Branden Troock Named Lone Star Grille/100 Degree Hockey Player of the Week

Branden Troock celebrates a goal with Gemel Smith.
(Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars)
Every Thursday, 100 Degree Hockey will name the Lone Star Grille/100 Degree Hockey Player of the Week. Lone Star Grille features classic comfort food and Southern dishes less than five minutes from the Cedar Park Center. If you mention the Player of the Week or 100 Degree Hockey on your next visit to Lone Star Grille, your server will take $5 off your order of any two entrees.

Rookie Branden Troock has had quite a week. Quietly, Troock has been one of the best players on the Stars' squad. This week, he potted two goals and an assist, including the game winner in Tuesday's 4-3 win over Iowa. He's been defensively responsible, going plus-3 on the week, one for each point.

He's found a quick chemistry with Devin Shore, who also garnered strong consideration for the Player of the Week honor. Shore and Troock were roommates at the past three Dallas Stars development camps and seem to have carried that connection with them onto the ice.

Troock began the year as a fourth liner and even spent some time in the ECHL in early November. Since then, he's found a groove and parlayed that into solid third line time. There is a lot to like in his game. He's a big physical winger, but he clearly also has a knack for scoring goals when called upon. Going out on a limb, I could see him acting as a net front guy next year for the Stars' power play.

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