Stars retire Jere Lehtinen's No. 26

[GnrlDisarray]

Great to see one of my childhood idols and one of the best defensive forwards of his time being honored. Congrats Jere.

Click to read more...

 

[JustaFinnishGuy]

Is there a video of the ceremony somewhere?

 

[GnrlDisarray]

Is there a video of the ceremony somewhere?

Havent found one yet, just some articles.

 

[yangmang]

does it make me weird that ive never heard of this guy before

 

[VoluntaryDom]

kari lehtonen IMO

 

[HerculePoirot]

What a player.

 

[JustaFinnishGuy]

does it make me weird that ive never heard of this guy before

No, you're just enforcing how underrated Lehtinen was.
Nobody really remembers him outside of old time fans although he had 3 Selkes as a winger.

 

[yangmang]

No, you're just enforcing how underrated Lehtinen was.
Nobody really remembers him outside of old time fans although he had 3 Selke's as a winger.

i started watching hockey in 2006 and i dont think i heard his name on the ice ever

 

[FrozenJagrt]

No, you're just enforcing how underrated Lehtinen was.
Nobody really remembers him outside of old time fans although he had 3 Selke's as a winger.

Old time? Come on now. You're hurting my feelings.

I loved this guy when I was a kid. Mostly because I thought his name was fun to say, but I remember my father talking about how good he was defensively, which is how I learned that defense wasn't only for defensemen.

 

[canadianmagpie]

One of the best defensive forwards in the game, always wanted him on my team. Always thought it was the biggest compliment you could give to an opposing player.

 

[FrozenJagrt]

i started watching hockey in 2006 and i dont think i heard his name on the ice ever

Retired after the 2010 season

 

[JustaFinnishGuy]

i started watching hockey in 2006 and i dont think i heard his name on the ice ever

Don't worry, I've only retroactively followed his career somewhat.
You know, I was literally not born before he got his 1st selke.

 

[TheAngryHank]

Did he win a cup in Dallas?

 

[JustaFinnishGuy]

Old time? Come on now. You're hurting my feelings.

I loved this guy when I was a kid. Mostly because I thought his name was fun to say, but I remember my father talking about how good he was defensively, which is how I learned that defense wasn't only for defensemen.

You fossils need to be reminded that you are old

 

[FrozenJagrt]

Did he win a cup in Dallas?

Yup

 

[yangmang]

Don't worry, I've only retroactively followed his career somewhat.
You know, I was literally not born before he got his 1st selke.

i was 10 years old in 2006. when did he get his 1st selke

 

[JustaFinnishGuy]

i was 10 years old in 2006. when did he get his 1st selke

In the 97-98 season. He actually had back to back Selkes, as he won one more in 98-99.

 

[serp]

Now only Zubov's #56 is missing in the rafters.

 

[Spotty 2 Hotty]

For anyone interested.



Full video will probably be available soon on the site or on Fox Sports Southwest website.

 

[Bounces R Way]

Terrific player who never got his due. Somehow always made the right play.

 

[HerculePoirot]

"I don't want to say the guy's the perfect player, but I found him to be the perfect team player. In other words, if you wanted things done right, then just watch him. And I found he's the only player since I've been in the NHL that I've never coached, like I never 'coached' him. I observed him, and I put him on the ice, and he played. But I never coached him. He coached himself. And he taught me more than I taught him." -Hitchcock.

 

[RebuildinVan]

Totally underated Didnt Mario Lemieux say he was the hardest player to play against?

 

[Spotty 2 Hotty]

"I don't want to say the guy's the perfect player, but I found him to be the perfect team player. In other words, if you wanted things done right, then just watch him. And I found he's the only player since I've been in the NHL that I've never coached, like I never 'coached' him. I observed him, and I put him on the ice, and he played. But I never coached him. He coached himself. And he taught me more than I taught him." -Hitchcock.

Considering how demanding Hitch has always been with players and very nitpicky, that quote speaks volumes about how Lehtinen was. I also enjoyed the quote from Nieuwendyk:

"Well, he was kind of that player that he became right from the get-go," Nieuwendyk said. "I think a lot of players evolve, but I think he was kind of start to finish that type of player. Just very responsible. Sneaky offensive skills, but a really reliable 200-foot player. That's the way he broke in. That's the way he exited."

Lehtinen was and always will be my favorite Dallas Star.

 

[HerculePoirot]

Considering how demanding Hitch has always been with players and very nitpicky, that quote speaks volumes about how Lehtinen was. I also enjoyed the quote from Nieuwendyk:

"Well, he was kind of that player that he became right from the get-go," Nieuwendyk said. "I think a lot of players evolve, but I think he was kind of start to finish that type of player. Just very responsible. Sneaky offensive skills, but a really reliable 200-foot player. That's the way he broke in. That's the way he exited."

Lehtinen was and always will be my favorite Dallas Star.

Must have been SO annoying to play against Jere, and he had a great wrister as well!

 

[TheAngryHank]

Now only Zubov's #56 is missing in the rafters.

Did he win a cup in Dallas?