"That's great news, I really appreciate it," Zubov said of the honor, which will take place on a date that is to be determined. "It's been an honor to play for this franchise for such a long time and it's great news. ... It's for family, I think, and friends and people you have played with. It's a nice tribute to them."
Zubov, who will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto on Nov. 18, played 12 seasons with the Stars from 1996-2009. He is the Stars/Minnesota North Stars leader among defensemen in points (549), goals (111), assists (438), games (839), power-play goals (60), plus/minus (plus-103) and shots on goal (1,694).
Selected by the New York Rangers in the fifth round (No. 85) of the 1990 NHL Draft, Zubov had 771 points (152 goals, 619 assists) in 1,068 games with the Rangers, Stars and Pittsburgh Penguins, and 117 points (24 goals, 93 assists) in 164 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He won the Stanley Cup twice, with the New York Rangers in 1994 and the Stars in 1999.
He will be the sixth player in Stars/Minnesota North Stars history to have his number retired, joining Neal Broten (No. 7), Bill Goldsworthy (No. 8), Mike Modano (No. 9), Bill Masterton (No. 19) and Jere Lehtinen (No. 26).
"It's a great honor, and you can see how rare it is," Stars president Brad Alberts said. "We have always wanted to do this, and now that he is being put it into the Hockey Hall of Fame, it makes an easy decision even easier. It's going to be a great night."
