The Stars signed Joe Pavelski as a free agent in 2019, and he has been a key cog since his arrival in Dallas. Here are five things you may not know about him:
1. The basics
Born: July 11, 1984 in Plover, Wisconsin
Drafted: 2003, 7th round, 205th by San Jose
Height: 5-11
Weight: 190 pounds
2. ‘Dude Perfect’ helped bring him to Dallas
Shortly after signing with the Stars in July 2019, Pavelski joined 96.7 FM/1310 The Ticket for an interview where he revealed how ‘Dude Perfect’ helped in Dallas’ recruiting efforts.
The show has a good relationship with the Dallas Stars and back in 2019 Pavelski’s son, Nate, was 8 years old and a fan of the show.
“They sent a cool little video hoping we would come join them in the Dallas Stars family, it was geared towards Nate, those guys were smooth as ever at it,” Pavelski said in the radio interview. “It’s very flattering, that was a nice touch by them. ... Work the 8-year-old. It’s all about the kids at the end of the day.”
3. Making history
Pavelski is a pivotal piece that makes the engine of the Stars offense run. This was never more evident than the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Pavelski went 15 days between a concussion against the Minnesota Wild in the playoff opener and his return against the Seattle Kraken in Round 2. In his first game back, the 39-year-old became the oldest player in NHL history with four goals in a playoff game, albeit in a loss.
However, the production didn’t stop there. Pavelski would score eight goals in the series against Seattle, setting a franchise record for most goals scored in a single playoff series by a Dallas Stars/Minnesota North Stars player.
During the playoff run, Pavelski also passed Capitals great Alexander Ovechkin with 73 career postseason goals, the most among active NHL players.
4. Late bloomer
Pavelski has been an NHL All-Star four times in his career, all in his 30s.
He made his latest appearance in 2022 and was named Central Division captain. At 37 years old at the time, Pavelski was the All-Star Game’s oldest participant and the winner of the NHL 21 in ‘22′ challenge at the Skills Competition.
Respect your elders. @JPav8 | #NHLAllStar pic.twitter.com/qAT6U5Mfcs
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) February 5, 2022
His first All-Star appearance came during the 2015-16 season, when he had 78 points on the year with San Jose, the second-highest total of his career. He had 10 fewer points in the 2016-17 season, but again made the All-Star team.
After a one-year hiatus, the 34-year-old earned his third All-Star selection in the 2018-19 season, his last run with the Sharks. He finished with 64 points that year and 38 goals, the second-highest single-season total of his career.
5. He played with the U.S. Olympic team
Pavelski played in six games, tallied three assists and was a silver medalist with the U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team at the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, British Colombia in 2010.
He got the opportunity to represent the U.S. again in 2014, recording a goal and four assists in six games during the Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia.
Pavelski was named captain of Team USA for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey, thus getting the nickname “Captain America.”