"Modano visited and came bearing gifts - including a signed hockey stick and jersey"
Posted on 12/25/2025 4:02:19 AM PST by DFG
One of the greatest hockey stars to lace up their skates in Minnesota spread some holiday cheer by dropping by the house of one of the state's oldest fans.
108-year-old Dorothy Heckmann was enjoying the holidays with her family while wearing her Minnesota Wild hockey jersey.
But while she was lounging in her chair, she received some attention from a visitor: Hockey Hall-of-Famer Mike Modano.
The priceless look of shock and joy on Heckmann's face for the surprise is worth a thousand words as Modano shook her hand.
As Modano wished her a Merry Christmas, Heckmann replied, 'Oh my goodness, you were wonderful.'
Modano came bearing gifts, bringing along an old wooden stick that he signed. He also brought along a signed Wild jersey with his name and number on the back as well as a signed puck from the old Minnesota North Stars.
Modano dropped by to spread some joy to one of his longest fans - and to chat hockey.
'I am so thrilled and happy to meet Dorothy,' Modano said (via KSTP). 'I mean she is an amazing woman. I am just so lucky. You just made my year and the next year and the next year.'
Modano is often regarded as the greatest American hockey player to ever take to the ice.
His lengthy career never saw him play for the Wild. Rather, he started his career with the North Stars and followed them when the team moved to Texas and became the Dallas Stars.
Modano retired after the 2011 season when the Michigan native played one season for his hometown Detroit Red Wings. He played 1,499 games, the most of any American - notably being made a healthy scratch by controversial coach Mike Babcock on what would have been his 1,500th NHL game.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
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"Modano visited and came bearing gifts - including a signed hockey stick and jersey"
That’s the Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh of the world of Hockey.
Traveling to a foreign land, he’s a modern-day Three Kings wrapped into one.
The fan he visited, though—she’s about as far as you can get from being a babe wrapped in swaddling clothes!
That’s a really great story… A perfect Christmas story.
We should never forget our elderly folks…
Coo. I loved watching Modano play for the Stars.
Modano is often regarded as the greatest American hockey player to ever take to the ice.
I admittedly don’t follow Hockey, but even I know that Wayne Gretsky is the greatest American hockey player, oh wait he is from Canada.
As to the greatest, Bobby Orr came to my mind, but that just means I am from a certain generation. I looked him up and see he was actually born in Canada also.
As for this guy, I have never even heard of him.
That poor woman had to go decades between The Minnesota North Stars (now Dallas Stars) and the Minnesota Wild.
Trivia Question: What failing NHL team folded and “merged” into the North Stars?
I saw Modano play in person, in San Jose, in 2009. Joe Thornton was playing for the Sharks then. My wife thought the sun rose and set with Modano. 🤪
Hockey Ping!
Merry Christmas to all!
I thought it was the Cleveland Barons, and sure enough, I was right. Then I thought maybe they were the former California Golden Seals. Right again. Now, we still have a “Golden” team, but they are in Vegas. 🤪
He looks like one of Mitt Romney s sons. Same shape of head and smile.
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