Joe Nieuwendyk

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Nieuwendyk's tenure coincided with one of the most memorable runs in NHL history: the 1999 Stanley Cup victory. He finished the regular season with 28 goals and 55 points in 67 games, then added 11 goals and 10 assists in the 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs to help the Stars win the first Stanley Cup in their franchise history. Six of his playoff goals were game winners, and he was voted the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the playoffs. Injuries again limited him in 1999–2000. He missed ten games due to a bruised chest then suffered a separated shoulder a week after his return that kept him out of the lineup for several weeks. He played only 47 regular season games, but added 23 more in the playoffs as the Stars reached the 2000 Stanley Cup Final. They lost the series in six games to the New Jersey Devils, however.

In Their Own Story

The Stars immediately signed Nieuwendyk to a new deal worth US$11.3 million over five years. Bob Gainey, the team's general manager, hoped that the acquisition of Nieuwendyk would help the franchise, which had relocated from Minnesota three years previous, establish its place in Dallas. He scored 14 goals and 32 points in 52 games with the Stars to finish the 1995–96 season. He improved to 30 goals in 1996–97 despite missing the first month of the season with fractured rib cartilage. A 39-goal season followed, but he was again sidelined by injury after appearing in only one game of the 1998 Stanley Cup playoffs. In the opening game of the Stars' first-round series against the San Jose Sharks, he suffered a torn ACL as a result of a check by Bryan Marchment. The injury required two knee surgeries to repair and six months to heal, which caused him to miss the beginning of the 1998–99 NHL season.

Reader's Guide

Joe Nieuwendyk's most significant achievement with Dallas occurred during the 1998-99 season, where he led the team to their first Stanley Cup. This victory was built on a foundation of balanced scoring and elite goaltending, but Nieuwendyk's leadership was key. He was voted the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the playoffs. Earlier in his tenure, he scored 14 goals and 32 points in 52 games to finish the 1995–96 season, then improved to 30 goals in 1996–97 despite missing the first month with fractured rib cartilage. He played in his 1,000th career game on January 20, 2002, against the Chicago Blackhawks. Two months later, on March 19, 2002, he was traded to the Devils, along with Jamie Langenbrunner, in exchange for Jason Arnott, Randy McKay and a first round selection in the 2002 NHL entry draft.

Did You Know?

• Nieuwendyk was acquired by the Dallas Stars on December 19, 1995, in a trade that sent Jarome Iginla and Corey Millen to the Calgary Flames.
• He scored 11 goals and 10 assists in the 1999 Stanley Cup playoffs, with six of his playoff goals being game winners.
• He was voted the winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy as most valuable player of the 1999 playoffs.
• Nieuwendyk suffered a torn ACL in the opening game of the 1998 playoffs due to a check by Bryan Marchment, requiring two knee surgeries.
• He played his 1,000th career game on January 20, 2002, against the Chicago Blackhawks while still a member of the Stars.