Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Stars Sign Francis Wathier and Krys Barch to 2 Year Deals

Despite the madness of the Mike Modano Press Conference today. Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk did take care of some business today by signing Dallas Stars Forward Kris Barch and Texas Stars Forward Francis Wathier to 2 year deals today.

For Barch, he played 63 games in the regular season who scored 6 assists with 0 goals. However he's gets paid for big hits and to be an enforcer as he racked up 130 penalty minutes this past season. In all 4 seasons for the Stars, he racked up triple digit penalty minutes in his career.

Francis Wathier played a majority of the season for the Texas Stars by scoring an impressive 40 points (19G 21A) during the regular season and was a huge physical presence in Austin during both the regular season and the playoffs during the team's Calder Cup Run.

Dallas Stars Press Release: http://stars.nhl.com

Dallas Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk announced today that the hockey club has signed Kris Barch to a two year contract worth 1.675 Million. This extension puts Barch under contract through the 2011-2012 season.

"Kris Barch is a competitive player who adds character, grit and toughness to our hockey club," Nieuwendyk said. "He gives everything he has each night and we are pleased to have him back for two more years."

Barch, 30, played in 63 games for the Dallas Stars last season, collecting 6 assists and 130 penalty minutes. He has played 209 NHL Games over the past four seasons, all with the Stars, recording 8 goals and 15 assists with 475 Penalty minutes. The Hamilton, Ontario, native was originally signed as a free agent by Dallas on July 18, 2006.


Nieuwendyk also announced today that the club has signed right wing Francis Wathier to a two year, two way contract. The extension puts Wathier under contract through the 2011-2012 season.

Wathier, 25, made his NHL Debut with Dallas last season, recording four shots and five penalty minutes in five games for the Dallas Stars. He spent the majority of the season with the Texas Stars of the AHL, skating in 76 games and collecting 40 points (19G 21A) with 101 penalty minutes. The St. Isidore, Ontario native also played 24 playoff games with Texas, tallying 8 points (2G 6A).

The 6'4" 208 pound left wing has played 240 games in the AHL and has scored 41 goals and 38 assists with 349 penalty minutes. Wathier was drafted in the sixth round (185th overall) of the 2003 NHL Draft.

Mike Modano Poll Question

With Mike Modano now officially released from the team. The new poll question is simply what do you want him to do now with free agency starting tomorrow. Should he play for another team to maybe have one last shot at another Stanley Cup or do you want him to retire as a career long Dallas Star?

I want to hear your comments and post some of your favorite Mike Modano moments in a Dallas Stars Uniform as well.

My Quick Take: Also why on earth was the Mike Modano Press Conference not televised live this morning. Especially on a network like FSN Southwest where they cover the Stars all season long. Well today, were talking about the end of an era and a lot of people would have liked to see it today as people wanted to see what he had to say this morning.

Mike Modano Highlight Video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7LiHe4_b_o

www.wfaa.com/video/featured-videos/Modano-gives-reaction-to-his-release-from-the-Dallas-Stars-97494004.html

You can also tweet me at http://twitter.com/tanman9

This Question is simple folks.

Should he Announce his Retirement

Sign for another NHL Team

Mike Modano Press Conference on the Ticket

Mike Modano's Press Conference about him getting released will be getting underway in a couple of minutes that you can listen to on Sports Radio 1310 the Ticket. Tune your radios, turn up your Internet stream or if you have an IPhone, tune it to the Ticket to hear Mike Modano's comments as we hear from the Ex Dallas Star for the first time since getting released yesterday.

http://www.theticket.com/

Click on the Link and find the Big Green Button that says listen here for the live stream.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

ESPN Dallas Article on Modano leaving the Stars

Here's a look at an article by Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas on the end of the Mike Modano Era of the Dallas Stars.

By Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas: http://espn.go.com/dallas

The Dallas Stars are not going to offer Mike Modano a contract for next season, general manager Joe Nieuwendyk said Tuesday, ending the Modano era with the franchise.

Nieuwendyk said the club decided it was time to move forward with a younger group and that Modano doesn't fit into those plans. Modano has not decided whetever he's going to play next season.

"This decision doesn't come easy, but it's something I've been talking to Mike about for quite some time," Nieuwendyk said Tuesday, two days before free agency again in the NHL. "It's a difficult decision for fans and our entire org. I feel it's necessary for us to move forward under these trying times. We have young players that I believe have to be put in a position where they can be successful and unfortunately the depth of our team at the center position. I didn't anticipate Mikes role moving forward from a fourth line position and, in fact, we need to incorporate a different look there as well."

Nieuwendyk said he's talked to Modano about a place in the front office, through the role remains undefined.

"I'll be the first guy knocking on the new owner's door to have Mike as part of the org.," Nieuwendyk said. "We've talked about it at length. The league said this is an issue that has to be handled by the new ownership group coming in. Again, I think we're all beating the same drum: We want Mike Modano as a part of the org.

Later at a news conference, Nieuwendyk said he's realized Modano's popular standing within the franchise but felt it was time to move on.

"My job is on the ice," Nieuwndyk said. "I realize the impact Mike has had on the franchise from a selling point. You're not going to replace Mike Modano. He's been a special person and a special player for so many years in Dallas. But like all great players, at some point you have to turn the page. I feel like it's time we turn the page."

Modano told ESPN Dallas last week that he figured if he was going to play next season, next season it would not be in a Dallas Stars uniform.

"The more and more I looked into the situation, I come to believe I'm not in the scheme of things here," Modano said that. "If I had to play, I may have to look at going elsewhere."

Modano has spent his entire 22 year career with the Stars Org. He holds a gaggle of club records - he's the franchise leader in 15 statistical categories - and is the all time points (1359) and goals (557) leader among U.S. Born Players. All of them were collected as a part of the Stars Org.

He was drafted first overall in 1988 by the then Minnesota North Stars, and became the face of the Stars Franchise when the club moved to Dallas in 1993.

He helped the team win a Stanley Cup in 1999, when Nieuwendyk, then his teammate, won the Conn Smythe winner as Playoff MVP.

"I realized taking this job as GM I was going to be faced with difficult decisions. I've had to face some very tough decisions because I've played with some of these guys," Nieuwendyk said. "They are my friends". I have to do what I feel like is necessary. The Strength is with our young players. We have to find the next Mike Modano. We won't find the same Mike Modano, but we have some young players that want to push it to the next level."

Modano, who turned 40 earlier this month, played part of last season on the fourth line. He had 30 points, including 14 goals in 59 games. His final home game was a memorable one, as Modano scored to tie the game late in regulation and then in a shootout in a Stars win, and was given several rousing ovations in an emotional farewell.

His last game of the season was against the Wild in Minnesota, where he skated off the ice after the game wearing his old North Stars Jersey.

Modano becomes an unrestricted free agent Thursday. He said physically he still can play but has to decide if he wants to go through the grind of another season. Modano said last week that he's continued to work out as if he's playing again, and then he wanted to wait and see what the market bears for his services.

Stars forward Brad Richards said he understands management's decision to move forward with younger players, but they are going to miss Modano's presence.

"The NHL is getting younger because of budgets and I would imagine if we were on the cusp of a Stanley Cup, things might be different," said Richards via text. Richards led the team with 91 points last season. "I think Joe needs to see what these young guys can do and with the ownership problems, he has tough decisions concerning the budget."

Another forward, Steve Ott, added that Modano's departure impacts more then just the fans.

"Mike was a wonderful teammate, always happy, always joking around and having a good time," Ott said. "He brought that fun attitude to the rink. Those are the type of guys you can go to war with and battle with. He made it fun. That's why we play this game."

Stars Captain Brenden Morrow said the departures of Modano and free agent goalie Marty Turco will alter the leadership element in the Stars dressing room and on the ice.

"Those were two veterans I could lean on," Morrow said. "Marty was a vocal guy that others listened to. Mike provided so much with his presence. And when he did have something to say, it carried weight."

Dallas Stars Prospects Development Camp

The Dallas Stars announced today the schedule for the 2010 Dallas Stars Prospects Development Camp which will include over 30 of the team's top prospects from the different Junior, College, European, and from the team's top Minor League Affiliates with the Texas Stars (AHL) & the Idaho Steelhounds (ECHL) coming up from July 1-7 to take a look at their progress from last season and see how close to the NHL some of the players are.

Over 30 of the team's top prospects will be coming to the Frisco Starcenter for a combo of On Ice and Off Ice activities which includes the teams last 2 first Rounders in Scott Glennie and Jack Campbell. Other notables include Philip Larsen, Alex Chiasson, Colton Sceviour, Tyler Beskorowany, and the Texas Native Austin Smith who played his sophomore season at Colgate University this past season.

Like all schedules with the Dallas Stars, they always scheduled to chance. In the meantime, this is the schedule that they have planed so far and all events are open to the public in Frisco.

