It is a logical decision to induct both Brenden Morrow and Jim Lites into the Stars Hall of Fame simultaneously.

Both of them excelled in challenging circumstances.

Lites, who served as the team president during the Stars’ relocation to Dallas, has successfully managed numerous crises throughout his three terms with the franchise. On the other hand, Morrow triumphed over injuries and obstacles, ultimately securing the sixth position in the franchise’s all-time record for games played with an impressive tally of 825. Both individuals have played vital roles in the Stars’ remarkable success and will be duly recognized as the latest nominees in the esteemed categories of Builder and Player.

Daryl Reaugh, Stars analyst, expressed, “You would be hard-pressed to find two individuals who are a better fit. In my opinion, they both exemplify the core values of this organization.”

Stars President and CEO Brad Alberts expressed his belief that Brenden and Jim truly deserve this honor and have made a significant impact on the organization, leaving a lasting legacy.

In 1993, Norman Green hired Lites to assist the franchise in relocating from Minnesota to Texas. Since then, he has played a significant role in the development of hockey, including the establishment of suburban rinks, promoting the sport through advertising, negotiating television deals, and ultimately finding a new owner in Tom Hicks. This was only the beginning of Lites’ contributions. He played a major part in the construction of American Airlines Center and the transformation of Victory Park into a thriving business hub. Currently, Lites is heavily involved in assisting the Stars in the creation of VICTORY+, a cutting-edge streaming broadcast service.

According to Marty Turco, the former All-Star goalie and longstanding chairman of the Dallas Stars Foundation, Jim consistently took on any task that was required. Whether it involved constructing suburban rinks or a new arena, or even finding a new owner, Jim always stepped up. When you consider the extent of his responsibilities, it truly is remarkable.

Lites joins the esteemed Stars Hall of Fame in the Builder category, alongside Bob Gainey and Ken Hitchcock, adding a refreshing touch to the legacy. While Gainey and Hitchcock contributed greatly to on-ice achievements, Lites has made a significant impact in the business realm, building a thriving enterprise over the course of three decades.

Reaugh stated that he is the one who has constructed things in this place and perfectly fits that description.

Lites has extensive experience in managing hockey bankruptcies. He initially gained recognition for his work with the Detroit Red Wings, where he played a crucial role in transforming the franchise into one of the most successful in the NHL under the Ilitch family’s ownership. Following this success, Lites was recruited by Green in 1993 due to his expertise in dealing with financially struggling teams. Green had encountered financial difficulties with the Minnesota North Stars and sought Lites’ assistance. Unfortunately, the NHL lockout in 1994 further exacerbated Green’s financial troubles. Lites played a significant part in facilitating the purchase of the team by Tom Hicks, through his involvement with Hicks Sports Group. The financial support from Hicks Sports Group ultimately paved the way for the team’s victorious Stanley Cup win in 1999.

After briefly departing on a few occasions while collaborating with the Arizona Coyotes and New York Giants, Lites ultimately came back when Tom Gaglardi acquired the Stars out of bankruptcy in 2011. Lites played a vital role in establishing a stable financial foundation alongside Gaglardi before transferring the presidency to Brad Alberts. He subsequently transitioned into various financial domains under Gaglardi’s guidance.

However, Lites stated that one of his favorite accomplishments is successfully navigating three different financial hardships and emerging on the positive side.

Lites stated that the exhilarating aspect of rebuilding a team’s business lies in achieving success on the ice.

The Stars have accumulated the third highest number of wins in the NHL, amounting to 1,229, since their relocation to Dallas. However, if we consider the period starting from the 1995-96 NHL season when Hicks assumed control, they hold the top position in the league with 1,170 victories.

Morrow’s resume highlights a significant winning percentage, which greatly contributed to Dallas’ success during his tenure as a power forward. Despite facing a few exceptional circumstances, such as being named team captain in 2004 after Mike Modano lost his captaincy, Morrow skillfully managed the responsibility while ensuring a smooth transition for his friend. This further solidifies his ability to handle challenging situations with grace.

Turco, one of Morrow’s closest friends, expressed, “No one could have handled it better. Brenden Morrow possesses genuine integrity and compassion. It wasn’t a facade. He dealt with the situation in a manner that only he, with his sincere nature, could have. The entire incident truly reflects his character. He was our guiding principle, our moral compass.”

Morrow has earned a legendary reputation for his exceptional resilience in the face of pain and injury. A remarkable display of his determination was witnessed when he attempted to engage in a fight with the Vancouver Canucks’ bench while balancing on just one leg. Despite enduring multiple neck injuries, he persevered and achieved success. With a total of 243 goals, he proudly holds the ninth position on the franchise’s all-time goals list, while his impressive tally of 43 game-winning goals secures him the fourth spot. It is the subtle nuances that truly define Morrow’s character.

Turco emphasized that Brenden Morrow’s career should not be evaluated solely based on a hockey card, but rather by delving deeper into his achievements and personal growth.

According to Reaugh, one of the most memorable moments involving Morrow occurred during the 2008 playoff series against the San Jose Sharks. In Game 5, Dallas unfortunately lost in overtime after letting a two-goal lead slip away in the third period, which could have secured their advancement. However, the team persevered and returned home to face a challenging Game 6. It took an intense battle of four overtimes, but ultimately, Morrow emerged as the hero by scoring the game-winning goal for a 2-1 victory, securing their series clinching triumph.

According to Reaugh, the best representation of his skills as a player was showcased in Game 6 against San Jose, and Game 5 as well. In Game 5, he didn’t achieve his desired outcome, but he was unwavering in his determination to achieve it in Game 6. He had an unwavering resolve and was willing to take matters into his own hands if necessary.

In that particular season, Morrow played a crucial role in guiding the Stars to the Western Conference Final, where they unfortunately fell short against the eventual Stanley Cup champions, Detroit. Additionally, Morrow had previously been a part of the 2000 Stars team that faced defeat against New Jersey in the Stanley Cup Final. Moreover, his final season saw him as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning, who unfortunately suffered a loss to Chicago in the Final of 2015.

Morrow expressed his belief that getting so close to winning the Cup actually exacerbates the situation. Reflecting on his experiences, he admitted that being young and naive after reaching the finals in 2000, he had assumed victory was inevitable. Consequently, reaching the end without achieving it was a difficult blow to bear. The final year in Tampa was particularly challenging for him, as he believed it was his last opportunity, intensifying the disappointment he felt.

However, the good memories remain intact. He had the opportunity to play alongside his childhood idol Brett Hull. He forged numerous friendships and created lasting memories. Moreover, he crossed paths with his wife Anne-Marie, who happens to be the daughter of his teammate Guy Carbonneau. Additionally, he is on the verge of becoming a distinguished member of the Dallas Stars Hall of Fame.

Morrow expressed that returning and retiring as a Star held great significance for both himself and his family, and considered it as the icing on the cake. He mentioned that being acknowledged was a wonderful sensation.

At the age of 71, Lites continues to make valuable contributions and remains hopeful of continuing to do so for many more years.

He expressed his enthusiasm for the TV deal, stating that he had been involved in it for quite some time. With a successful career and a current state of immense enjoyment, he couldn’t ask for a better situation.

This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.

Mike Heika is a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.