Stuuuuuu no more (and other coaching changes)

... at least not in game.

While I'm certainly not the first to report this, I wouldn't be living up to my new claim that I'm going to be a better news blog for the Stars if I didn't report it: Stu is officially retiring.

I know, we've all been expecting it (even though I can't imagine many of us wanted it).  The Stars moved on as if it were going to happen this summer (did you see the youngsters we signed this summer?); a vacancy in coaching suddenly appeared, conveniently; and Stu really never recovered from that season-ending concussion:

Barnes says he is clear of concussion symptoms that ended his season, but that he really hasn't pushed himself to get his heart rate where it needed to be for him to play again. He said he will probably push harder during the season just to see if the symptoms come back. [ Dallas Morning News ]

Everyone reporting on this has a slightly different angle as those "real" news people actually get a chance to talk to people not just read what's been announced on the internet, so in a poor attempt to keep you from having to read every article out there, here are some other things worth reading on the subject:

He and his family love it here (they all live here in season, and the kids just started school a few days ago), and he said his kids were thrilled when he told them of the coaching opportunity.  All in all, Barnes is very excited about his chance. [ Five for Fighting Blog ]

The modest Barnes never saw himself as a “player-coach,” but the effort he brought to every game and every practice spoke volumes to his teammates.
“I’m not sure if I ever had coaching qualities as a player. I just feel like you are who you are,” Barnes said. “I went out and played the best I could every night, and tried to learn all the time, in every situation. I was pretty fortunate to play as long as I did and learn from all the great people, and I look forward to passing some of that along in this new role.” [ Official Stars Release ]

 

Barnes played in 1,136 regular season games and had 261 goals — 50 of which were game winners. He was tied for 10th among active players with 11 game-winning goals in the playoffs. [ James Mirtle ]

Stu will be missed on the ice, but expect him to become more and more vocal in the years to come.  He's a fantastic player, always learning, and well respected by the rest of the team.  While he is expected to stay in the press box most of the time, I think we'll see him become more and more valuable as an assistant coach, once he learns how to not be on the ice!

And yes, I apologize for continuing the disservice to the following gentlemen by putting their news below a post title for Stu Barnes, but it does make sense.  Rick Wilson (Associate Coach) and Mark Lamb (Assistant Coach) have each been given extensions of 2 years, lengthening their contracts to the end of the 2010-2011 season.  They each have 6 years coaching with he Stars and are both well respected.  Congratulations gentlemen!  [ Official Stars Release ]