Prospects Camp Schedule

Thursday 7/1

Practice (Both Groups) 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM


Friday 7/2

Practice 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM (Team A)

Practice 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM (Team B)


Saturday 7/3

Practice 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (Team B)

Practice 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM (Team A)


Sunday 7/4

Practice 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (Team A)

Practice 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM (Team B)


Monday 7/5

Practice 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM (Team B)

Practice 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM (Team A)


Tuesday 7/6

Team Building Activities


Wednesday 7/7

Skills Event 9:00 to 10:00 AM


Stars Development Camp Roster from the Andrews Dallas Stars Page Website: http://www.andrewsstarspage.com/

Goalies


1. Tyler Beskorowany 6'4" 208 Sudbury, ONT. Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
31. Jack Campbell 6'3" 175 Port Huron, MICH. USNTDP (USHL)
40. Adrien Lemay 6'0" 171 Moncton, N.B. Lewiston Maineiacs (QMJHL)


Defensemen


22. Jordie Benn 6'1" 195 Victoria, B.C. Allen Americans (CHL)
59. Mike Bergin 6'3" 197 Kanata, ONT. RPI (NCAA)
34. Etienne Boutet 6'0" 205 St. Nicholas, QC Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
50. George Hughes 6'1" 175 Westwood, MA St. Lawrence (NCAA)
64. John Klingberg 6'0" 158 Lerum, SWE. Frolunda JRS (SWE JRS)
54. Hurbert Labrie 5'11" 170 Victoriaville, QC Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
36. Philip Larsen 6'1" 183 Esbjerg, DEN. Frolunda (SWE SEL)
61. C.J. Ludwig 5'11" 175 Little Elm, Tx. Omaha Lancers (USHL)
45. Guillame Monast 6'2" 199 St. Julie, QC Idaho Steelhounds (ECHL)
15. Patrick Nemeth 6'3" 201 Stockholm, SWE. AIK Stockholm JRS (SWE)
42. Alex Theriau 6'2" 189 Duncan, BC Everett Silvertips (WHL)


Forwards

70. Alex Belzile 5'11" 174 St. Eloi, QC Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)
22. Alex Chiasson 6'4" 187 Montreal, QC Boston University (NCAA)
67. Armond Deswardt 6'5" 210 Dallas, TX. Wenatchee Wild (NAHL)
55. Thomas Frazee 6'5" 205 N. Vancouver, BC Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
52. Luke Gadzic 6'3" 226 Toronto, ON Texas Stars (AHL)
46. Scott Glennie 6'1" 185 Oakville, ON Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
51. Alex Guptill 6'3" 175 Newmarket, ON Orangeville Crushers (CCHL)
33. Jonathan Hazen 5'11" 170 Val-Belair, QC Val-dor Foreurs (QMJHL)
43. Locke Jillson 5'10" 170 Dallas, Texas Cornell (ECAC)
27. Kevin King 6'0" 185 Calgary, AB Kootenay Ice (WHL)
62. Tristain King 6'2" 190 Indianapolis, IN. Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
25. Michael Kirkpatrick 5'10" 175 N. Sydney, NS St. John Seadogs (QMJHL)
60. Curtis Mckenzie 6'2" 192 Golden, B.C. Miami of Ohio (CCHA)
65. Ondrej Roman 6'0" 168 Ostrava, CZE. Vitkovice (CZE)
16. Garrett Ross 6'0" 170 Deerborn Heights, MI. Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
57. Colton Sceviour 6'0" 201 Red Deer, AB Texas Stars (AHL)
48. Austin Smith 5'11" 160 Dallas, TX. Colgate (ECAC)
92. Riley Smith 6'0" 157 Toronto, ON. Miami of Ohio (CCHA)
68. Matt Tassone 6'2" 200 St. Albert, AB Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
53. Mathieu Tousignant 6'0" 182 St. Etiennede. Lauzon, QC. Texas Stars (AHL)
23. Tomas Vincour 6'2" 199 Brno, CZE. Vancouver Giants (WHL)
39. Scott Winkler 6'2" 195 Asker, NOR. Colorado College (WCHA)

Puck Podcast Free Agency Special

The Puck Podcast Show has their first ever Free Agency Special as the NHL Gets ready for Free Agency which starts on Thrusday. Topics include some of the top players like Iiya Kovalchuk plus some of the top goaltenders like Marty Turco, Evgeni Nabokov and Johan Hedberg. They will also take a look at some of the needs to be addressed by all 30 teams and what needs to be done before the start of the 2010-2011 season in October.

Puck Podcast: www.puckpodcast.com

Puck Podcast Free Agency Special: www.puckpodcast.com/puck-podcast-free-agency-preview-special/

Dallas Stars releasing Modano: My Commentary

Well when the season ended back in Mid April for the Dallas Stars up in Minnesota. Their was a strong possibility that his Stars career would end where it began just over 20 years back in April. Now it's made official that the face of hockey in the state is moving on after 21 seasons with both the Minnesota North/Dallas Stars Franchise, the team is going to have to look for a new identify, a new direction and looking for new ways to succeed.

For Mike Modano, part of me wants him to retire to preserve the fact that he would play his entire career for one team as I got a chance to see his final home game back April 8 against the Anaheim Ducks. The huge ovation he got during the 3rd period, scoring the game tieing goal that got the game to OT, then scoring in the SO.

All the great moments from the team's debut, the great playoff moments from getting to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1999 and 2000 to winning the whole thing that long and tiring night in Buffalo in June of 1999. Also as a final respect to the team and the city that cheered for him for the last 17 years. Knowing that he won't be getting revenge or looking for any more milestones or possibility winning a 2nd Stanley Cup after back-to-back Cup Finals in 1999 and 2000.

This would be a good time for him to retire, he just turned 40 years old, theirs not much left for him when it comes down to milestones. He currently has 557 goals in his career which puts him in the 500 goal club. At his rate in recent years, it would take a long time for him to reach 600 even though he's only 43 away from that milestone.

In addition to the Stanley Cup, he also won the Silver Medal at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City as well. Most players usually retire in their late 30s/early 40's so he's pretty much on track right now. After just recently turning 40, this would be a good time because of where he is in his career. Not good enough to play in the Olympics again, another milestone mostly unlikely, but he will always have the memories and the fact that the number 9 in Green & Gold will always be remembered in the D/FW Area.

On the other-hand, I could also see him play again. Because of his lack of major injures in his career and on some nights, even this past season, he's still can bring his moments of magic that can turn games around and help support young players as they pro careers are just starting up.

If he could find a spot where he could be a strong 3rd line center on a team that could possibly be looking to win a Cup next year, it would not be surprising for him to comeback for a year or two. Every player has that fire to get all their can out of their careers. Whetever it's milestone, one more shot at a Cup or for love the game if nothing else.

For Stars fans, it will look weird not seeing him in a Dallas Jersey next year. This was just Like when Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, Roger Stabuch or Nolan Ryan left their teams in D/FW Sports History. It happens to everybody at some point and fans may not like, but teams need to move on with a new group of players that's looking for their success and chances to win championships in the future.

Right now the Stars don't have just a lot of prospects and the ones they do have like Scott Glennie and Philipp Larsen need to start getting involved in the system. As for players like Jamie Benn, James Neal and Kari Lehtonen, their time is now to have a strong new group and bring hockey glory back to D/FW that we haven't had since 2008 when the team reached the Conference Finals. Their time is now and the spotlight will be on them now with Modano gone.

I congratulate him on all he's done from the Stanley Cup, the Olympic Silver Medal and he will always be a part of the Dallas Stars moving forward. He still got great moments to look forward to, like getting his jersey retired and being voted into the Hall of Fame. He will most likely be with the team's front office at some point after his playing days are over, regardless he decides to play next season or hang em up this summer.

So in conclusion, they is life beyond Mike Modano for Dallas Stars fans, also get a chance to learn about the up-and-comers to the club like Jamie Benn and James Neal as we will get to know them better in the future. Eventhough it may be tough and painful right now. When you look back at up, they will be still a lot of great moments to look back.

But at the same time, look forward to a new generation of Stars and more chances to see Stanley Cup Titles and maybe an event like the Frozen Four or the World Junior Championships that could come by here as the sport continues to grow in the future.

It's sad to see Modano, but never forget all the fun and success he had in his time as the face of the team.

Dallas Stars Press Conference on Modano

A press Conference from GM Joe Nieuwendyk, Head Coach Marc Crawford and Team Staff just started from the AAC in downtown Dallas. You can listen to it on the Sports Radio 1310 the Ticket right now you can listen to on your radio or online at http://www.theticket.com/

When you get on the Ticket Website, find the Green Button on the top of the screen that says "Listen Here".

In addition to Joe Nieuwendyk press Conference, it starting to look like that Mike Modano will be speaking about this sometime tomorrow. As for the TV Stations covering, you better have this televised tomorrow because were talking about the end of an era with one of the greatest players in this cities history. We're also talking about the man that put the sport on the map in this state and especially in the D/FW Area.

Update: Mike Modano will have his press Conference at 10:30 AM tomorrow from the AAC.

