Stars Reassign Neal, Sign First ATO Embach

The Stars announced today that they have sent Michael Neal to Idaho. Neal was up with injuries and callups forcing the Stars to grab another player in reserve.

Additionally, the Stars signed their first ATO following Clear Day. Mike Embach joins Greg Rallo and Cody Chupp as Stars forwards from Ferris State University. Finally, Brandon Segal has been recalled to Dallas and is currently on re-entry waivers. I will update here when he clears.

Full press release below:

The Texas Stars announced on Wednesday that the club has assigned forward Michael Neal to the Idaho Steelheads, Texas’ ECHL affiliate. The team also announced it has signed Mike Embach to an ATO (amateur tryout agreement).

Neal is in his second pro season after spending the bulk of his rookie season with Idaho. Neal has played in 16 games for Texas this year, scoring three goals and totaling 12 penalty minutes. This season, the Whitby, ON native has played in 37 games for the Steelheads, scoring six goals and totaling 13 points. Last season, Neal played in 57 games for the Steelheads, posting 15 points on five goals and ten assists. The 21-year old also skated in six games for the Texas Stars without registering a point. Neal was drafted in the fifth round (#149 overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and he is the younger brother of Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal.

Embach turns pro after a four-year career at Ferris State University from 2007-2011. The 22-year old forward scored eight goals and totaled 18 points in 39 games with the Bulldogs. As a junior, Embach set collegiate highs with nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points in 34 games played. Over his CCHA career, 5-foot-10, 190-pounder scored 27 times and set up 31 others for a total of 58 points in 132 games. The Orland Park, IL native played with current Texas Stars forward Cody Chupp at FSU from 2007-10. Stars right wing Greg Rallo attended Ferris State University from 2002-06.