Cover Story – Marty Turco

The Dallas Stars franchise has seen its share of netminders over the years. From Andy Moog and Eddie “The Eagle” Belfour to Kari Lehtonen and current goalie Jake Oettinger, the franchise has boasted plenty of talent between the pipes. But, if you take a gander at the franchise leaders in net for the Stars, one name pops up again and again. Marty Turco is the Stars franchise leader in net for number of games played (509), wins (262) and minutes (29,065). Although Turco never hoisted a Stanley Cup, he provided Dallas fans with plenty of memories in his nine years with the Stars. Since his retirement in 2012, the Ontario native has worn a number of different hats. He has done some analyst work with the NHL Network, he and his wife have raised three children, and now, he is a Special Assistant to the President as a member of the Stars’ front office. Alongside owner Tom Gaglardi, President Brad Alberts and General Manager Jim Nill, the Stars have developed one of the NHL’s most loyal and passionate fanbases, offering a unique game experience that keeps spectators coming back again and again. 

Now, at age 49, the three-time NHL All-Star is entering yet another season of life … and this one is within the golf industry. Turco has always been passionate about the game of golf. As a member of Royal Oaks, Preston Trail and Inverness Club (Ohio), Turco can play, carrying a single-digit handicap. Recently, Turco was approached about a new development on Fairfield Lake State Park. This private golf club and community, to be called Freestone Club, is currently in development, a little less than two hours southeast of the Metroplex. This 5,000-acre, exclusive development will offer a Beau Welling-designed championship golf course, short course, dining, lake activities and consist of around 400 homesites, priced between $5 million and $7 million. 

Turco has taken the opportunity and run with it, championing the new development as the future of luxury living in Texas. AVIDGOLFER Magazine spoke with Turco about his love of hockey, his relationship with other members of the Stars’ front office, and Freestone Club. 

AVIDGOLFER: Since you retired, you’ve been an analyst, part of the front office for the Stars, and now you have this new venture with the Freestone Club development … which one would you say you have enjoyed the most?

MARTY TURCO: I always enjoyed something about every job I have had since I retired. I have always been about teamwork and feel like every job I have had is an opportunity to make a difference. This current space with Freestone is a new opportunity for me, and I am loving it so far. But working for the Stars has been great, and I really enjoy working for them, not only on the business side, but also helping make a difference in the community. 

AG: You’re now an assistant to the president for the organization. How has your working relationship been with Brad Alberts and the other executives?

MT: Brad was a friend beforehand. Jim Lites, Brad and I go back a long way to my playing days. Getting to know Tom Gaglardi has been great, too. He’s a great owner and we spend to the cap to try to win every year. It’s been awesome to see what Jim Nill has done with the hockey ops guys, especially in the last four or five drafts. I have learned a lot through osmosis in every other facet of the business. The new streaming service, community, business, marketing, tickets, social media … it’s a great operation. It has been a real honor working with them. 

AG: You mention those last four or five drafts. What excites you about those young players?

MT: What we have in our pipeline is very exciting for the Stars. We are going to be competitive for a while. Our future looks so bright. 

AG: We’re just a couple weeks away from the season opener. How do you see the season shaping up, especially with the combination of wily veterans and great younger players?

MT: That’s the secret sauce, right? Can you build within and still add some pieces along the way? Our captain, Jamie Benn, is the longest-running captain in the league, and with him here we will always have that leadership. We lost Joe Pavelski, but you are always going to lose some of those older guys that make a big difference, but it also means the younger guys have another year of experience. I think our young guys, like Miro Heiskanen, Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Esa Lindell and Jake Oettinger, offer a great mix. This team will go as they go. Winning comes from within. This current team has the experience of going to the final four the last two years, and I think that will pay dividends on the hunger side of things. If we stay healthy, I see us right in the mix again this season. 

AG: You mentioned Jake Oettinger. As a former netminder, what does Jake need to do to help take the next step and finish off a title run?

