Dallas has some hidden potential in their developmental leagues. With a little more time, several Texas Stars players could make a big impact on the NHL ice.
The Dallas Stars organization is branch of teams that reach into three different leagues: the NHL, AHL and ECHL. Dallas uses developmental leagues such as the AHL and ECHL, and have the ability to recall players when need be.
I traveled to Cedar Park to watch Dallas’ AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars, on Saturday to watch them take the Chicago Wolves. Despite their 4-1 loss, I got to observe a few promising NHL prospects.
During my visit, I focused on a few familiar faces to the Dallas Stars like Jason Dickinson, Gemel Smith, Justin Dowling and Julius Honka, as well a couple new faces.
Nick Ebert, a defenseman, and Justin Peters, a goalie recently traded from Arizona, sparked a pretty good amount of interest.
On the offensive end, Dickinson, Smith and Dowling stood out, proving that their time in the NHL resonates in their memory.
Dickinson’s NHL career is currently a total of three games, but he has a promising future ahead of him. In his debut with Dallas, he scored his first NHL goal against the Colorado Avalanche. He signed his entry-level contract with Dallas in 2014.
Dallas Stars
Smith has played twelve games with Dallas early in the 2016-2017. He could benefit from a little more time in Cedar Park.
Dowling moved from the ECHL, to the AHL, to the NHL (and then back to the AHL again). His career began with the Swift Current Broncos in 2006. Dowling moved through the leagues, eventually making his NHL debut in October 2016.
On the defensive end, Honka and Ebert proved that they’d able to help Dallas in an area that could use a little improvement.
Honka did not play Saturday due to an injury, but his recent contributions to Dallas are a testament to his potential. He tallied 24 points in 57 international games for Finland during his junior career. Honka made his AHL debut in 2014, eventually finishing sixth among defenseman in 2015-2016. He played in a total of ten NHL games from November 2016 to February 2017.
Ebert joined the Stars in 2016 after being traded from the Ontario Reign, the AHL affiliate of the LA Kings. He is as valuable on defense as he is on offense. Ebert has integrated his skills on both ends of the ice, which has benefited the Texas Stars this season.
With a little more exposure, Ebert could make a great addition to the Dallas’ defensive pairs. Hopefully Dallas will take a chance in the future and allow Ebert to make his NHL debut, my guess is that he would not disappoint.
Justin Peters was recently traded from Arizona, along with Justin Hache. Peters has played in three NHL games with the Arizona Coyotes, and has to make some impressive saves. With more practice with NHL-caliber shooters, Peters can offer Dallas some much-needed help in the near future.
Here’s a little extra commentary.
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Hope became common theme for the Stars in recent weeks. Their odds of making the playoffs are rather discouraging, but with the awful hand Dallas was dealt this year, they’ve got to receive some credit.
The transitional part of the 2016-2017 season is upon us, so as trading ensues, Dallas will have a chance to reevaluate their roster.
My trip to Cedar Park was worthwhile. With a little more time and practice, the Texas Stars definitely have something to offer to Dallas. It was nice see the amount of work that goes into making it to the NHL. Hats off to those boys.