Top Dallas line has special connection to Worlds

Originally published on IHWC.NET in 2001

By Lucas Aykroyd

Not many NHL lines reflect the expanding international diversity of hockey better than the Dallas Stars combo of Jere Lehtinen, Mike Modano and Brett Hull. You’ve got two amazing Americans and a fine Finn. Three NHL goal-scoring titles for Hull, two Selke Trophies for Lehtinen and one 1999 Stanley Cup championship for all of them.

But while none of them are likely to make an appearance in Germany this year, each member of that line is connected in his own way to the IIHF World Championships.

For Brett Hull, the 1986 World Championships in Moscow provided his first opportunity to participate in international hockey. The “Golden Brett” pumped in seven goals in ten games as the USA finished sixth.

Spurned by Canada, where he was born, the 21-year-old Hull vowed to keep playing for the Americans in international competition, and ten years later, he was a huge part of the USA’s winning team at the World Cup, where he led the tournament in scoring (7-4-11).

Lehtinen, meanwhile, teamed up with Saku Koivu and Ville Peltonen on Finland’s top line as the small nation won its first-ever gold at the World Championships in 1995.

“We didn’t start well in our first couple of games, but after that we played awesome every game,” said Lehtinen. “It was a great feeling to win the first gold medal ever for Finland.”

And the celebrations didn’t end at the Globen Arena in Stockholm.

“We had a parade with a lot of people in Helsinki downtown,” said Lehtinen. “We went to different parties for days afterwards. Everybody wanted a piece of us! It was worth it. What a great feeling. People still remember that tournament even though it was six years ago.”

The Espoo native emphasizes the important role of the IIHF World Championships in today’s hockey world.

“It’s not been so popular over here in North America. When I came over, nobody really knew what the World Championships were and they weren’t watching much. But now, with more and more European players over here, people have to realize that they’re coming from somewhere! Usually it’s the World Championships where those guys play first.”

Mike Modano, who led the NHL playoffs in assists in 1999 and 2000, represented the USA in 1993, the last time the World Championships were held in Germany.

“God, I can’t even remember how it was!” said the all-star center from Minnesota. “It’s tough. It’s such a long season. The problem with the Americans has been that they’ve had a lot of college guys and guys who haven’t played together before, while the Europeans are really into that tournament and they’ve trained all winter for it. They have a little better feel for it. Usually Team USA is trying to develop a little bit of chemistry early on, and by the time you do, it’s too late. The tournament’s already over by then.”

Even though he struggled in 1993, going pointless in six games, Modano is a big fan of playing on the big international ice surface.

“I think it’s great. The game’s a lot different on that surface, a lot more patient. The plays develop a little slower, but then you try to hit your speed and it’s all about puck possession. The Europeans are very good at that, and it’s something we have a hard time adjusting to.”

He’s learned about the importance of discipline, a trait his Dallas club is known for.

“Defense is critical,” said Modano. “You saw how the Czechs played in Nagano. They won a lot of 2-1, 1-0 games. You have to be patient on the big ice surface. You can’t start running around, because there’s a lot of ice to cover. You just have to be well-positioned.”