Frisco, TX (My Sportsbook) - The Dallas Stars fired general manager Doug Armstrong Tuesday and named Brett Hull and Les Jackson interim co-general managers.

Hull and Jackson will run the Stars' hockey operations for the remainder of the season.

Under Armstrong, whose contract was set to expire after the 2010-11 season, the Stars have not advanced past the first round of the playoffs the past three campaigns. This season Dallas is off to a 7-7-3 start.

"As an owner I have to be responsible for one person in hockey operations and that is the general manager of the team," said team owner Thomas Hicks. "I thought that the team needed a change in direction. I know that change can be healthy and it was my determination that this move needed to be made. I want the Dallas Stars to return to being one of the elite teams in the league.

"Doug has been a great member of this organization for 17 years and has been a big part of the success we have had here in Dallas, starting under Bob Gainey and winning seven division titles, two Presidents' Trophies, making two consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances and winning the Stanley Cup in 1999. He has been our general manager for the past five years, and we've been to the playoffs the past four seasons."

In 2002, Armstrong was appointed to general manager and in 2006 signed a three-year extension. At the time of his new deal, Dallas had earned the third-most regular season points (427) in the league since being named GM.

Before becoming the team's GM on January 25, 2002, Armstrong worked for nine years as the teams' assistant general manager.

Hull, 43, is in his second season in the front office for the Stars. He was named as special advisor to hockey operations this past summer, assisting in all areas of hockey operations. Hull served as special assistant to the president the previous season, helping in areas of business operations, broadcasting and marketing.

He retired as a player in 2005 after an illustrious 19-year career spent with Calgary, St. Louis, Dallas, Detroit and Phoenix. In 1,269 games, Hull netted 741 goals -- good for third in NHL history behind only Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe. A member of the 1999 Stanley Cup Champion Dallas Stars, Hull spent three seasons as a player in Dallas from 1999-2001.

Jackson, 54, has spent 20 total years in hockey operations for the Stars over two different stints, including the last seven seasons as assistant general manager, where he has management and oversight over the club's amateur program and scouting efforts.

Jackson also assisted in the evaluation of players as it relates to movement within the organization including the entry draft, trades and free agent signings. He served as assistant general manager for the Atlanta Thrashers from 1999-2000.

"Brett Hull and Les Jackson are both people that I know and trust to do a great job and run our hockey club for the remainder of the season," said Hicks. "They are very good hockey people and know the business well. They have complementary skill sets and successful hockey leadership records.

"It's early in the season and I am convinced they are the right people to provide direction, vision, management and guidance that get this team positioned to win another division crown."