It's official: Mike Modano's Time in Dallas is over

It was just reported then confirmed on the Ticket just moments ago that the Dallas Stars will not offer Mike Modano a new contract when he officially becomes a free agent on July 1 this week. This officially marks the end of an era in Dallas as he is not just the last part of the 1999 Stanley Cup Team, but one of the most respected and longest serving athletes in the history of D/FW and helped bring the sport of hockey to Texas as it is today.

Since then, they are 4 Junior Teams in the NAHL, Three AHL Teams that are affiliated with the Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild and Phoenix Coyotes right now. He has the team marks in just about everything imaginable. It's sad that GM Joe Nieuwendyk couldn't find a way to make it happen. But unfortunately, all good things have to come to an end.

However, this is a team that needs a new identity and needs to get back on track to make the playoffs and start getting a new owner in Dallas to get out of this money problem that has the Stars operating on a tight budget and unable to go after big time free agents and big trades to help this team right now. Also younger players like Jamie Benn, James Neal and prospects like Scott Glennie and Philipp Larsen need to start getting ready for bigger roles on the team to make the team successful.

Sports Radio 1310 has learned that they will be a noon Press Conference to officially announce that Mike Modano will not be returning to the team. As for Modano's future, he will look to see what kind of deals will come from free agency throughout the month of July. If he doesn't get a deal that suits him, he may announce his retirement later this summer.


Mike Modano Profile with the Stars: http://stars.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8449645

Other Stories on Mike Modano's Release


Dallas Morning News: Amazing Numbers: www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/hockey/stars/stories/063010dnospomodanofacts.ee7bda07.html

Dallas Morning News: Nieuwendyk Releases Modano:
http://starsblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/06/nieuwendyk-stars-will-not-ask-modano-bac.html

WFAA: www.wfaa.com/sports/hockey/stars/Dallas-Stars-cut-ties-with-Mike-Modano-after-20-seasons-97402719.html

WFAA, Pressure to be the Main Guy is Gone
www.wfaa.com/sports/hockey/stars/Modano-Im-really-on-fence-right-now-91431544.html



Press Release from the Dallas Stars Website: http://stars.nhl.com/

The Dallas Stars have decided not to offer center Mike Modano a contract for the upcoming season.

"We have the up most respect for Mike Modano," Nieuwendyk said. "He will always be a huge part of this hockey club. He is a great teammate and a great person. Mike is the face of this franchise. That's what makes this decision so hard."

Nieuwendyk and the hockey staff have had many meetings internally over the last few months about the team, roster and identity - for now and moving forward. He has also met with Modano several times to discuss his future since the season ended.

"Mike is unclear on whetever he will retire or not, and still may decide to play next season. After assessing our roster and where we need to go as a hockey team, we have decided not to offer Mike a contract and allow him to explore free agency on July 1. If Mike decides that he would like to play with another team, we support his wishes. That's part of the reason behind the timing of this announcement; we wanted to be upfront with Mike and give him the option to explore playing for other clubs on July 1 if he chooses."

Nieuwendyk feels it is time for the younger players to take on bigger roles in the forward lines.

"We have a number of young guys who are hungry and ready for bigger roles on the team. That's a big part of the decision. These players are ready to step up and play important minutes. We need to continue their improvement and development if we are to get to where we want to be as a hockey club."

Nieuwendyk said that this decision did not come overnight. It was reached after many discussions and reflection.

"This is as though decision as a GM can make, but it comes with the job. I have to put the team first and what I feel is in best interest in the team. Again, I have the up most respect for Mike. I spoke with him about this decision yesterday in length."

While Modano's playing days as a Dallas Star are over, Nieuwendyk is very interested in having him involved with the hockey club in the front office.

"I also feel that Mike needs to be involved in our franchise," he said. "While I think it is time for him to stop being a player for the Stars, we plan on talking with our future new owner about a role that would best fit the interest of Mike in the org. We're not sure what that is yet, but I can tell you what Mike to be very involved. When he is ready. If he is going to play for another team, we want him to return to the Stars when he is finished and remain a large part of what we do."

Nieuwendyk understands that this is not a popular decision and some fans will be dissapointed.

"I truly understand how the fans feel about Mike and appreciate what he has done for the franchise," he said. "But all players have to face this day; Emmitt Smith is a perfect example, as is Joe Montana, Troy Aikman or Ray Bourque.

"I know what Mike is going through. When you turn 40 and face the end of your playing career, it is very hard to let go. I don't blame him for being undecided possibly wanting to continue. But this is a hockey decision and we feel it is in best interest of our roster. I stand by that and I believe that."

Nieuwendyk knows what Modano means to this franchise and said what we all feel.

"We wish Mike the very best and thank him for his incredible contributions to the Dallas Stars. There will never be another Mike Modano. It is our goal to have him continue doing great things for this franchise in the front office, and we look forward to making that a reality someday."

Modano is the Stars franchise leader in several statistical categories, including games (1,479), goals (557), points (1,356), power play goals (156), shorthanded goals (29), game winning goals (92), shots (4,194), and highest +/- (+43 in 1996/1997).

Monday, June 28, 2010

Stars going defensive in later rounds, selecting 3 defensemen and a skilled Left Winger

After the Dallas Stars took Jack Campbell in the opening round on Friday Night. The Stars were defensive focus with a couple of Swedish Junior Players, a major player who plays the Everett Silvertips plus a Junior A Player who plays in the Central Canadian Hockey League which in the Central Part of Ontario. Included in the picks is a great 2nd Round Defensemen which includes a player from the very successful AIK Stockholm Program which always have had a number of great players over the years.

From John Tranchina of the Dallas Stars Website: http://stars.nhl.com

Many Observers expected them to take a defensemen in the first round, but the Dallas Stars ended up selecting three overall, including one in the 2nd round, choosing Swedish blueliner Patrick Nemeth 41st overall.

A tough, physical defensemen who skates well for his size (6'3", 201 pounds), Nemeth split the 2009-2010 season between AIK Stockholm Juniors and Professional Teams in the Sweden's Second Division.

"He's a good skater for his size," said Stars European Scout Richard Oquist. "He brings leadership to his club." Nemeth brings a physical edge and is a solid defensive player."

A solid defender and a good penalty killer, Nemeth registered one goal and 20 points in 38 games, while racking 120 penalty minutes. In the 2nd pro season, he skated in 16 contests, contributing three assists. Dallas ended up trading down in the 3rd round, dealing the 71st overall choice for Colorado for the 77th pick, where they choose left winger Alexander Guptill while also added a fourth rounder, 109th overall, who turned out to be defensemen Alex Therial.

"We liked Guptill, so we moved back, got we wanted and added an pick," explained Stars Director of Scouting and Player Development Les Jackson. "It worked out for our scouts who had a chance to excierse their work. We only moved back six spots and got a pick for that."

In Guptill, the Stars get a big (6'3", 175 pounds), physical forward who also has some offensive skill, as the native of Newmarket, Ontario totaled 19 goals and 37 points in 29 games for the Orangeville Crushers in the CCHL and notched 6 goals and 11 points in 10 games for Brampton in the OJAHL, both second level Junior A Leagues.

Guptill, who missed some time early in the season with a broken wrist, is slated to play for the Waterloo Blackhawks of the United States Hockey League next season before heading to the University of Michigan in the fall of 2011, so he will have plenty of time to grow before he becomes an NHLer.

"He is a big winger with a lot of natural skill," Stars Director of Amateur Scouting Tim Bernhardt said of Guptill. "He is a young guy and needs some time develop but he will get that time at Michigan."

"Guptill is big and strong, one of the most talented guys that come out of Junior A Tier 2," added Stars Scout Jimmy Johnston. "He has good hands. Alex really does not lack anything, he just needs to continue to play games. He was injured a bit last year."

As for Theriau, the 6'2", 189 pound native of Duncan, BC, is a solid, smooth skating blue-liner who notched four goals and 24 points in 70 games this past season for the Everett Silvertips. As he continues to fill out his big frame, Theriau, who was ranked 77th by NHL Central Scouting, hopes to add more of a physical dimension to his game.

"I like to consider myself a good skating defensemen," said Theriau, whose coach in Everett is Former North Stars rearguard Craig Hartsburg. "I like to play good, solid defensive hockey but also contribute offensively, and I base my game around my skating and puck moving. Probably I'd like to more physical. I want to put on weight, that's my goal for the summer."

"Theriau a good skater, he's one of the best skaters in the Western Hockey League and he can really get to pucks." Jackson said. "He's an ideal situation for growth, he's with Craig Hartsburg, who's one of the best coaches available to work with him. His game is based on skating and the puck, so for the new game, he has the attributes that fit. It's just a matter of developing and growing."

And finally, with their fifth round pick (131st overall), the Stars selected Swedish Defensemen John Klingberg from the Frolunda Indians Junior Squad. Klingberg, a 6 foot 158 pound all around blue-liner, will need to get stronger, but Stars management is confident he will.

