Texas Adds D Jesse Blacker and F Cory Kane

Left: Jesse Blacker (Credit: San Antonio Rampage)
Right: Cory Kane (Credit: Providence Bruins)

The Texas Stars confirmed the earlier reported signings of Greg Rallo, Matt Mangene and Derek Hulak and further announced the addition of defenseman Jesse Blacker and forward Cory Kane.

Blacker has 235 games of AHL experience, mostly in Toronto and Norfolk. Midseason last year, he was traded to Florida and was assigned to San Antonio. He played 40 games in the Alamo City and looks to be a solid AHL defenseman for Texas. Blacker even played a single game with the Ducks in 2014-15, to date his only NHL game.

Blacker's 235 games makes him look like the veteran player that the Stars have been looking for. It is an interesting pickup because Blacker has been on NHL contracts to this point in his career. Jim Nill has said that the Dallas Stars would only be active in free agency post-July 1 to supplement the Texas roster but have still yet to make any moves to do so.

Kane spent most of the season with the Providence Bruins as a rookie last season. In 55 games, he potted 7-12=19. He was assigned to South Carolina for a short six games during the season, scoring 2-2=4. Kane seems like a player who could help round out the forward group and act as a tweener with Idaho.