Fansided

What is a prospect tournament and why are the Dallas Stars in one?

By Brian Sweet |
WINDSOR, ONTARIO - FEBRUARY 20: Forward Antonio Stranges #40 of the London Knights skates prior to a game against the Windsor Spitfires at WFCU Centre on February 20, 2020 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)
WINDSOR, ONTARIO - FEBRUARY 20: Forward Antonio Stranges #40 of the London Knights skates prior to a game against the Windsor Spitfires at WFCU Centre on February 20, 2020 in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Dennis Pajot/Getty Images)

We have finally made it, Tonight is the night Stars fans will get to see some Dallas Stars hockey. Unfortunately, the game will not be in the state of Texas. The reason is it will be up in Traverse City, Michigan at the yearly prospect tournament that the Detroit Red Wings hold every year.

The Wings were gracious enough to invite the Stars back up for their yearly prospect tournament once again this season. For those who don’t know about a prospect tournament, let me explain what it is to you.

Dallas Stars Prospect Tournament: What is a prospect tournament?

For those unfamiliar with what this is, it basically is like a mini summer league for hockey. think of the NBA Las Vegas Summer League but only for four days. It’s a chance for teams to send up some of their top prospects to see if they are ready to come over from Europe or junior hockey in Canada to the AHL or NHL. These prospects are going to give it their all because it could be their one chance to show the team that drafted them they are ready for a promotion.

Dallas Stars Prospect Tournament: Who will be coaching?

I don’t think Pete DeBoer is going to be caught dead coaching a bunch of prospects for four days up in northern Michigan. More than likely, you will see one of DeBoer’s top assistant coaches and Ben Bishop coach the team up there. This will allow Bishop to see who has improved over last season and to keep an eye on at training camp.

Dallas Stars Prospect Tournament: Why is it fun to watch?

It’s fun to watch because hockey fans get a first glimpse at their favorite franchise’s future. I think a lot of Stars’ fans will be tuning in to see if Mavrik Bourque and Logan Stankoven have a battle to see who has the better stat line at the prospect tournament. The other reason is because it’s hockey. it’s fun regardless of what team you watch. It’s like the end of the long NHL offseason in a sort of way.

Dallas Stars Prospect Tournament: Stars Schedule

The Stars will be playing three games up in Traverse City starting tonight against the Red Wings at 5:30 CT. They will then play again on Friday night at 5:30 CT against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The final game will be an early one on Sunday morning against the Coloumbus Blue Jackets at 10:00 AM CT. I will post the streaming links for all of the games on both the Blackout Dallas FaceBook and Twitter Pages. Let’s have some fun watching some Texas Hockey this weekend.

Home / Dallas Stars News