Future Texas Stars Ready to Hit the Ice in Traverse City

Forward Roope Hintz will play in Traverse City this weekend.
(Credit: Texas Stars)

The madness begins this weekend in Traverse City, Michigan. The annual prospect tournament featuring young guns from eight different NHL clubs starts off tomorrow.

Here's your schedule with all times in Central:
Friday Sept 7: Dallas Stars vs. New York Rangers, 6:00 PM
Saturday Sept 8: Dallas Stars vs. Detroit Red Wings, 6:00 PM
Monday Sept 10: Minnesota Wild vs. Dallas Stars, 2:30 PM
Tuesday Sept 11: TBD based on placement

Fans with access to Fox Sports GO can stream all the games online. Links are provided on the tournament homepage on DallasStars.com.

Here is the full roster, and some highlights notable to Texas Stars fans:

• In addition to a bevy of current Stars, there are a lot of new faces. Many eyes will be on Dallas's first round pick from 2018, Ty Dellandrea. At the draft this year, the pick was a bit of a headscratcher but we've learned more about Dellandrea now, including his recent diagnosis of celiac disease that affected his performance, that puts his pick in perspective. Dellandrea will be going back to juniors this season in all likelihood and definitely won't play for the AHL club for a few more years yet.
• Adam Mascherin will be with the Texas Stars this year despite being drafted just a few months ago. Technically, he was re-drafted after not signing with the Florida Panthers following his first draft eligibility in 2016. He's a proven scorer in the OHL and we've got him penciled in for top six duty in Cedar Park.
• Colton Point is coming out of college early and he'll be in a battle for the starting role in Texas this month. This is his first action since making that call. How quickly he comes along in the professional game will be a huge key to the Texas Stars overall season success.
• On defense, I don't think we can leave the topic without mentioning highly-touted Miro Heiskanen. I would hesitate to call him a player of interest to the Texas Stars though. If Heiskanen is somehow not on the opening night roster for the Dallas Stars, then something has gone very wrong.
• Keep an eye out for players on AHL contracts making their mark. Sheldon Dries got his fantastic season last year started in Traverse City. Remember that this tournament is coached by Derek Laxdal, so anything good that happens here could set up AHL players for the rest of the year.