A USA Today investigation has exposed how the Dallas Stars, a $2 billion NHL franchise, has built a controversial empire in North Texas youth hockey by controlling 10 of the 13 ice rinks in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Parents and community leaders are speaking out against what they describe as monopolistic practices, price manipulation, and retaliation tactics.
The Ice Monopoly
In the lucrative world of youth hockey, ice is power — and in North Texas, the Dallas Stars control almost all of it. The team owns three rinks outright and operates seven others through management agreements, leaving only three independent facilities in the entire metropolitan area. A new Stars-controlled rink in Northlake is scheduled to open in 2026, further consolidating their dominance.
"The Stars have created a culture in our area that if you speak out against the Stars, then there's retaliation," Lisa Bry, former President of the Frisco Ice Hockey Association, told USA Today.
A Threatening Message
Bry's first meeting with Stars executives set an ominous tone. In April 2023, shortly after becoming president of the Frisco Ice Hockey Association — a nonprofit serving middle and high school students — she made a decision that would bring her into conflict with the NHL team.
Her board voted to terminate contracts with two coaches who had received poor evaluations from parents. During a subsequent meeting, Keith Andresen, a Dallas Stars executive who operates the rink where the club practices, expressed his desire for those coaches to remain. According to Bry, Andresen told her: "Let me remind you where you get your ice." Andresen later disputed using those exact words, but Bry understood the message clearly: if the club didn't reinstate the coaches, the Stars could prevent their six teams from practicing at the rink.
From Community Asset to Profit Center
The Stars arrived in North Texas in 1993 when ice hockey was virtually unknown in the area. As interest grew, Dallas set out to control as much ice in the metroplex as possible. This strategic acquisition of rinks has given the organization significant leverage over youth hockey operations, including the ability to raise prices and dictate how local programs run.
Stars' Defense
Stars executives defended their approach, with their chief officer stating: "We're very proud of everything we've built here, and we are dedicated to fostering hockey in the community and statewide." He emphasized that the Stars have become a benchmark for non-traditional NHL markets, pointing to growth in youth participation and facility development.
Broader Implications
The Dallas situation raises important questions about how professional sports franchises should interact with youth sports in their communities. As youth sports continue to evolve into big business across America, the Dallas Stars' model may represent either a cautionary tale or a blueprint — depending entirely on whether you're the NHL franchise or the parent of a kid who just wants to play hockey.