Hockey world the loss of a longtime team owner at age 79

Hicks bought the Stars in 1995, guiding the team through a period that reshaped hockey in Texas. His tenure delivered the 1999 Stanley Cup, a moment engraved into the city's sports identity.

The club also captured two Presidents' Trophies and stacked seven division titles, a record verified through NHL.com notes and cross-checked with archived team data.

Those seasons featured balanced roster building, smart cap management, and consistent depth scoring. Dallas averaged 45 wins across Hicks's first six full campaigns, which underscores how quickly the team became a powerhouse under his watch. Mike Modano thrived during those years, posting multiple 70-point seasons that anchored the Stars' attack.

Fans often describe Hicks as a complicated but influential figure, a view that resurfaced across social feeds as the news spread Sunday. That sentiment reflects how tightly his legacy is woven into Dallas hockey culture.

The Stars acknowledged his passing with a formal statement, noting the competitive standard he helped create. His stewardship produced consecutive conference titles in 1999 and 2000, benchmarks that remain meaningful to longtime supporters.

His tenure was not without challenges, yet the on-ice results stand firmly on their own.

Former players have credited Hicks for maintaining stability during key transition years. That stability supported the franchise's emphasis on structured defending, strong neutral zone play, and disciplined special teams, traits that shaped their consistent success. His impact extended beyond the rink, as he invested heavily in local community programs connected to youth hockey.

Hicks eventually sold the team in 2011, closing a significant chapter while leaving the Stars positioned for long-term relevance. His passing now reopens memories of an era defined by ambition and a championship standard that still guides the organization. Fans will likely revisit those moments this week as the city reflects on a complicated but undeniably important sports figure.

The coming days will be about remembering what he built and how his influence helped Dallas become a true hockey market that continues to grow.