Neal Sent Back to Idaho

Just a quick note today that Michael Neal was returned to Idaho today by Texas. The Stars called up Neal when Francis Wathier was called to Dallas this past Monday. Wathier was returned Tuesday, thus eliminating the need for another forward in Austin. Neal did not play in the Stars' game against Charlotte Wednesday. Texas is in action again on Saturday.

Here's the release:

The Texas Stars announced on Friday that forward Michael Neal has been assigned to the Idaho Steelheads, Texas’ primary affiliate in the ECHL.

Neal was recalled on Monday, but did not see action with the Stars on his recent stint. He is in his third season within the Dallas Stars organization. The Whitby, ON, native has played 22 games with Texas over the previous two seasons. During his time in Texas, the forward has three goals and 14 penalty minutes. The 22-year-old played in 19 games with Idaho this season, totaling three goals and seven points. For his career, Neal has played in 144 pro games with Idaho and Texas, scoring 17 times and totaling 40 points. He was drafted by the Dallas Stars in the fifth round (#149 overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.