One thing I can say about the Dallas Stars is when they want to reload on a certain position of prospects, they do. Over the last couple of years, the Stars have reloaded on defensive prospects during the draft. I don’t see anything wrong with it because you can never have enough defensive prospects in an organization. It’s just like the famous quote says, “defense wins championships”. Let’s take a look at the top five defensive prospects going into training camp this season.
Dallas Stars Top Five Defensive Prospects: 1. Lian Bischel
Let me introduce you to “Big Rig 2.0”, Lian Bischel. This guy will check anyone in his way in order to get to the puck and get it out of the zone. Right now he is working on his offensive game and its the one thing holding him back from getting on the Stars’ main roster. He’s got the checking and defensive game down. A year or two in Cedar Park with Texas Stars Head Coach Neil Graham should unlock his offensive game. I cant wait to see how he does down in Cedar Park next season.
4-0 for Switzerland now in the second. Lian Bischel scored the 3-0 goal early in the second and Louis Robin gets the fourth. #U18Worlds pic.twitter.com/P9rlskmHRS
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) April 27, 2021
Dallas Stars Top Five Defensive Prospects: 2. Christian Kyrou
Christian Kyrou is another top defensive prospect that is on fire right now in the Stars’ prospect system. He is probably the best offensive defenseman that we currently have. He finished with 20 goals and 57 assists last year between the Erie Otters and the Sarnia Sting. Just like Lian Bischel, he is probably another year away from joining the Stars in Dallas. Cedar Park might be getting another talented defensive prospect next season.
What a weekend it was for Christian Kyrou. 2 Goals, 4 Assists & goes +6 vs London & Windsor.
— @StingUpdates (@StingUpdates) March 5, 2023
Up to 10 goals & 21 Assists in 29 games for the #Sting. 18 Goals, & 49 Assists on the season
Utterly ridiculous assist on Voit's goal. Has such elite vision. #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/43jeHJRAud
Dallas Stars Top Five Defensive Prospects: 3. Artyom Grushnikov
Grushnikov is one of those prospects looking to make a name for himself at training camp this season. He’s another prospect that needs to work on the offense but he’s got that defensive game down pat. He finished with a +17 with eight goals and nine assists last year with the Brantford Bulldogs. If he can find his offensive game and maintain that +17 from last season. The Stars have struck gold on another good defensive player in the NHL Draft.
Dallas 2021 2nd-rounder Artyom Grushnikov doesn't score many points, but man is he good at defending. His ability to close gaps is top-notch (#2 in white)
— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) July 20, 2022
I have a strong appreciation for modern shutdown defensemen. It's so much harder to do than it looks, especially in the pros pic.twitter.com/EpEQGE5CGg
Dallas Stars Top Five Defensive Prospects 4. George Fegaras
Fegaras is another defensive prospect that has quietly risen through the defensive prospects to the top. The Stars drafted in the third round as a possible project and he’s proving to be more than a project. He finished with four goals and 23 assists last season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks. If you listen to the interivew down below, he’s the type of player that you want on your team.
I think he will go back to the Muskegon Lumberjacks again next season to continue working on his craft. Keep an eye on him as he could be one of those surprise prospects at training camp in a couple of years.
Lumberjacks Defenseman, George Fegaras, talks about his time in Muskegon and the impact that it has had on his development. @GFegaras #chopchop #getjackd pic.twitter.com/kgySoBHuKF
— Muskegon Lumberjacks (@MuskegonJacks) April 3, 2023
Dallas Stars Top Five Defensive Prospects 5. Gavin White
Gavin White did not take long to make an impression on the front office as he already signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Stars in March. He scored 12 goals and 29 assists last season between the Peterborough Petes and the Brantford Bulldogs.
White and Grushnikov were line partners last season and could be once both get up to Dallas in the future. Could White possibly make the Texas Stars this upcoming season? Absolutely he could if he has another terrific training camp and prospect tournament.
With the 115th pick, the @DallasStars select Gavin White
— Dylan Krill (@dylan_krill) July 8, 2022
A two-way D who is effective in transition and can move the puck well
Best assets: very good skating, very good shot, very good hockey IQ
Potential: Bottom-Pair#2022NHLDraft #OHL pic.twitter.com/q9PdXIyeG7