Ed Belfour can still hear the rhythmic chant of the playoff crowd after a big save. "Eddie! Eddie! Eddie"
The goaltender, who ranks fifth all-time in wins with 484, was the last line of defense for the Dallas Stars' heyday from 1997-2002, including their Stanley Cup title in 1999. Now, he's going into the Dallas Stars Hall of Fame, alongside his former head coach, Ken Hitchcock.
In an exclusive interview with KRLD's John Liddle, Belfour, expressed his excitement and gratitude.
"Winning the cup here in '99 was just an amazing time of my career. We did so many great things here, and being recognized and honored with this great weekend means so much." Belfour said.
The induction ceremony, scheduled for this weekend, will take place over three days, starting on Friday. Hitchcock and Belfour will be honored as part of the Stars' home game against the Flyers on Saturday.
Then the celebration continues with the Dallas Stars Hall of Fame Induction Gala presented by Truist on Sunday night at Gilley's Dallas. The festivities start at 5 p.m., and conclude with a concert by Casey Donahew at 8:30 p.m.
Tickets are still available for the Gala, starting at $35.
"It's gonna be a lot of fun getting back with Hitch and talking about old stories and memories. It'll be an amazing weekend for all of us," Belfour beamed.
Belfour's connection with the Dallas fanbase is undeniable, as they played a crucial role in pushing the team to success.
"The Dallas Stars fans are always amazing, so passionate," Belfour explained. "You know, the 'Eddie Eddie' chant, I'll never forget. We had that support from the fans when we won the Cup. You gotta have that."
He reminisced about their former home at Reunion Arena, where the fans were right on top of the action, creating a vibrant and electric atmosphere.
While Belfour's playing days are behind him, his second passion in life has emerged - Belfour Spirits, his own whiskey brand. Started eight years ago in collaboration with his son Dayn and daughter Reaghan, the whiskey brand has seen great success.
"The journey's been challenging, but what isn't? Just like we did here with the Stanley Cup in '99, we've done great things already with our Belfour brand. We look forward to bigger and better things," Belfour said.
He expressed pride in the premium quality of their whiskey and their plans to have their own distillery up and running soon.
Throughout his career, Belfour always made it a point to give back to the community, and Belfour Spirits continues that tradition.
"With Belfour Spirits, part of our profits go towards helping those causes," he stated. "We love supporting different charities, Make-A-Wish, the Dallas Stars Foundation, animal rescues - we'll continue to do that."
Belfour's impact on the Dallas area extends beyond the ice. He played a pivotal role in helping the community fall in love with hockey.
"I'm just so thankful that I could be a part of it. The Hicks family supported us 100% right from the start." Belfour recognized the significance of the team's move to Dallas in 1994 and the subsequent growth of youth hockey in the area.
Thanks to the guidance and support from the Dallas Stars organization, many children now have access to state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities to pursue hockey at a competitive level.
The induction of Ed Belfour and Ken Hitchcock into the Dallas Stars Hall of Fame serves as a reminder of the team's historic achievement in 1999 and the lasting impact they had on the Dallas community.
"I'm just so glad I was part of it," Belfour smiled.
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