Texas Stars Add D Dillon Heatherington as Return in Korpikoski Trade

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

The Texas Stars added another piece today in the final minutes of the trade deadline. Sending Lauri Korpikoski to Columbus yielded Dillon Heatherington, a second-year pro defenseman who won the Cup last season with Lake Erie. He will be assigned to Texas and will likely join the team in time for Saturday's game.

Here's the release:

Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has acquired defenseman Dillon Heatherington from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for left wing Lauri Korpikoski.

Heatherington, 21, has produced six points (1-5=6) in 38 games played for Cleveland of the American Hockey League (AHL) this season. Last season was his first full professional campaign and he helped Lake Erie to the Calder Cup championship, appearing in 15 playoff contests and recording three assists (0-3=3). In total, he has appeared in 104 career AHL regular season games and has posted 26 points (4-22=26). He will report to Texas, Dallas' top development affiliate in the AHL.

The 6-foot-4, 215-pound native of Calgary, Alberta was originally selected by Columbus in the second round (50th overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.

Korpikoski, 30, recorded 20 points (8-12=20) in 60 games played for the Stars this season. The 6-foot-1, 195-pound native of Turku, Finland was signed as a free agent by Dallas on Oct. 10, 2016.