Dallas Stars From Another Time: Update on Former Players
Ever wonder what some of the many Dallas Stars from the late 2000’s are up to now? Catch up with a couple of them below!
The Dallas Stars have had their fair share of players over the course of the last six or so seasons. Considering the entire personnel of the team has changed since the 2008-09 season, it’s no wonder there are a lot of familiar former Dallas Stars in the league.
It’s not difficult to keep up with the names and faces that are still in the league, but a number of players from seasons in the late 2000s have found lives outside of the NHL. That makes them significantly more difficult for fans to keep up with.
Fabian Brunnstrom
The undrafted Fabian Brunnstrom came into the league hot. He scored a hat trick in his NHL debut back in 2008, making him only the third player in league history to do so. That kind of a performance made him a player to watch, but unfortunately his play didn’t keep the momentum going.
After playing a combined total of 99 games for the Stars from 2008-2010, Brunnstrom found himself in the AHL. Not being an NHL regular seemed to take a toll on the young forward and former No. 96 was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs in January 2011.
He played for their AHL affiliate until the end of the season and then signed a professional tryout contract with the Detroit Red Wings for fall 2011. He earned a spot on their roster and signed a two-way contract; however, he played only five games for the Wings before being placed on waivers at the end of October.
Brunnstrom then moved on from his time in the NHL and signed with Frolunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League. After a season with them he played for the Leksands IF of the SHL during the 2013-14 season.
The now 31-year-old played a short stint with the Malmo Redhawks of the SHL before taking the 2015-16 season off. This past summer he signed a new deal with the Redhawks where he will play the upcoming season.
Toby Petersen
Toby Petersen came to Dallas in 2007 and played for the Stars for the better part of five seasons. Former No. 17 was an AHL All Star in 2008 where he had an exciting performance. Petersen scored three points in the game itself and solidified his name as the fastest skater in the skills competition.
He never played a full season in the NHL, even during his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers. Still, he had an important depth role with the Stars for a few years, participating in Dallas’ 16 postseason games in their long 2008 Stanley Cup Playoff run.
From there he alternated between the NHL and AHL affiliate Texas Stars in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons, scoring 24 points in 74 games during his first year.
At the end of the 2013-14 season the Texas Stars had clenched the franchise’s first Calder Cup Championship, which Petersen contributed to. Almost immediately after the championship Petersen announced his retirement from professional hockey.
In July 2014 Petersen was hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets as an assistant coach for their AHL affiliate Springfield Falcons. He was the youngest coach in the league at 36.
After the 2014-15 season Petersen left the Springfield Falcons, who were bought by the Arizona Coyotes and relocated to Arizona. For the upcoming 2015-16 season Petersen will serve as an assistant coach for the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL.
Final Thoughts
Fabian Brunnstrom and Toby Petersen are just two Dallas Stars alum that have moved on to different ventures within in the hockey world. Their time with the team may have been short, but their work and dedication is still appreciated regardless.
Next: Remembering Karlis Skrastins and Lokomotiv
Who is your favorite former Dallas Star? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.