Texas Stars forward Denis Gurianov is feeling good at the right time, and now the Dallas Stars first-rounder is showing his world-class skill.
CEDAR PARK, Texas – Texas Stars captain Curtis McKenzie is out for three to four weeks. Jason Dickinson, Remi Elie, and Gemel Smith are playing for the Dallas Stars. Texas is currently battling for a postseason spot in a stacked division.
They clearly need someone to step up. That someone, a very special someone, is former 12th overall selection Denis Gurianov. When his confidence is riding high, Gurianov can shine under the bright lights of HEB Center at Cedar Park.
It’s safe to say on Saturday, Gurianov was feeling as confident as ever. The Russian tallied his first career hat trick, with all three goals coming in the third period, to help Texas knock off rivals San Antonio in a 5-1 decision.
“Every game I feel a little bit better,” Gurianov said after the win. “I feel great. We won a game and I scored three goals, and my teammates did a really good job.”
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As part of a four-goal third period explosion, Gurianov and Texas cemented their spot – at least for now – in second place in the American Hockey League’s Pacific Division. This comes at the tail end of the weekend set with the Rampage that begun with a 4-2 loss on Friday in the Alamo City.
Gurianov seems to play with a certain edge that comes with added faith in his game. His poise is there, always giving 100%, but his confidence on the ice is what assists the Stars the most.
“He’s really coming along here,” Texas head coach Derek Laxdal said. “He’s starting to string two or three shifts together, then two or three games together, now he’s scoring some goals and gaining some confidence.
“Obviously he’s got a great release…some guys need to step up and it’s good to see Denis get rewarded. With McKenzie hurt, Dickinson in the NHL…you need guys to step up.”
Gurianov’s assertiveness, his willingness to drive to the net, and his complete gameplay style have taken humongous strides throughout this recent stretch of play. He’s two goals away and seven points out from his career highs set last season.
"“Very strong on his skates and uses his size to protect the puck well. Drives the net hard and knows where he will shoot before he is even in a position to do so. Possesses a heavy and accurate release on his shot, which he likes to get off near the faceoff dots; if he can’t shoot from there, he will either dangle or bull his way through to the blue paint.”– Elite Prospects"
He has all the tools to succeed at the National Hockey League level as a future Dallas Stars forward, but what goes on in his head is the only question. Seeing the former World Junior bronze medalist put it all together is a wonderful sight for all.
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“He can score in all sorts of ways, and it’s good to see him using his speed,” Laxdal continued. “You’re starting to see those glimpses he had last year more consistently, he’s starting to take another step.”
Gurianov has gone from a healthy scratch earlier this season to one of the most important players on the roster, especially in the absence of McKenzie (lower-body injury).
“He’s only 20 years old, let’s remember that,” said Laxdal. “Part of his development is finding the confidence and the belief in his game, and stringing shifts together, periods together, and now he’s starting to string some games together.”
“It’s nice,” Gurianov, with his surprisingly impressive English, said. “I told guys on the bench that I will look for a hat trick, for sure.”
Gurianov is playing with an infectious sense of seemingly newfound confidence. His play as taken leaps and bounds with the Texas Stars over the course of this season, and with 30 games remaining for the Dallas Stars’ AHL affiliate, Denis will continue his run of great hockey.
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If he plays anything like he did in Saturday’s win, I’d look for Gurianov to slip on a Dallas Stars jersey soon enough. The third-ranked Stars prospect in the McKeen’s Hockey system is showing why, thanks to his confidence, he was taken so high in the Draft after all.