'I will forever be proud to call myself a Dallas Star'

Friday was a great night for memories.
Old memories and new ones.
Sergei Zubov had his No. 56 retired by the Stars - just the sixth player in the history of the organization to receive such an honor, and the skilled defenseman was clearly touched by the ceremony.

"I will forever be proud to call myself a Dallas Star," he said as he concluded his remarks at the podium before an arena full of adoring fans.
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For much of the ceremony, there were accounts of the amazing feats of Zubov's career. The 839 games in a Dallas uniform, the six division championships, the 1999 Stanley Cup, which was part of 114 playoff games. The was testimony from Ken Hitchcock and Bob Gainey and Ralph Strangis on just what made Zubov so special.
And that was fabulous.
The now 51-year-old clearly appreciated the love. He wasn't always comfortable with the media or with the attention from the fans, but he said he definitely felt the vibe on Friday.
"I appreciate the moment, I appreciate the fans," Zubov said.

Among those assembled to honor Zubov were former teammates Mike Modano, Derian Hatcher, Ed Belfour and Craig Ludwig, along with assistant coach Rick Wilson. Getting the group back together is always special, Modano said.
"It's been so long, but we just fall right back into it," he said. "We're kidding each other and talking B.S, and it's like we never have been apart. It's so much fun because we really get along great, and we do have great memories."
Modano said the experience of watching your number being retired is a bit overwhelming.
"I remember when it happened for me, it was really emotional, and you don't realize everything that happened until a few days later. Being here tonight was great because it's like you get to relive it all over again and you get to appreciate what [Zubov] is going through."

When asked how he felt standing next to his wife Irina and daughter Anastasia while the No. 56 was raised to the rafters, Zubov took a moment. "I'll tell you tomorrow," he said. "Let me share it with my family, with my friends and I'm just proud to be a small part of this team and this city."
That's part of the beauty of a night like this. The memories will go forward. There will be fond gatherings and future connections and a continuing story that'll keep the talking for years going forward.
"I had those yesterday and the day before, as soon as I saw the guys," Zubov said. "Being back on the ice, surrounded by special, people, it was great."

One of the most interesting stories of the night was how Zubov got No. 56 in the first place. He wore No. 21 in New York with the Rangers, but then switched to No. 3 when he was traded to Pittsburgh. Zubov wore No. 3 in Russia growing up, so he thought it'd be good luck. Instead, he broke two fingers early in his season with the Penguins and said he needed to react.
"Something had to change," he said. "I had to change something."
So he picked one of the few numbers available and he became No. 56. He grabbed that number when he came to Dallas and the rest is history.
"Now, you'll be the only player to ever wear it," emcee Daryl Reaugh said.
It's an interesting tribute.
"I mean, seriously, who would ever want that number?" Ludwig said with a laugh.
Well, certainly a lot of young defensemen who want to model their hero now. At the very least, everyone who comes to American Airlines Center will know the one and only No. 56 on the Stars.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Hockey League or Dallas Stars Hockey Club.
Mike Heikais a Senior Staff Writer for DallasStars.com and has covered the Stars since 1994. Follow him on Twitter @MikeHeika.