Dallas Signs Defenseman Ryan Shea, Possible AHL Player for Coming Season

(Credit: Texas Stars)

The Dallas Stars announced late yesterday that they had signed defenseman Ryan Shea, a collegiate free agent from Northeastern.

On a two-year entry-level contract, Shea would be expected to play with the AHL team this coming season. While that is still a possibility, it goes without saying that no one knows what the coming AHL season will look like.

Here's the release:

Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has signed defenseman Ryan Shea to a two-year, entry-level contract.  

Shea, 23, recorded 31 points (5-26=31) in 34 games with Northeastern University of Hockey East during his senior season in 2019-20. A 2020 Hockey East Second-Team All-Star, Shea's 31 points ranked second among Hockey East defensemen and was tied for 15th in the conference and second on Northeastern among all skaters. The blueliner served as captain during the 2019-20 campaign and established new collegiate career highs in goals (5), assists (26) and points (31), while his 26 assists led the team. 

Shea played four seasons at Northeastern, registering 78 points (10-68=78) in 149 games during his collegiate career. His 149 games in a Northeastern sweater are tied for third all-time in school history. Shea also helped Northeastern win the 2019 Hockey East Championship, as well as three consecutive Beanpot Championships in 2018, 2019 and 2020. 

The 6-foot-1, 195-pound native of Milton, Mass. was originally selected by Chicago in the fourth round (121st overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.