Thanks everybody so much for your insights and perspectives on the game of hockey. I've started to look at the under the 'Stars' section on ESPNDallas.com, as well as watching video highlights for the Dallas Stars. I'll definitely be clicking through the links that come up in the comments, some of which I've checked out already and have been a boon for information (Turns out, I don't mind Jimmy Wales staring into my soul every couple of months a year if I have that much information available at my fingertips). Hopefully I'll be able to refer to the Stars as 'we' as opposed to 'them' someday, much like I've done with the other area franchises, and preferably sooner rather than later.

In your opinions, what makes hockey different from any other sport? And would it be wrong to call hockey a fast-paced 5-on-5 soccer game?

I know the answers are going to be obvious for this, greatest player ever to live? Gretzky. But, are there any solid arguments for anyone else? (A la NBA, Jordan is considered the runaway favorite, but Wilt definitely deserves a mention).