"Our last pick, our Swedish Scout liked Klingberg," Bernhardt said. "They feel he's still got a lot of growth - he's still a slight kid, but they fell he's got all kinds of growth in him. He skates really well and he's a feisty kid."

Klingberg registered five assist in 27 games in the Elite-Level Junior League in Sweden and reminds some Dallas Scouts of Stars Prospect Philipp Larsen.

"He's a two way defensemen and he has some bite to his game," said Oquist. "He's a great skater, mobile and moves the puck with ease. Big guy that needs to fill out."

The Stars had previously traded away their original fourth rounder, as well as the sixth and seventh round picks.

In Nemeth, the Stars were excited to add another hard nose defensemen somewhat in the mold of current blueliner Marc Fistric.

"Nemeth is a good skating defensemen, said Stars director of European Scouting (and former North Stars Goaltender) Kari Takko. "He is good on the puck and a bug guy on the back end."

Nemeth's pre draft rankings were a bit all over the map, as he was slotted 37th by the International Scouting Services, 42nd by TSN's Bob Mckenzie and 61st by the Hockey News. NHL Central Scouting had him listed 11th among European Skaters.

"He's more of a two way guy," Jackson said of Nemeth. "His strength is without the puck, for sure, but he's got a first pass, he manages the blueline offensively. He needs some work, but for sure has a good foundation."

While the Stars absorbed some local criticism for not choosing a defensemen on Friday, Bernhardt noted that it was not a wise idea to go into a draft with a specific need, especially when a player is still a few years away from the NHL.

"You can't go into a draft targeting a certain area," he said. "You've got to take what comes at you," because over a four or five year period, it's going to even out. That's the way we have to look at it."

Overall the Stars are very happy about how the day unfolded, still ending up with 3 defensemen after securing goaltender Jack Campbell with that first rounder (11th overall) on Friday Night.

"It's not what we said," we have to get a defensemen in that area,' Its just that when we made our lists, this is the way it came out," Bernhardt said. "We had a bunch of defensemen slotted into the 2nd round. We had a pretty good feeling we were going to get a defensemen in that area, we had Nemeth and a couple of defensemen other defensemen that we were targeting in the 2nd round and Nemeth was the one that was available, so we're very happy with that. He's a big, 6'3" defensemen who plays a very aggressive, in your face type of game. We think there's some untapped offensive potential there, he's got a big shot. He's going to be a big player when it's all said and done."

"And Guptill, he's a very skilled guy." From what we can see, he's got all the tools. He's got long, fluid strides, he just kept getting better from the start of the year. "He's going to Michigan, so he's got a good development program ahead of him.

"We came to the draft with only four, which is not very good, we were able to pick up a fifth pick, which was kind of a bonus. If we can get two or three players out of this draft, we're very happy."


Here's a look at the Prospect Profiles and what some of the experts have to say about the Dallas Stars Draft Picks from Rounds 2 through 7.


Patrick Nemeth, AIK Stockholm (SWE JRS) (2nd RD, 41st Overall)

Patrick Nemeth's Profile: www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=2554

Comments about Patrick Nemeth

Director of European Scouting Karri Takko: Nemeth is a good skating defensemen. He is good on the puck and a bug guy on the back end."

European Scout Rickard Oquist: He's a good skater for his size. He brings leadership to the club. Nemeth brings a physical edge and is a solid defensive player.

Director of Scouting and Player Development Les Jackson: He's a good two way guy. His strength is without the puck; he's got a good first pass and defends the blue line well.



Alex Guptill, Orangeville Crushers (CCHL) (3rd Round, 77th Overall)

Alex Guptill's Profile: www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectdetail.htm?dpid=2372


Comments on Alex Guptill

Amateur Scout Jimmy Johnston: Guptill is big and strong, one of the most talented guys that come out of tier two. He has good hands. He's going to the University of Michigan. Alex really does not lack anything, he just needs to continue to play games. He was injured a bit last year.

Director of Amateur Scouting Tim Bernhardt: "He is a big winger with a lot of natural skill. He is a young guy and needs some time to develop but he will at Michigan.

Les Jackson: "We've seen him around 15-20 times. This kid is an impressive young player. He is a big guy with a solid foundation and he has skating, skill and good offensive touch.


Alex Theriau, Everett Silvertips (WHL) (4th Round, 109th Overall)

Alex Theriau Profile: www.hockeysfuture.com

Comments on Alex Theriau

Amateur Scout Shane Churla: "He's a puck moving defensemen. He is an excellent first pass defensemen. He has great mobility, which is probably his best asset. He has the potential to be a very good two way defensemen.

Les Jackson: "His game is skating and puck moving. He's one of the best skaters in the Western Hockey League. His game is based on Skating. It's just a matter of development with him, and growing. Maturity his time will come.


John Klingberg, Froulnda JRS. (5th Round, 131st overall)

John Klingberg's Profile: www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=21717

Comments on Klingberg

Kari Takko: He started to come out in the 2nd half of last year. His attributes are a lot like Philipp Larsen. He needs to fill out a little, but he's a good two way defensemen.

European Scout Rickard Oquist: He's a two way defensemen and he has some bite to his game. He's a good skater, mobile and moves the puck with ease. Big guy that needs to fill out over time.

