Texas Stars Add Two Rookies on Day 1 of Free Agency

Zack Kamrass (Credit: Idaho Steelheads)

It's not a ground shaking move, but it's something. The Texas Stars have announced this morning that they have signed two players to AHL contracts for the coming season. Both are rookies coming out of the collegiate ranks.

Defenseman Zack Kamrass, who played six games at the end of the season with Idaho, is the first player. He played four years at Massachusetts-Lowell, tallying 13-51=64 in 147 career games. However, in just six games with Idaho, he tacked on 2-3=5. The former USHLer is a Georgia native, interestingly.

Forward Cam Braes is a player in the Derek Hulak mold. He played a full WHL career and then joined the college circuit. During his time with Lethbridge, he actually played with Colton Sceviour if you want perspective on his age.

You'd expect both of them to play most of their games in Idaho.

Here's the release:

The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Dallas Stars, announced today the team has signed rookie forward Cam Braes and rookie defenseman Zack Kamrass to AHL contracts for the upcoming 2015-16 season.

Kamrass (KAM-rihs), 24, joins the Stars after completing a four-year college career at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. The 5-foot-11, 189-pound defenseman appeared in 147 career games for Lowell and recorded 64 points (13 goals, 51 assists). After his final collegiate season ended, he made his professional debut competing in six games for the ECHL's Idaho Steelheads, tallying five points on two goals and three assists. The Atlanta, Ga., native appeared in six playoff games for Idaho. Kamrass also skated two years for the Sioux Fall Stampede of the United States Hockey League from 2009-11. He recorded 39 points (six goals, 33 assists) in 110 contests.

Braes (BRAYZ), 24, begins his pro career with Texas after completing a three-year stretch at the University of New Brunswick. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound forward tallied 69 points (26 goals, 43 assists) in 82 career games for the Varsity Reds from 2012-15. The Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia, native also competed in 350 career games over five seasons in the Western Hockey League between the Lethbridge Hurricanes and Moose Jaw Warriors. He notched 239 points (116 goals, 123 assists) over his WHL career. In 2010-11, Braes scored a career-high 61 points in 71 games for Lethbridge on 31 goals and 30 assists.