Stu Barnes Announces Retirement, Joins Stars Staff

[VodkaFish]

FRISCO, Tex. – The Dallas Stars announced today that center Stu Barnes has announced his retirement from the National Hockey League after a 16-year career, and has signed a two-year contract to join the Stars’ coaching staff as an assistant coach. In addition, the club announced two-year contract extensions for Associate Coach Rick Wilson and Assistant Coach Mark Lamb, whose contracts were set to expire after the 2008-09 season and will now reach through 2010-11.

“We congratulate Stu on an outstanding playing career and we are very excited that he will now join our coaching staff,” said Co-General Manager Les Jackson. “Stu was a consummate professional on and off the ice throughout his career, and was the type of player who always exhibited the qualities you would associate with a future coach. Stu will be an excellent addition to our staff, which we feel is among the best in the league. Rick (Wilson) has played a major role in building the Stars franchise into the perennial contender that it is today. We believe Mark Lamb is one of the top young assistants in the game and a major asset to our organization.”

“I was truly fortunate to play as long as I did, and I knew this was the time for me to wrap up my playing days,” said Barnes. “A great opportunity to become an assistant coach was presented to me by the Stars, and I look forward to making that transition and learning a new part of the game.”

Barnes, 37, collected 597 career NHL points (261 goals, 336 assists) in 1,136 NHL games with the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres and Dallas Stars. He also skated in 116 career Stanley Cup Playoff games over 12 postseasons, notching 30 goals and 32 assists for 62 points and reaching the Cup Final twice (Buffalo, 1999; Florida, 1996).

The 5-11, 182-pound center was acquired via trade by Dallas on March 10, 2003, in exchange for Mike Ryan and a second-round draft pick, and in 329 total games with the Stars, recorded 120 points (53 goals and 67 assists). He added 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 38 Stanley Cup Playoff games with Dallas.

The native of Spruce Grove, Alta., was originally selected by Winnipeg in the first round (No. 4 overall) of the 1989 Entry Draft. He had a stellar career with the Tri-City Americans in the Western Hockey League, and currently co-owns that club with his junior teammate, goaltender Olaf Kolzig. Barnes was named the WHL’s Most Valuable Player in 1988-89, when he posted 144 points (52 goals, 92 assists) in 63 games.

Wilson, 58, is set to enter his sixth season as associate coach for the club, and his 16th season with the Stars organization, dating back to the club’s days as the Minnesota North Stars. As a member of the Stars coaching staff, he has been a part of seven division titles, two Western Conference crowns, two Presidents’ Trophies and the 1999 Stanley Cup championship.

Wilson’s main coaching focus lies with the team’s defensemen, as well as the penalty kill, which ranked second in the NHL last season (85.5%). The native of Prince Albert, Sask., served as head coach in 32 games with Dallas during the 2000-01 season, leading the club to a 13-11-8 mark after Ken Hitchcock was dismissed.

Prior to joining the Stars, Wilson worked as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, Team Canada and his alma mater, the University of North Dakota. He was also head coach and general manager for Prince Albert in the WHL, and led the Raiders to the 1985 Memorial Cup championship.

Lamb, 44, begins his sixth season as assistant coach for the Stars, with his primary focus on the club’s forwards and power play. Lamb helped guide Dallas to Pacific Division titles in 2002-03 and 2005-06.

Prior to joining the Stars, Lamb served as a development coach with Edmonton for two seasons, managing the development of players throughout the Oilers organization. Lamb was a key member of Edmonton’s 1990 Stanley Cup championship club, recording 17 points (6 goals, 11 assists) in 22 postseason games that season en route to the Cup. Lamb skated in 403 career NHL games with Calgary, Detroit, Edmonton, Ottawa, Philadelphia and Montreal, tallying 46 goals and 100 assists for 146 points.

[NJDevils17]

Sad to see Barnes go. I've always liked him. He was a good defensive forward and not bad offensively either. He'll make a great coach and a good pickup by the Stars.

[DARCY T]

i am glad to hear dat he is joinin stars staff.but i was expectin dat

[cobolt]

Cheers to Stu for a great career as a hockey player

[canuckfan]

Enjoy retirement Stuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu Barnes!

He had a couple big OT goals for the Sabres didn't he? At least one that I can remember for sure....

Solid NHL career though - good hard-working player who always seemed to make the playoffs wherever he was.

[djaye]

Loved ya in Buffalo Stu!

[duda.radek]

No way Sad to see you go Stu...

[bupz91]

Good job Stu, you were a great leader, espcially in buffalo.

[thepolishkid88]

One last time...STUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! One of my favorite players every. Him and Barnaby were 2 of my favorite role players for the Pens.

[jayc948]

Always loved the way that Barnes played, even if he was on a couple of teams that I'm not particularly fond of. His knowledge will be a great asset to the Stars' coaching staff.

[FightingIsGood]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

One last time...STUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! One of my favorite players every. Him and Barnaby were 2 of my favorite role players for the Pens.

And they were traded for each other.

I liked Stu when he was here and was sad to see him go, even though it did bring Barnaby here. He always gave 100% every time he was on the ice. Good luck to ya, Stu!

[Killah_punk]

Originally Posted by thepolishkid88

One last time...STUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU! One of my favorite players every. Him and Barnaby were 2 of my favorite role players for the Pens.

How can you like Barnes after that OT goal he scored against us in game 5 for Buffalo.

[PilotsFan]

Gonna miss Stu, glad he stayed with the team though. He'll have an impact as a coach for sure.

[thepolishkid88]

Originally Posted by Killah_punk

How can you like Barnes after that OT goal he scored against us in game 5 for Buffalo.

Because he was a penguin and i support most penguins...not to mention he was one of the reasons i even started playing hockey. The man wouldnt back down and always tried his hardest.

[Isles4life]

I've always been a Stu fan. He played the game the right way. Sad to see him go, but good luck to him in the coaching business.