Steve Ott Is a Star Amongst Dallas Stars

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