    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [March 16, 2000]
    [Pages 477-478]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks to the 1999 Stanley Cup Champion Dallas Stars
    March 16, 2000

        The President. Thank you very much. Please be seated. I want to
    welcome Thomas Hicks and his family, Gary
    Bettman and his daughter to the White House. Robert Gainey, the manager; and to all the Stars, including the
    captain, Derian Hatcher--I might say, the
    first American-born captain of a Stanley Cup team.
        And I welcome Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson here, who is very proud of this team. We're glad to
    have you back in the White House. There are a lot of people from Texas
    here today, including many members of our administration and former
    members of our administration. I want to welcome you here. I often--I
    miss it when you don't come by. And now I know how to get you back.
    [Laughter] So thank you.
        As all of you know, we're here to congratulate the 1999 Stanley Cup
    winner, the Dallas Stars. Ice hockey is a fascinating game, but for
    those of us who grew up in the South, we know it's normally dominated by
    people north of the Mason-Dixon line. There was not a skating rink in my
    hometown until I was over 40 years old.
        But the Dallas Stars changed the perception of hockey. They were the
    first Sun Belt team to win hockey's Holy Grail in the 107-year history
    of the contest. So now Dallas will be known not just for the Cowboys and
    Super Bowls but for the Stars and the Stanley Cup.
        It occurred to me when I was getting ready for this that hockey is a
    lot like Washington politics. It's a rough game--[laughter]--with a lot
    of lead changes. And usually you never know who's going to win until the
    final moment.
        And that is, of course, literally what happened last June in game 6,
    when the Stars clinched their first Cup--3 overtimes, 111 minutes, all
    of us, even people like me who don't skate very well, on the edge of our
    seats. We watched Ed Belfour block shot after
    shot, MVP Joe Nieuwendyk leading the charge
    on offense. And I still remember when Brett Hull
    shoveled the last puck past Dominik Hasek, a
    man I once met in Buffalo, to capture the win. I would be afraid to try
    to put anything past the guy. [Laughter] This was a very impressive game
    to those who are initiated and those who are becoming initiated into the
    thrills of professional hockey.
        Opening and closing the year with a victory over the Sabres, that
    final game was a perfect ending to a nearly perfect season. The Dallas
    Stars not only took home the cup but also the president's award with the
    best record in the league for the second year in a row.
        And I want to also acknowledge someone who is not here today, the
    coach. Every good coach I know, and I've been
    privileged to know quite a few great ones, always say that the players
    make great coaches. But great coaches also help the players bring out
    the best and play as a team.
        The Stanley Cup is the oldest athletic trophy in North America. So
    it's about more than winning. It embodies our fascination with
    athletics, with determination, with teamwork. All the Dallas Stars
    earned this Cup. And after seeing Wednesday night's victory over the
    Devils, I see you're not going to give it up without a fight. I like
    people who don't give it up--[laughter]--without a fight.
        Congratulations to all of you. And now I'd like to ask the
    commissioner of the National Hockey League, Gary Bettman, to say a few words.

    [[Page 478]]

    [At this point, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman,
    team owner Thomas Hicks, and team captain
    Derian Hatcher made brief remarks. Mr.
    Hatcher presented a Stars jersey to the President.]

        The President. You may have noticed today that I had this tie on. We
    had the annual Speaker's Saint Patrick's Day lunch today a day early up
    on Capitol Hill, so maybe I should just wear this tomorrow. [Laughter]
    This is great.
        Thank you very much. Thank you.

    Note: The President spoke at 5 p.m. in the East Room at the White House.
    In his remarks, he referred to Mr. Bettman's daughter Brittany; Dallas
    Stars general manager Robert Gainey, players Ed Belfour, Joe Nieuwendyk,
    and Brett Hull, and head coach Ken Hitchcock; and Buffalo Sabres goalie
    Dominik Hasek.