2010 NHL Draft: 7th Round Selections

181 EDM. Kristian Pelss F 5'11" 179 Dynamo Minsk JRS. (BLR-JRS)

182 TOR. Josh Nicholls RW 6'2" 174 Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

183 FLA. Josh RJ Boyd D 6'2" 175 Cushing Academy (HS-MA)

184 CBJ. Martin Ouellette G 6'1" 160 Kimball Union (HS-NH)

185 NYI. Cody Rosen G 5'11" 180 Clarkson University (ECAC)

186 TBL. Teigan Zahn D 6'1" 218 Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

187 CAR. Frederik Andersen G 6'4" 220 Frederikhavn (DEN)

188 SJS. Lee Moffie D 6'1" 200 U. Of Michigan (CCHA)

189 MIN. Dylen Mckinlay RW 5'11" 162 Chilliwack Bruins (WHL)

190 NYR. Randy Mcnaught RW 6'4" 222 Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

191 CHI. Macmillian Carruth G 6'2" 169 Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

192 ANA. Brett Perlini RW 6'2" 200 Michigan State (CCHA)

193 CGY. Patrick Holland RW 6'0" 167 Tri-City Americans (WHL)

194 NSH. David Elsner W 6'0" 185 Landshut Cann. (GER-2)

195 BOS. Maxim Chudinov D 5'11" 187 Cherepovts (RUS-KHL)

196 OTT. Bryce Aneloski D 6'2" 197 Cedar Rapids Roughriders (USHL)

197 COL. Luke Moffatt C 6'1" 187 USNTDP (USHL)

198 NSH. Joonas Rask C 5'11" 168 Ilves (FIN, SM-Liiga)

199 ATL. Peter Stoykewych D 6'2" 188 Winnipeg South Blues (MJHL)

200 SJS. Christopher Crane RW 6'0" 189 Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)

201 DET. Benjamin Marshall D 5'9" 160 Mahtomedi (HS-MN)

202 EDM. Kellen Jones F 5'9" 164 Vernon Vipers (BCHL)

203 BUF. Christain Isackson RW 6'0" 174 St. Thomas (HS-MN)

204 NJD. Mauro Jorg RW 6'0" 192 HC Lugano (SUI-NLA)

205 VAN. Sawyer Hannay D 6'4" 190 Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

206 PHI. Richard Blidtrand D 6'3" 202 AIK Stockholm JRS (SWE JRS)

207 MTL. John Westin LW 6'0" 210 MODO JRS (SWE JRS)

208 BUF. Riley Boychuk LW 6'4" 210 Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

209 PHI. Brendan Ranford LW 5'10" 182 Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

210 BOS. Zach Trotman D 6'3" 195 Lake Superior U. (CCHA)

2010 NHL Draft: 6th Round Selections

151 CHI. Mirko Hoefflin C 6'0" 174 Mannheim Jrs (GER JRS)

152 PIT. Joe Rogalski D 6'1" 195 Sarnia Stings (OHL)

153 FLA. Corey Durocher LW 6'2" 173 Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

154 CBJ. Dalton Prout D 6'3" 209 Barrie Colts (OHL)

155 ATL. Kendall Mcfaull D 6'2" 187 Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

156 TBL. Brendan O'Donnell C 6'0" 185 Winnipeg South Blues (MJHL)

157 NYR. Jesper Fasth RW 5'11" 165 HV 71 JRS (SWE-JRS)

158 LAK. Maxim Kitsyn LW 6'2" 194 Novokuzenetsyk (RUS-KHL)

159 MIN. Johan Gustaffson G 6'2" 202 Farjestad JRS (SWE-JRS)

160 ATL. Tanner Lane C 6'2" 172 Detroit Lakes (HS-MN)

161 ANA. Andreas Dahlstrom C/W 5'11" 176 AIK Stockholm (SWE-2)

162 EDM. Brandon Davidson D 6'1" 190 Regina Pats (WHL)

163 SJS. Konrad Abeltshauser D 6'5" 190 Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)

164 STL. Stephen Macaulay LW 6'1" 175 St. John Seadogs (QMJHL)

165 BOS. Zane Gothberg G 6'1" 177 Thief River Falls (HS-MN)

166 EDM. Drew Czerwonka LW 6'2" 189 Kootenay Ice (WHL)

167 CAR. Tyler Stahl D 6'1" 180 Chilliwack Bruins (WHL)

168 NSH. Anthony Bitetto D 6'1" 210 Indiana Ice (USHL)

169 ATL. Sebastian Owuya D 6'3" 194 Timira JRS (SWE-JRS)

170 PIT. Reid Mcneill D 6'3" 191 London Knights (OHL)

171 DET. Brooks Macek C 5'11" 180 Tri-City Americans (WHL)

172 VAN. Alex Friesen C 5'9" 186 Niagara Icedogs (OHL)

173 BUF. Cedrick Henley LW 6'5" 195 Val-dor Floures (QMJHL)

174 NJD. Maxime Clermont G 6'0" 190 Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)

175 VAN. Jonathan IIlahti G 6'0" 167 Espoo Blues JRS (FIN-JRS)

176 WSH. Samuel Carrier D 6'1" 186 Lewiston Maineiacs (QMJHL)

177 ANA. Kevin Lind D 6'3" 202 Chicago Steel (USHL)

178 OTT. Mark Stone RW 6'2" 188 Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

179 PHI. Nicholas Luukko D 6'2" 180 The Gunnery (HS-CT)

180 CHI. Nick Mattson D 6'1" 189 Indiana Ice (USHL)

2010 NHL Draft: 5th Round Selections

121 EDM. Tyler Bunz G 6'1" 196 Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

122 ANA. Christopher Wagner RW 6'0" 200 South Shore (EJHL)

123 FLA. Zach Hyman C 6'0" 182 Hamilton Red Wings (CCHL)

124 CBJ. Austin Madaisky D 6'2" 185 Kamloops Blazers (WHL)

125 NYI. Tony Dehart D 6'2" 187 Oshawa Generals (OHL)

126 NSH. Patrick Cehlin RW 5'11" 176 Drurgarden (SWE, SEL)

127 SJS. Cody Ferriero C 5'11" 190 Governors Academy (HS-MA)

128 ATL. Fedrik G 6'1" 169 Almtuna (SWE-2)
Petterson-Wentzel

129 SJS. Freedie Hamilton C 6'1" 187 Niagara Icedogs (OHL)

130 NYR. Jason Wilson LW 6'2" 205 Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

131 DAL. John Klingberg D 5'11" 158 Frolunda JRS (SWE-JRS)

132 ANA. Tim Heed D 5'11" 165 Sodertalje (SWE-SEL)

133 CGY. Michael Ferland LW 6'0" 195 Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)

134 STL. Cody Beach RW 6'5" 180 Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

135 BOS. Justin Florek LW 6'4" 194 Northern Michigan U. (CCHA)

136 SJS. Isaac Macleod D 6'4" 205 Pentiction Vees (BCHL)

137 COL. Troy Rutkowski D 6'2" 207 Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

138 PHX. Louis Domingue G 6'3" 180 Quebec City Ramparts (QMJHL)

139 COL. Luke Walker RW 6'1" 174 Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

140 PIT. Kenneth Agostino LW 5'11" 190 Delbarton (HS-NJ)

141 DET. Petr Mrazek G 6'0" 162 Ottawa 67s (OHL)

142 WSH. Caleb Herbet C 5'10" 180 Bloomington Jeff. (HS-MN)

143 BUF. Gregg Sutch RW 6'2" 193 Mississauga St. Micheals Majors (OHL)

144 TOR. Sam Carrick C 6'0" 188 Brampton Battalion (OHL)

145 VAN. Adam Polasek D 6'3" 190 PEI Rockets (QMJHL)

146 TOR. Daniel Brodin LW 6'1" 172 Djurgarden (SWE-SEL)

147 MTL. Brendan Gallagher RW 5'9" 163 Vancouver Giants (WHL)

148 LAK. Kevin Gravel D 6'4" 185 Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)

149 PHI. Michael Parks RW 5'11" 188 Cedar Rapids Roughriders (USHL)

150 ATL. Yasin Cisse RW 6'3" 210 Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)

2010 NHL Draft: 4th Round Selections

91 EDM. Jeremie Blain D 6'2" 190 Acadie-Bathurst Titans (QMJHL)

92 FLA. Sam Brittain G 6'3" 215 Canmore Eagles (AJHL)

93 FLA. Benjamin Gallacher D 5'11" 183 Camrose Kodiaks (AJHL)

94 CBJ. Brandon Archibald D 6'4" 200 Sault St. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

95 COL. Stephen Silas D 6'1" 183 Belleville Bulls (OHL)

96 TBL. Geoffrey Schemitsch D 6'1" 180 Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

97 BOS. Craig Cunningham LW 5'10" 180 Vancouver Giants (WHL)

98 BUF. Steven Shipley C 6'2" 205 Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

99 FLA. Joonas Donskoi RW 6'0" 180 Karpat Oulu JRS (FIN-JRS)

100 NYR. Andrew Yogan C/LW 6'3" 205 Erie Otters (OHL)

101 ATL. Ivan Telegin LW 6'2" 194 Saginaw Spirit (OHL)

102 CBJ. Mathieu G 6'6" 186 Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Corbeil-Theriault

103 CGY. John Ramage D 6'1" 184 U. of Wisconsin (WCHA)

104 STL. John Hakanpaa D 6'4" 211 K-Vantaa JRS. (FIN-JRS)

105 CAR. Justin Shugg LW 5'11" 184 Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

106 OTT. Markus Sorensen RW 5'11" 156 Sodertalje JRS (SWE-JRS)

107 COL. Sami Aittokallio G 6'1" 174 Ilves JRS (FIN-JRS)

108 CGY. Bill Arnold C 6'0" 218 USNTDP (USHL)

109 DAL. Alex Theriau D 6'2" 189 Everett Silvertips (WHL)

110 PIT. Tom Kuehnhackl RW 6'2" 172 Landshut Cann. (GER-2)

111 DET. Teemu Pulkkinen LW 5'11" 183 Jorkeit Helsinki (FIN-SM-Liiga)

112 WSH. Philipp Grubauer G 6'0" 180 Windsor Spitfifres (OHL)

113 MTL. Mark Macmillan F 6'0" 150 Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL)

114 NJD. Joe Faust D 5'11" 190 Bloomington-Jeff. (HS-MN)

115 VAN. Patrick Mcnally D 6'2" 180 Milton Academy (HS-MA)

116 TOR. Petter Granberg D 6'3" 200 Skelleftea JRS (SWE-JRS)

117 MTL. Morgan Ellis D 6'1" 197 Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)

118 TBL. James Mullin C/RW 5'10" 152 Shattuck St. Marys (HS-MN)

119 PHI. Tye Mcginn LW 6'2" 205 Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)

120 CHI. Rob Flick C 6'2" 205 Mississauga St. Micheals Majors (OHL)

2010 NHL Draft: 3rd Round Selections

Here's a look at the draft selections from Round 3 as I contuine to post the full rankings from the entire draft that wrapped up back on Saturday Evening.

61 EDM. Ryan Martindale C 6'3" 183 Ottawa 67s (OHL)

62 TOR. Greg Mckegg C 6'0" 191 Erie Otters (OHL)

63 TBL. Brock Beukeboom D 6'1" 202 Sault St. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

64 CGY. Maxwell Reinhart C 6'1" 180 Kootenay Ice (WHL)

65 NYI. Kirill Kabanov LW 6'2" 173 Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

66 TBL. Radko Gudas D 5'11" 192 Everett Silvertips (WHL)

67 CAR. Danny Biega D 6'0" 191 Harvard (ECAC)

68 BUF. Jerome D 6'1" 176 Rouyn-Nornda Huskies (QMJHL)
Gauthier-Led

69 FLA. Joe Basaraba RW 6'2" 190 Shattuck St. Marys (HS-MN)

70 LAK. Jordan Weal C 5'10" 162 Regina Pats (WHL)

71 COL. Michael Borunival LW 5'11" 179 Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)

72 TBL. Adam Janosik D 5'11" 170 Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)

73 CGY. Jody Leach D 6'3" 187 Kootenay Ice (WHL)

74 STL. Max Gardiner C 6'3" 176 Minnetonka (HS-MN)

75 BUF. Kevin Sundher C 6'0" 192 Chilliwack Bruins (WHL)

76 OTT. Jakub Culek LW 6'3" 185 Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

77 DAL. Alexander Guptill LW 6'3" 175 Orangeville Crushers (CCHL)

78 NSH. Taylor Aronson D 6'0" 196 Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

79 TOR. Sondore Olden W 6'3" 172 MODO JRS. (SWE-JRS)

80 PIT. Bryan Rust RW 6'0" 191 USNTDP (USHL)

81 DET. Louis-Mark Aubry C 6'3" 186 Montreal De Juniors (QMJHL)

82 NYI. Jason Clark C/LW 6'2" 180 Shattuck St. Marys (HS-MN)

83 BUF. Matt Mckenzie D 6'1" 191 Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

84 NJD. Scott Wedgewood G 6'1" 195 Plymouth Whalers (OHL)

85 CAR. Justin Levi D 6'3" 192 Plymouth Whalers (OHL)

86 WSH. Stanislav Galiev RW 6'1" 178 St. John Seadogs (QMJHL)

87 ATL. Julian Melchiori D 6'3" 186 Newmarket Hurricanes (CCHL)

88 SJS. Max Gaede RW 6'2" 187 Woodbury (HS-MN)

89 PHI. Michael Chapdt C 6'2" 194 Lewiston Maineiacs (QMJHL)

90 CHI. Joakim Nordstrom C 6'1" 160 AIK Stockholm JRS (SWE-JRS)

Sunday, June 27, 2010

2010 NHL Draft 2nd Round Selections

Here's a look at the results from the rest of the draft. To make it more org. because of the 6 rounds selected on Saturday. I'm going to have each round have it's own page to make it easier to read.

