Dallas Calls Morin, Gagnon; Returns Wathier

After injuries last night to Jamie Benn and Tom Wandell, Dallas needs backups. Texas forwards Aaron Gagnon and Travis Morin have been called up to Dallas. Morin is expected to make his NHL debut tomorrow in Edmonton.

Meanwhile, Dallas has returned Francis Wathier. Texas is back in action on Friday in Oklahoma City.

Here's the release:

The Dallas Stars announced on Tuesday that the team has recalled centers Travis Morin and Aaron Gagnon from the Texas Stars, Dallas' primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). The team also announced that left wing Francis Wathier has been assigned to the Texas Stars.

Gagnon, 24, has appeared in eight games for Dallas this season, recording two assists, including his first NHL point (Dec. 6 at Columbus). The 5-11, 186-pound center has spent the majority of this season with Texas, skating in 33 games and collecting 16 points (9g, 7a). Gagnon led the Texas Stars in scoring in 2009-10 with 58 points (27g, 31a). The Quesnel, British Columbia, native was signed by Dallas as a free agent on Feb. 2, 2007.

Morin, 27, has recorded 32 points (13g, 19a) in 45 games this season for Texas. The 6-2, 195-pound center played 80 games last season for Texas, finishing second on the team in scoring with 52 points (21g, 31a). Morin was signed as a free agent on July 12, 2010 and was originally selected in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft (ninth round, 263rd overall) by the Washington Capitals.

Morin is Texas’ all-time leading scorer with 50 assists and 84 points in 125 games. He is one of two players to suit up for every game in team history.

Wathier, a 6-4, 208-pound forward from St. Isidore, Ontario, has appeared in one game this season for Dallas on Jan. 21 against Calgary. Wathier, 26, has played in 42 games for Texas so far this season and has recorded 22 points (12g, 10a). In 2009-10, he recorded 40 points (19g, 21a) and 101 penalty minutes in 76 games with Texas. Selected by Dallas in the sixth round (185th overall) at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Wathier made his NHL debut last season with Dallas, appearing in five games and recording five penalty minutes.