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NHL: STARS: Stu Barnes - 1,000 Games Q&A

/noticias.info/ Stars forward Stu Barnes played in his 1,000th NHL game on Nov. 30 at Washington. He was recognized for the milestone this past Thursday when Dallas hosted the New York Rangers. DallasStars.com sat down with Stu to talk a bit about his career and the trek to 1,000 games.

DallasStars.com: When you first broke into the league, did you ever think you might reach 1,000 games?


Barnes: "I think when you break into the league you're just worried about staying in the league and becoming an NHL player. You don't think about 1,000 games at that point. I remember thinking that if I can play into my 30's then I would be doing pretty good. I remember (current Anaheim coach) Randy Carlyle was honored for his 1,000th game in my rookie year in Winnipeg and some of us were thinking, 'Wow, that's a lot of games,' and it seemed like you would have to play forever to get to that mark. It's amazing, it goes by fast."


DallasStars.com: What does that milestone mean to you? How proud of you are of reaching this?


Barnes: "I'm very proud of it. Just the fact that only 212 guys have done it makes it special. I've never been a high scorer or a high profile kind of guy, so I really feel like anything I've accomplished in this game I've worked hard for. Over the years I've met some great guys and played for some great organizations. I've very thankful."


DallasStars.com: When did you first think you might have a chance to play in this league for this long?


Barnes: "Probably not until last year, honestly. I hit 900 at the beginning of last year and then at the end of the season I was at 975 and I thought, 'Man, this is really possible.' But even just 25 games away you never know what might happen. I don't know that I actually believed that I did it until I was standing out there at center ice (Thursday) night with Doug Armstrong and Jim Gregory for the ceremony to honor the milestone. It almost doesn't seem real."


DallasStars.com: What do you think has been the key for you to play this many games? What approach do you take to every game to continue being successful at what you do?


Barnes: "For me it is just pushing myself. Being able to play different positions has been a big key for me. I've always tried to do my best to be a part of every team that I've been on and do whatever is asked. I just try and remain consistent and I try to play hard every night and contribute."


DallasStars.com: Five teams and hundreds of teammates - who are some that you look back on and think to yourself, "I am really glad I had the chance to play with him?"


Barnes: "There are so many guys. It's amazing. I've made so many friends in my career and that's what makes it so special. Guys like Tommy Fitzgerald is one that comes to mind. That Florida crew that we had in '96 was a great bunch of guys. We also had a great group in Buffalo in '99. Those were special times. It would be impossible to list them all. And my time here in Dallas has been great. I've been lucky to have some great teammates."


DallasStars.com: Out of the 1,000 regular season games played, what are some of the ones that stand out for you?


Barnes: "Obviously my first-ever game was special (Oct. 4, 1991 vs. LA). I remember it well. I grew up in Edmonton watching Wayne Gretzky and then my first game is against him. It was a big thrill for me. I was just as big a fan that night, being able to watch him play and compete against him was awesome. That was probably the biggest one. There were some other games along the way that you'll always remember for different reasons but it's more about memories than actual games for me. The fun I've had with my teammates and just playing the game has been special."


DallasStars.com: Do your kids have a grasp of what 1,000 games played really means? What does your family think of the milestone?


Barnes: "Yes, my kids do have a good sense of what I've accomplished. It's one of the things I am most proud of, or that I enjoy the most is that my kids get to see me play and understand what I do and be a part of it. My daughter Riely and my son Jack both understand that this is what Daddy does for a job. That gives me enjoyment more than anything, just to have them around. And my wife has been with me from the beginning and has been very supportive. She's been great. I'm very happy that they have been involved in the whole thing."


DallasStars.com: How much longer do you think you might be able to play?

Barnes: "Who knows? I just want to continue to help the team and be productive. Wherever I've played I've just tried to do my best. Hopefully I can continue to be a good player here for the Stars for a long time. I definitely want to be a Dallas Star for the rest of my career; there's no doubt about that. I've already decided that and hopefully that is a long ways away. We love it here." notas_de_prensa_archivo