Greg Rallo Returns to Texas Stars for Third Stint

Greg Rallo in 2015 (Credit: Christina Shapiro/Texas Stars)

The Texas Stars announced this morning that they have signed forward Greg Rallo to an AHL contract. It will be the third stint with the Texas Stars for the American-born forward, who was part of the inaugural squad in 2009. Over four seasons with Texas, Rallo accumulated a number of franchise records, placing him behind only Travis Morin in power play goals, third in total goals, fourth in points and seventh in games played.

Rallo went overseas last season, playing with the Iserlohn Roosters in the German league, DEL. He had 25 points in 45 games, missing some time due to injury.

Rallo's return gives Texas another solid veteran in the forward ranks, already bolstered by the constant presence of Travis Morin. Interestingly, the Stars could have a veteran rule issue with the addition of Rallo. The AHL is primarily a development league and limits the number of veteran players who can be dressed in each game. The rules allow for 5 players with more than 320 games of professional experience and one 'tweener' who has between 260 and 320 games. Goalies are exempt. Texas has currently Travis Morin, Greg Rallo, Andrew Bodnarchuk, and Brent Regner north of 320 games. Mark McNeill, Justin Dowling, and Ludwig Bystrom are all between 260 and 320 (counting Bystrom's time in the SHL, which qualifies). This means someone from that group will need to be scratched regularly. The last time Texas had this issue was late in the 2013-14 season. Francis Wathier, a veteran, was sent to Milwaukee for Kevin Henderson, who was not a veteran, to alleviate the issue.

Here's the release:

The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, announced Wednesday the team has signed veteran forward Greg Rallo to an AHL contract for the 2017-18 season.

Rallo, 35, returns for his third stint with the Stars. The 6-foot, 195-pound forward is third all-time in franchise history with 94 goals, fourth with 191 points and seventh with 276 games played. His 39 power play goals are also second-most in team history. The Gurnee, Ill. native spent last season in Germany and recorded 25 points in 45 games for the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Eishockey-Liga.

The 2017-18 season will be Rallo’s 11th in the AHL and fifth with the Stars. The veteran has appeared in 586 AHL games in his career overall and tallied 330 points (160-170=330) with Texas, the San Antonio Rampage, Manitoba Moose, Albany River Rats, Rockford IceHogs and Iowa Stars. Previously in his career, Rallo (RAH-loh) skated for Texas from 2009-2011 and 2014-2016. He has also competed in 11 games for the NHL’s Florida Panthers with a goal.