31 EDM. Tyler Pitlick C 6'2" 194 Minnesota State University (WCHA)

32 BOS. Jarred Knight C 5'11" 196 London Knights (OHL)

33 FLA. John Mcfarland LW 6'0" 192 Sudbury Wolves (OHL)

34 CBJ. Dalton Smith LW 6'2" 203 Ottawa 67s (OHL)

35 CHI. Ludvig Rensfeldt LW 6'3" 192 Brynas JR. (SWE JRS.)

36 FLA. Alexander Petrovic D 6'4" 193 Red Deer Rebels (WHL)

37 CAR. Justin Faulk D 6'0" 196 USNTDP (USHL)

38 NJD. Jonathan Merrill D 6'3" 198 USNTDP (USHL)

39 MIN. Brett Bulmer RW 6'2" 175 Kelowna Rockets (WHL)

40 NYR. Christian Thomas RW 5'9" 162 Oshawa Generals (OHL)

41 DAL. Patrick Nemeth D 6'3" 201 AIK Sthockholm Jrs. (SWE JRS.)

42 ANA. Devante Smith-Pelly RW 6'0" 211 Mississauga St. Micheals Majors (OHL)

43 TOR. Bradley Ross LW 6'0" 175 Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

44 STL. Sebastian Wannstrom RW 6'1" 180 Brynas Jrs. (SWE JRS)

45 BOS. Ryan Spooner C 5'10" 172 Peterborough Petes (OHL)

46 EDM. Martin Marincin D 6'4" 187 Slovakia U20 (SVK, Extraliga)

47 LAK. Tyler Toffoli C 6'0" 178 Ottawa 67s (OHL)

48 EDM. Curtis Hamilton LW 6'2" 209 Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

49 COL. Calvin Pickard G 6'1" 195 Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

50 FLA. Connor Brickley C 6'0" 190 Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)

51 DET. Calle Jarnkrok C 5'11" 196 Brynas (SWE, Elitsern)

52 PHX. Philip Lane RW 6'2" 194 Brampton Battalion (OHL)

53 CAR. Mark Alt D 6'3" 199 Cretin-Derham (HS-MINN)

54 CHI. Justin Holl D 6'2" 170 Minnetonka (HS-MINN)

55 CBJ. Petr Straka RW 6'1" 185 Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

56 MIN. Johan Larsson LW 5'10" 200 Brynas JRS. (SWE-Jrs)

57 PHX. Oscar Lindberg C 6'0" 187 Skelleftea JRS. (SWE-JRS)

58 CHI. Kent Simpson G 6'3" 182 Everett Silevertips (WHL)

59 MIN. Jason Zucker LW 5'11" 174 USNTDP (USHL)

60 CHI. Stephen Jones D 6'3" 215 USNTDP (USHL)

Puck Podcast: June 26 Episode

The Puck Podcast takes a look at what will probably be the busiest week of the off season with the NHL Draft which include insight and analysis from the Shows Prospect Expert Mike Murangi. Also the show takes a look at the NHL Awards Show and the announcement of the 2010 Hall of Fame Class which includes the first Woman Hockey Players in the Hall's History that helped Women's Hockey get into the Olympics.

Also a couple of huge trades that went down which includes action from the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks. All this plus Fan Email's, Power Plays including info on how the NHL Network and NHL Radio needing more info during the offseason and so much more.

Puck Podcast: www.puckpodcast.com

Puck Podcast June 26 Episode: www.puckpodcast.com/puck-podcast-june-26-2010/

Friday, June 25, 2010

My thoughts on the Stars selecting Jack Campbell

Under most circumstances tonight for the Dallas Stars, Jack Campbell would be considered a great pick looking for a strong goaltender in the near future. But when you have the top 2 defensemen in Cam Fowler and Brandon Gormley who were expected to go into the #5 slid to the middle of the first round draft, it should be a no brainier.

The Stars could have done 2 things tonight by picking either Fowler or Gormley; fill a much needed hole in defense and select the best player available, they did neither so my grade for tonight slips for the staff for the scouting staff and GM Joe Niewendyk. Instead, just after the Stars took Campbell, two of the Stars Pacific Division Rivals in the Phoenix Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks took both Gromley and Fowler. So instead of having one of the best young defensemen on his way to the NHL, we are going to have to compete against them for years to come in the Pacific Division.

Now, I do respect Campbell, he was a goalie on the USNTDP which is a very hard program to get into and this was considered to one of the deepest USNTDP Programs they have had in years with 3 players taken in the 1st Round and more to come in the later rounds throughout the day tomorrow. He's also won Gold Medals at both the U18 (Twice) and the World Junior Championship in Saskatchewan this past season. But the issue with goalies, regardless of how good or the style is the fact that they take the longest amount of time of any player to take and won't even sniff the NHL for sometime to come.

He's had a great two years with the USNTDP and he's expected to be great for the Windsor Spitfires as he's expected to compete with the starting job with Philipp Grubauer. Expect Grubauer to be the starter for the Spitfires, but I would expect Campbell to get his fair share of starts for the 2 time OHL & Memorial Cup Champions next season.

So in conclusion, Campbell is a strong pick to be in the net. But when you consider we could have filled a huge void and strengthen the defense which badly needed a boost tonight. The Stars could have done so much better tonight.

Let's see what the Stars do tomorrow as the team just has 3 picks tomorrow unless the Stars are able to work out some kind of trade, the big rumor right now is that Mike Riberio could be on the trading block. So be sure to check out what the Stars do tomorrow in terms of who they pick and to see if any trades are worked out tomorrow.

Stats and Info on Jack Campbell (This was the first year the USNTDP was in the USHL. Prior to this season, the National Team Program was in the NAHL.)

2008-2009 in the NAHL: 21 GP 14-6-1 2.52 GAA .906 SV%

2009-2010 in the USHL: 11 GP 6-3-1 2.21 GAA .917 SV%


What experts are saying about Campbell

AL Jensen of NHL Central Scouting: "He's got good size, doesn't beat himself up and his positioning is very good. He has good quickness and recovery, but he's not all over the place. He'll make the important saves.

Bob Mckenzie, TSN Hockey Insider: Campbell is, by all accounts, an incredible teammate with character and leadership and game-stealing capabilities, the trail scouts look for a franchise net-minder. It's said he's off the scale confident but not cocky and he works as hard in practice to shut out teammates as he does in a game and that he's a good oriented individual who will settle for nothing less then being a dominant goalie at the NHL Level.

From the Hockey's Future Website: Very good technique and exceptionally confident. Campbell is a big game goalie.

From Joe Exter, USNTDP Goaltending Coach: Jack has size, athleticism and is fundamentally sound. He's won on the big stage at both the World U18 Championships and World Junior Championships.

2010 NHL Draft 1st Round Order

Here's a look at the 1st Round Order of the NHL Draft which just wrapped up about 20 minutes. Rounds 2-7 will be taking place tomorrow from the Staples Center in LA.

The big stories tonight is the fall of the top 5 defensemen in Cam Fowler and Brandon Gormley who went 12 and 13 to the Anaheim Ducks and Phoenix Coyotes during the middle part of the 1st Round. Also the 2 highly touted California Kids went #20 and #29.

In this case though, it was the Canadian Junior A Kid from the British Columbia Hockey League Beau Bennett as he won the BCHL Scoring Title with an unbelievable 120 points during the regular season. As for Emerson Etem, this will be a dream if Etem turns out to be a star as the Anaheim Ducks take him at #29 as he's being looked like as the torch barrier for the rise of California kids in Hockey Development.

Finally for the Dallas Stars, they went with down the goalie route as Jack Campbell from the USNTDP with the #11 pick as a record 11 Americans were taken in the 1st Round. Of the 30 picks, 14 were from Canada, 11 from the USA and 5 Europeans which breaks down to 3 Russians, 1 from Finland and 1 from Switzerland in this year's first round.


