The essential Ranford celebration pose (Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars) |
Ranford had signed an AHL two-year deal midseason this year that would have kept him a Texas Star in 2014-15. This deal supersedes that one.
Aside from the excellent work on the part of Ranford himself to earn the contract, the deal also has a huge impact on the ability of Texas to attract solid talent. In the past year alone, players who have joined Texas on AHL-only deals have ended up with contracts in Dallas after showing their stuff in Cedar Park. Justin Dowling previously earned a two-year contract with Dallas as well after coming to Texas midseason last year on an AHL contract.
Here's the release:
The Texas Stars, proud American Hockey League affiliate of the Dallas Stars, announced today that Dallas has signed left wing Brendan Ranford to a three-year entry-level contract.
Ranford, 22, made his professional debut in 2013-14, registering 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) and a +10 plus-minus rating in 65 regular season contests with Texas. The native of Edmonton, Alberta ranked third on Texas with eight goals and 16 points (8-8=16), and posted a +7 rating in 21 postseason contests, helping Texas win the 2014 Calder Cup. Ranford's 16 points in the Calder Cup Playoffs led all AHL rookies.
Prior to joining Texas, Ranford spent five seasons with the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL), amassing 357 points (137-220=357) and 298 penalty minutes in 348 career regular-season games. The winger currently ranks first on Kamloops’ all-time franchise leaderboard in games played (348), sixth in assists (220) and points (357), and seventh in goals (137).
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound winger was originally drafted by Philadelphia in the seventh round (209th overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft.
Well deserved Very happy for him.
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