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Stu Barnes retires, joins Stars coaching staff

Thu 28th, August 2008

Frisco, TX (Sports Network) - Stu Barnes, a 16-year veteran who spent the last four seasons with the Dallas Stars, announced his retirement on Thursday. He will remain with the club, however, signing a two-year contract as an assistant coach.

"We congratulate Stu on an outstanding playing career and we are very excited that he will now join our coaching staff," said Stars co-general manager Les Jackson. "Stu was a consummate professional on and off the ice throughout his career, and was the type of player who always exhibited the qualities you would associate with a future coach. Stu will be an excellent addition to our staff, which we feel is among the best in the league."

Barnes tallied 597 career points in the NHL -- with 261 goals and 336 assists -- in 1,136 games with the Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Buffalo Sabres and Dallas. He scored 12 goals and added 11 assists in 79 games for the Stars last season. Dallas acquired Barnes in a trade with Buffalo in March 2003.

Selected fourth overall in the 1989 draft by Winnipeg, Barnes scored 30 goals and notched 32 assists in 116 playoff games over 12 postseasons. The Spruce Grove, Alberta native twice reached the Stanley Cup finals -- in 1996 with Florida and in 1999 with Buffalo -- but never won a championship.

"I was truly fortunate to play as long as I did, and I knew this was the time for me to wrap up my playing days," said Barnes. "A great opportunity to become an assistant coach was presented to me by the Stars, and I look forward to making that transition and learning a new part of the game."

The Stars also announced on Thursday two-year contract extensions for associate coach Rick Wilson and assistant coach Mark Lamb. Their contracts were set to expire after the 2008-09 season and will now run through 2010-11.