1 EDM. Taylor Hall LW 6'1" 185 Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

2 BOS. Tyler Seguin C 6'1" 182 Plymouth Whalers (OHL)

3 FLA. Erik Gudbranson D 6'4" Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)

4 CBJ. Ryan Johansen C 6'2" 192 Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

5 NYI. Nino Niederreiter RW 6'2' 201 Portland Winterhawks (WHL)

6 TB. Brett Connolly RW 6'2" 181 Prince George Cougars (WHL)

7 CAR. Jeff Skinner C 5'10" 187 Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

8 ATL. Alexander Burmistrov C 5'11" 157 Barrie Colts (OHL)

9 MIN. Mikael Granlund C/W 5'10" 180 HIFK Helsinki (SM-Ligga, FIN)

10 NYR. Dylan Mcilrath D 6'4" 212 Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

11 DAL. Jack Campbell G 6'3' 175 USNTDP (USHL)

12 ANA. Cam Fowler D 6'1" 190 Windsor Spitfires (OHL)

13 PHX. Brandon Gromley D 6'2" 185 Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)

14 STL. Jaden Schwartz C 5'10" 180 Tri-City Storm (USHL)

15 LAK. Derek Forbort D 6'5" 198 USNTDP (USHL)

16 STL. Vladimir Tarasenko RW 5'11" Novosibirsk (KHL, RUS)

17 COL. Joey Hishon C 5'10" 170 Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

18 NSH. Austin Watson LW 6'3" 185 Peterborough Petes (OHL)

19 FLA. Nick Bjugstad C 6'4" 188 Blaine HS (HS-Minn)

20 PIT. Beau Bennett RW 6'1" 173 Pentiction Vees (BCHL)

21 DET. Riley Sheahan C 6'2" 202 U. of Norte Dame (CCHA)

22 MTL. Jarred Tinordi D 6'6" 205 USNTDP (USHL)

23 BUF. Mark Pysyk D 6'1" 174 Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

24 CHI. Kevin Hayes RW 6'2" 201 Nobles Academy (HS-Mass)

25 FLA. Quinton Howden C 6'2" 182 Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)

26 WSH. Evgeny Kuznetsov C 6'0" 172 Chelyabinsk (KHL, RUS)

27 PHX. Mark Visentin G 6'2" 187 Niagara Icedogs (OHL)

28 SJS. Charlie Coyle C/RW 6'2" 202 South Shore (EJHL)

29 ANA. Emerson Etem RW 6'0" 190 Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)

30 NYI. Brock Nelson C 6'3" 205 Warroad (HS-Minn)

NHL Draft Features on the Dallas Stars Website: It's a huge day for the Scouting Staff

This is one weekend of the year NHL Scouting Staff's work comes to light as this year's top prospects goes from hopeful to being in the system and the Scouting Staff takes you inside the work it goes to select which players the Stars will look at and will eventually get to play for the National Hockey League.

By John Tranchina of the Dallas Stars Website: http://stars.nhl.com

They don't get much recognition during the hockey season and much of the work comes from behind the scenes, but in the long run, they are crucial to any NHL's Club Success. They are amateur scouts, who spend most of the year watching and evaluating hundreds of players in dozens of leagues around the world in preparation for the one event they get to participate in - the NHL Entry Draft.

With this year's draft beginning with the first round on Friday Night (6PM on Versus) followed by rounds 2-7 on Saturday, the Dallas Stars, like every team, get the opportunity to re-stock their cupboard of prospects.

And in the era of the Salary Cap, not to mention the Stars' own even-more-stringent internal budget, the most direct and least costly way to add new elite level talent to your org. is to select and develop - your own talent through the NHL Talent.

For the Stars, making sure they make prudent decisions is even more important then usual because they own just four picks - an NHL low- after, including some in prior trades. Overall, the odds of players selected beyond the first round, and especially after the second, developing into full time NHL Players are pretty low. The usual role is that if you can come out of any given draft year with two guys who can have some sort of impact for your team down the road, it should be considered be a success - and that's assuming with seven selections. With only four, it makes it even tougher.

"It's a long process - you go through this whole thing we do all year trying to get two players." said Dallas director of amateur scouting Tim Bernhardt, who is usually the one that makes the announcement at the podium. "Actually, we'd like to get two, three or four, and sometimes you do. You try to get as many as you can, but it's a slow process. You have to have a lot of patience, that's for sure."

Part of the uncertainty is that the scouts are scrutinizing the play of 17-and-18 year olds and then trying to predict how they'll fill out physically and where their game evolve to four or five years down the road. Cleary, it's not a very exact science.

"We're trying to project what they're going to be like at 25 years old, yet they're just 17 years old players at the time." Longtime Stars scout Bob Gardner said. "There's some guesswork and projection. We just hope we're right a lot more then were wrong."

"It's a gut feeling on a player as far as where he can get to", Bernhardt added.

Each full time scout sees well over 100 games a season, primarily focusing on one specific geographic area, the Canadian province of Ontario or the state of Minnesota for instance. Then about midway through the year, the entire scouting staff meets and discusses the player they like, prioritizing guys they'd like to see more of and then setting up a cross-over schedule where scouts will travel to another one's domain to get multiple evaluations the higher-rated players. Ulitmately, they like to have four or five different scouts view the priority players so there is a good cross selection of opinions.

"We break our group up into where we have three or four scouts go and follow up on all those players we've ID. as priority players," noted Stars director of Scouting and Player Development Les Jackson, the man who oversees all scouting activities. "From that point, the area guys still stay in their area and they keep watching and evaluating as the season goes on."

"After Christmas, when you've evaluated and ID. everybody," said Dallas Scout Dennis Holland," you make sure you've made the right evaluation and that the kids are better in March then there were in January and better then they were in October. It's a process and that's why you need to go in and see them more then once. If there's somebody you like, you make sure you go in there and do your homework, see them play on the road as well as home. Talk to their coaches, see what kind of person he is off and on the ice and see if he's dedicated to working out and better himself."

When a scout looks at a player, he evaluates him in several different areas. First, he rates the player's individual skills - such as his skating or shooting ability, hockey sense (ability to read a developing play and react accordingly), physical prowess, and perhaps most importantly, character. Then he tries to determine how much the player can progress in the future, which, of course, is the great unknown in scouting.

"You take all the attributes, and you say, "This player has improvement potential," because that's really what you're judging," said Jackson. "Over the next four years, if this guy can improve in these areas, he has a chance to be a player. Your final answer, hopefully, is that he has the character and he's the type of person who wants to work. One of the things you're really watching is the players thinking process, how he reads the game, how he reacts to situations. That's important, because that's one thing you'd have a tough time training. You not only win by playing a team game, and if you don't get guys that fit your style, then chances are, you're not going to succeed."

Comparing players from vastly different levels of competition can be challenging, but it helps keeps the scouts focused on the players ind. attributes, not necessarily how many goals he can score.

"We're evaluating guys who may might be playing High School in Minnesota compared to somebody who might be playing in Russia (KHL)," Holland said. "At times, you've got to scratch your head and step back. You're evaluating in the future, your projecting in five years, 'How good will that player be?' You taking in skating, size, hockey sense, commitment and intensity - you've got to take all those things into considering and making your decision. It's funny how it all falls together after watching 175 hockey games in a season.

Of course, most players selected in the draft need several years of refinement before they are ready for the NHL. And depending on where they are coming from, there's already a clock ticking.

Those chosen from the top Canadian Junior Leagues (WHL, OHL, QMJHL), which typically account for over half of all players taken in the draft, have two years to sign a contract before the team's claim to that player's rights' expire. NCAA Players belong to a team until their college eligibility runs out, and that includes guys taken in lover level junior leagues like the USHL, NAHL or any of the Canadian Jr. A Leagues that go on to play College Hockey.

European players used to remain a team's assets indefinitely, but since the last CBA agreement was signed in 2005, they have two years to sign with the club that choose them - and that's resulted in significantly fewer Euros getting picked.

"Once you draft them, you really have to be patient and put them in situations where they can develop and learn," Jackson said. "They're kids and you've got to let them mature."

The season after a draft, the Stars keep tabs on players choose by other org.

"Although that's not our primary job, we will try and note the progress of players, because they might come up in a trade or something," Gernander said. "Some teams may not sign a player and if we like him, we might be interested."

Blooming prospect Aaron Gagnon, who lead the AHL Texas Stars in scoring this past season and played key roles in the march to the Calder Cup Finals, is a prime example of that scenario. He was initially selected by Phoenix in the 8th round (240th overall) in 2004, but they opted not to sign him and their rights to him expired, leaving him a free agent available with Dallas in February.

As time goes on and some players do and don't work out as NHL'ers, the scouting staff takes some time reflect back on where they were wrong and where they were right about certain guys.

"We've made some selections that haven't worked out, so I think we've had had every learning lesson there is," Jackson said. "We've drafted guys high who haven't worked out, we've drafted guys low who haven't worked out, we've drafted guys real high who have been real good and we've drafted guys low who worked out good, so we've got a wide range of good lessons to learn from.

