was watching Marchant in 1997 burn Grant Ledyard in game 7 OT then beat Moog on the glove side. That was worse than losing to the Isles and the Pens in the cup. Nothing against Moog, but Belfour’s arrival was exciting stuff. And I don’t care about the arrests, all that jazz, he can land on death row and I’ll still have a place for the dude for having backstopped us to a Cup. That he did it against Fuhr, Joseph, Roy and Hasek says volumes about his game.

by Wolfgangus on Apr 21, 2009 3:48 PM CDT reply actions

Happy Birthday Eddie!!!!

Eddie we miss you!!!! I would take Eddie and his temper any day. He was a winner. He knew how to carry the team when they needed to be carried and how to win when the team didn’t neccesarily deserve to win. Look at our team since. They have tried to change things up but the one constant has been Marty “golden boy” Turco who will never get us there. He doesn’t have that winning mentality. I’d take Eddie again any day!!!! Bring on the Eagle!!! Happy birthday Eddie. Can you still hear us chanting? Ed-die ed-die ed-die….

by Bel4fan on Apr 21, 2009 4:53 PM CDT reply actions

Best Ad Ever

First, Brandon, bud, you seriously need an editor.

Second, the best commercial ever was after the Stars won the Cup. Eddie took a ride on a tilt-a-whirl with the cup and was giggling the whole time. Makes me laugh every time I think about it.

Dyslexics of the world, UNTIE!

by Mikestars65 on Apr 22, 2009 7:21 AM CDT reply actions