MT: He doesn’t have to do much more. He needs to be our MVP come playoff time, but we need to help him with some timely goals in crunch time. He’s the man, he works his butt off, and he has all the tools. I’ve found that guys historically peak mentally in their late 20s, and if there is another gear for him, I can’t wait to see it. 

AG: Let’s talk a little golf. You love the game, and you are member at Royal Oaks. Have you had the chance to play with Scottie Scheffler?

MT: Sure. Quite a bit. It’s kind of surreal. I have been a member there since 2005. So, I have seen him and his family around the club for years. But to be able to bring him to Stars games and get on the course with him is great. He will shoot some crazy rounds, and I am happy to give him money when we play just to watch his game, so I don’t turn those rounds down when I get the chance. I will tell you, not only is he fun to play with, but he is exactly like he comes across on TV. He’s a standup guy, and when he says golf doesn’t define him, he means it. He’s a great person, a great family guy, and he’s pumped to be a dad. Those are the things we talk about. He’s just a super guy. 

AG: You have teed it up in the Invited Celebrity Classic the last couple years. Although I don’t think they are bringing it back for 2025, how much fun was it to tee it up with other celebs, and are there any other celebrity events on your radar?

MT: Yeah. I really enjoyed that. I wish they would bring it back because I loved playing in the tournament and talking with the other celebrities and athletes. You know, we could do a local celebrity event with just DFW guys. There are about 20 Dallas Stars alumni that could play. The Tahoe tournament would be cool, but that’s tough because of the time of year. I’m pretty busy. 

AG: Hockey players generally make pretty good golfers due to the hand-eye coordination and core strength advantages. Are there any other reasons you see why it seems that most hockey players also end up being pretty good on the course?

MT: Sure. There are a couple things. One, is hockey players use their legs more than you think and that helps with power and core strength. Secondly, it’s the lag. Hockey guys generally trap it to create spin. Baseball players are the same. I have played with Ian Kinsler a lot, and he really creates a lot of power. Mainly it’s just athleticism and the legs. 

AG: You are involved with a new golf development called Freestone Club. How did you end up involved?

MT: It’s a great new opportunity. I had known some of the people involved previously, and they took me to the property and I was blown away. I saw the lake and specifically the island where the course will be located and couldn’t believe it. Growing up in a gorgeous part of Canada and having lived in Texas for a quarter of a century, I didn’t know there was that kind of beauty in Texas. It’s the largest private lake in the state, and we are pumped about the Beau Welling golf course. It is going to be the ultimate development for golf and activities. There are large lot sizes and there are no houses there now. But once they start building, the other lots are going to start selling quick. I think it will be one of the finest developments in the country and highly sought-after. 

AG: Where do you see this development in five or 10 years?

MT: I think it will be close to, if not totally, sold out. I think a decade from now it will be a globally recognized project for high-end amenities, golf, lake life, and I think it will be unbelievable. It will be a legacy piece. Second and third generations of families will be thankful parents or grandparents had the foresight to develop there and leave them with something so unreal. 

AG: You have three kids. How much are you looking forward to taking your kids and eventually grandkids down there?

MT: This will be the ultimate family hangout. You want to go down to just hang out and grill at the house? That’s great. If you want to go to dine on property, we’ll have options for that. There are going to be so many lake activities, too. Fishing and all that. We love the buzz around the development and the topography where Beau Welling is developing the course. 

AG: How about some bucket list courses you haven’t played?

MT: Well, as you know, the thing with bucket list courses, is you can’t usually ask to play them. I will say, I have been fortunate to play two of the three top dogs in the country. One is in Georgia and the other one is in Monterrey Peninsula. I got beat up by Oakmont earlier this year. What a special place that it. I am also a member at Inverness in Toledo, and I’m biased but I think its one of the best in the country. One of the ones on my list is Royal County Down. I have heard it’s incredible. 

AG: Thanks for the time and go Stars!

MT: Thanks. It’s going to be a great season.