The next chapter will be written for the scouting staff beginning Friday in Los Angeles, when the Stars picked 11th overall. They will be active early on Saturday. Heading back to the podium in the second round (41st), third (71st) and fifth round (131st). Of course, that is all assuming the Stars don't make trades, either for players or additional picks.

Either way, the proceedings this weekend will go a long long way, towards determine the org. success.

NHL Draft Features on the Dallas Stars Website: Draft Weekend is here

The NHL Draft begins tonight and their influences on current Dallas Stars as they got near their draft day.

From the Dallas Stars Website: http://stars.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=532699

The NHL Draft is different from the NBA & NFL in most of these 18 to 20 year olds will not have a chance to play for the team that drafts them for at least a few years. The NHL Drafts players younger and the kids will be put in the system as the various clubs in the NHL to watch them develop.

The NHL Club will provide guidance and support from afar until they are ready to contribute at a higher level. Therefore many of the players that will be drafted on June 25 and 26 will be unknowns to the fans of the NHL Teams that draft them. However they are quite a few interesting stories in this year's draft that Stars fans can watch for as the draft unfolds over the weekend.

Team USA won the Gold at the 2010 World Championships in both the U20 Division and repeated as champions in the Under 18 Division, because of the large crop of American players in the 2010 Draft Pool. In Central Scouting's Top 30 North American Skaters Rankings there are 10 Americans looking to be drafted to NHL Teams this weekend and in the top 30 North American Goaltenders there are 9 Americans eager to be picked.

One American born player with a lot of hockey history in his family is center Brock Nelson. His uncle, Dave Christian, was part of the Miracle on Ice Team that won the gold in 1980 in Lake Placid. His grandfather, Billy Christian, and great uncle Roger Christian, both played for Team USA at the 1960 Olympics as they won the first gold medal for the USA in Olympic Hockey. Nelson was born in Minneapolis and is projected as the 25th best skater in North America.

Jack Campbell had recent success on the world stage for Team USA. The number two North American Goaltender played significant time in both the 2009 and 2010 U18 World Championship and also the 2010 World Junior Championship winning team that defeated Canada in overtime to win the Gold Medal. Campbell was called from the bench to replace the starting goaltender in the 2nd period and was able to hold off the Canadians on their home ice to win the tournament.

A couple of the potential draftees have Stars ties in their family. Jarred Tinordi, son of former Star Mark Tinordi, is the 38th ranked skater. Mark Tinordi played 375 games between 1988 and 1994 for the Stars franchise and collected over 1,000 penalty minutes for the club. Jarred is set to play for the University of Norte Dame next season and will wear his father's old number, 24.

Nick Bjugstad, the 13th ranked North American Skater, is the nephew of former Star Scott Scott Bjugstad, who played for the North Stars between 1983-1988. Scott Collected 126 points (68G 58A) during his time with the Stars. Nick was awarded the Mr. Hockey Award (Best High School Player in Minnesota) this past season. Four of the last 5 Mr. Hockey Award Winners have been taken in the first round of the NHL Draft.

Many of the Draft Hopefuls last current Dallas Stars as their hockey idols. Defensemen Alexander Petrovic, the 29th ranked North American Prospect, lists the Dallas Stars as his favorite team with Mike Modano as his hockey idol. The American goaltender Jack Campbell list Marty Turco as his hockey idol. Brandon Gormley, the sixth ranked North American Prospect, lists Brad Richards as his hockey idol.

Gormley is from Murray River, Prince Edward Island, which is very close to Murray Harbor, where Brad Richards grew up. Prince Edward Island is a small territory in Canada and Richards is now the leading scorer from the territory with 639 points (192G 447A). Gromley is attending the same prep school that Richards did when he left PEI, Athol Murray College of Norte Dame, Saskatchewan.

Dallas Stars fans should also keep an eye on a couple prospects that grew up in the DFW Area and started learning the game at the various Dr. Pepper Starcenter's.

Ryan Daugherty and CJ Ludwig both played for the Omaha Lancers of the United States Hockey League last season. They are eligible to be drafted in the 2010 Draft this weekend and they are both are set to attend Northern Michigan University this fall. CJ is the son of Craig Ludwig. Craig, currently an analyst for Fox Sports, played 8 seasons for the Stars and helped Dallas win the Stanley Cup in 1999.

Tune in this weekend to find out where these prospects will go in the draft, along with the rest of the action as possible trades come to fruition very often does during the NHL Draft. The Dallas Stars will draft 11th overall in the first round on Friday, June 25 at 6PM (Central) on Versus and the second through seventh rounds will be on Saturday, June 26 at 12 Noon on the NHL Network.

Twitter Updates during 1st Round of NHL Draft

Be sure to look for Twitter Updates during the 1st Round of the NHL Draft as the Stars of Tomorrow have their fates known as these young players embark on NHL Dreams tonight. It's gets going at 7:00 PM EDT/6:00 PM CDT tonight from the Staples Center in LA on Versus and it's also available on XM/Sirius Satellite Radio on the NHL Network tonight.

Also look for the NHL Draft Page on the National Hockey League website as you can find pick-by-pick lists for the entire draft, individual teams and rounds. Draft Profiles and so much more tonight.

Look for my thoughts on the picks, especially when the Dallas Stars announce their pick at #11 and if they are other news from the Stars and if they are big shocks on who's going where this evening.

My Twitter Page: http://twitter.com/tanman9

NHL Draft: www.nhl.com/ice/eventhome.htm?location=/draft/2010&intcmpid=nhl-draft-mast


In case you forget if you don't know much about other hockey leagues. Here's a key to help you remember the different leagues


Western Hockey League (WHL)

Ontario Hockey League (OHL)

Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)

United States Hockey League (USHL)

European Nations (By nation, SWE, FIN, RUS ETC.)

Canadian Jr. A League (BCHL, AJHL, CCHL, ETC.)


Here's one last reminder of the NHL Central Scouting Rankings going into tonight.

North American Skaters: www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectbrowse.htm?cat=1&year=2010

European Skaters: www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectbrowse.htm?cat=2&year=2010

North American Goalies: www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectbrowse.htm?cat=3&ampyear=2010

European Goalies: www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectbrowse.htm?cat=4&year=2010

Icerays cutting Ticket Prices

With the Corpus Christi Icerays switching from Minor League to Junior and with fewer games on the schedule, the Corpus Christi Icerays have decided to cut ticket prices to accommodate the new league with a new logo, new marketing plan and to educate and introduce people to Junior Hockey on the Texas Coast.

Recently, the Corpus Christi Icerays announced their plans for tryouts and prospects camps from July 23-25 which will be at the Valley Ranch Starcenter in Irving.

The season is expected to start in late September and the Icerays will be in the South Division with the Texas Tornado, Wichita Falls Wildcats, Amarillo Bulls, New Mexico Scorpions and the Topeka Roadrunners who will be hosting the 2011 NAHL Robertson Cup Championship Tournament.

Hopefully this announcement can keep a lot of the fans that they had in the Central Hockey League and introduce some new fans who are looking forward to seeing the new league, and for many get introduced to Junior Hockey as well.

By Greg Rajan of the Corpus Christi Caller: www.caller.com

The Icerays move to a new league will be cheaper for fans. The Team, which will play in the North American Hockey League this fall, announced new ticket prices, with across-the-board reductions in all sections.

For example, the cost of last year's most expensive season tickets has been reduced from $800 to $600. The cheapest adult season ticket will cost $9.25 per game. The 2010-2011 home schedule will run 27 games, compared to 32 games in the Central Hockey League, the Icerays former home.

Obviously, (Prices) were reduced because of less games and we looked at the rest of the ticket prices in the league and the teams that are similar to us," said Icerays GM Patt Dunn. "We're adjusting to the rest of the league." We didn't want to be the most expensive, and were competitive with the teams like Wenatchee and Texas, who are the top teams in the league as far as attendance."

The 2010-2011 NAHL Season begins in Late September. The Icerays will play in the South Division with the Amarillo Bulls, New Mexico Scorpions, Texas Tornado, Topeka Roadrunners and the Wichita Falls Wildcats. Like Corpus Christi, Amarillo & New Mexico are former CHL Markets making the move to Junior Hockey.

Dunn said that any fan backlash about the move to junior hockey has "calmed down a lot". The team is having a town-hall meeting from 6 to 8 PM on Tuesday at the Rotunda at Selena Auditorium to discuss the transition.

"When I talk to people one-on-one and explain what (Junior Hockey) is, they get it," Dunn said. They're excited about it and our sponsors have been really good so far, knock on wood. We're pumped about it."

As far as icing a team, head coach Brent Hughes and assistant Justin Quenneville are on the scouting trail. The Icerays will be hosting a tryout camp from July 23-25 at the Dr. Pepper Starcenter in Irving and are trying to line up another camp in Phoenix during early August.