Calder Run Sets Up Dallas Stars for Future Success

Lites: "Nothing teaches winning like winning."
Win all the trophies. (Credit: Michael Connell/Texas Stars)
While there isn't a clear one-to-one relationship between Calder Cup and Stanley Cups, the Dallas Stars are definitely excited about what this season's championship means for the future of the entire organization.

"I appreciate what this means," said Dallas Stars president Jim Lites. "I know what this means to have a great American Hockey League arrangement like Dallas has in Cedar Park. It's a testament to drafting and development."

The value of the post-season run is huge in the eyes of the Dallas Stars.

"Jim Nill and I believe that by playing twenty games with six in overtime, every faceoff matters. The pressure is on every player to have a great shift. It pushes your development forward at least half a season."

Lites continued, highlighting the play of Radek Faksa.

"If we hadn't made the playoffs, we wouldn't know what we had in Faksa. It's not like Willie [Desjardins] is an easy guy to come in and get a spot with. He wants to win every minute. To know Faksa comes in and gets major time, tells us he is pretty close to playing in our league. You learn that about guys that are tested here."

Jim Lites (Credit: Michael Connell/Texas Stars)
Lites reiterated that the Dallas organization believes at least eight players on this year's team will play in the NHL and several "at really significant levels".

The next piece is reloading for the coming season. With so many Texas Stars having success this season, their stock has risen. From Coach Willie Desjardins leaving for the Canucks to top forwards Dustin Jeffrey and Chris Mueller parlaying their success into contracts elsewhere, it is a growing process. That does not even include the prospects of many younger Texas players heading up to join the Dallas club in the NHL. How many of the big pieces from this year's squad will remain in place next season?

However, when asked about the future of the club, Lites is blunt and direct. He knows the value of the team being successful and states it outright.

"Tom Gaglardi and Jim Nill will not let this team not be great. Nothing teaches winning like winning. We can't wait for next season."

Comments