Not long ago, another Stars fan and I sat back and laughed at the trouble that would-be-foes would face from a line of Sean Avery, Brenden Morrow, and Steve Ott—although the likelihood of such a line is slim to none.
Both Avery and Morrow are big-name players, known for laser-like precision in the goal-scoring spectrum and spine-busting power in the hitting department. For Avery, the hits have come so hard that he ruptured his own spleen and played the rest of the game, almost leading to his own death.
Morrow is a little less self punishing and is a Shark punisher instead, leveling a Shark—I now no longer remember his name—and I doubt he does either after a hit like that. Moreover, in the same game, Morrow would ripple the twine for the game-winning goal, lifting the Stars to the Western Conference Finals. Oh captain, my captain!
A lesser-known Dallas Star, however, is one who is just as much a force on the ice and a leader on and off the ice, Steve Ott. In a previous article, I covered the hated man's personality and playing abilities. I left out much of what he really means to the team.
The man nicknamed “Otter” has been a fan favorite since he arrived in Dallas and first dropped the gloves. It's very likely he will continue to be. Over the years, he has come to personify the hard working and hard-hitting style that makes the Stars a feared team in the Pacific division.
“Otter is an important member of this team,” said captain Brenden Morrow, in an article on the Stars' website. “He does whatever it takes to win, and that’s the kind of attitude we want on everyone in this dressing room.”
“When I first came in, it was Derian Hatcher and Richard Matvichuk, and some of the older guys who were the leaders in the room,” he said. “This last season, the tide has kind of turned. Brenden Morrow and Marty Turco are at the forefront of the leadership, but I’m now one of the guys who can speak up and help those guys.
I want to be looked upon as a leader on our team. You have to lead by example. You can’t take games off you have to carry yourself well off the ice too. That is something I take pride in, trying to help the leadership on our team because it is so young,” Ott said in the same Stars article.
“If we’re all pulling on the same rope it definitely translates on the ice.”
Ott will surely become an even more important member in the locker room and on the ice for the Stars, with the addition of fellow bash brother, Sean Avery. Avery and Ott’s styles will surely blend to a flying-fist ballet to opponents and hopefully help lead the Stars to the Stanley Cup.
Quote and Image Source: Courtesy of Dallas Stars website
7 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Aaron Brenker 10 months ago
I have always loved Steve Ott. He is the definition of a hockey player. He also had that breakaway goal against Colorado in the 2004 playoffs. Just another reason why I like the stars style of play.
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Ken Armer 10 months ago
Ott truly is a great all-around hockey player, and the fans love him for it.
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M MacDonald Hall 10 months ago
You'll really like him in games against the Flames. he is tasked with Jarome Iginla, and the two of them play a never-say-die routine every time. It's a 50/50 trade-off usually: Iggy often plays his best when his blood is boiling, but Ott is often equally tenacious when pestering Iginla and throwing him off his game.
A player rival teams love to hate. Usually the mark of a guy well loved within a franchise.
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Ken Armer 10 months ago
Two guys Avery fought the most in his career were Morrow and Ott, the idea of that line on the ice would make any NHL enforcer shake in his skates and make Stars fans cheer.
I've seen the youtube vid of Iggy and Avery going at it, and Ott is just a grade A pain in the ass. He is a classic hockey player.
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Alan Bass 10 months ago
Ott is one of those amazing people who can bring it both on and off the ice. He is truly that third or fourth line player that people look for during free agency.
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Rafal Ladysz 10 months ago
nice article
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Sam Hansen 10 months ago
Otter is one of my favorite players... hard working, huge work ethic, always friendly to fans. A true Star among Stars.
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