Max Martin Returns to Texas Stars

(Credit: Mollie Kendall/Texas Stars)

The Texas Stars added their first AHL blueliner back to the fold today, announcing the signing of Max Martin to a deal. Martin played in just nine games this season as a crowded roster kept the rookie on rotation duty for most of the season.

Keep in mind that nine games in this season would be closer to 20 in a regular season, if that helps your mental comparison of his workload.

As it stands, the Stars currently have Anthony Louis and Martin on AHL deals. Unsigned AHL contracts from the last season include forwards Nick Baptiste, Cole Schneider, Josh Melnick, Derek Barach, Nick Moutrey and Nikita Scherbak, and goalie Tomas Sholl. Luke Martin and Jake Slaker were both on PTOs. Colin Markison played in Texas this year on loan from Chicago.

Here's the release: 

The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, announced that defenseman Max Martin has re-signed with the team on an AHL contract for the upcoming 2021-22 season.

Martin, 21, played nine games with Texas in his first professional season and logged three points (1-2=3). The defender made his pro debut on Mar. 16, 2021, against Colorado and later scored his first goal on May 6, 2021 against Tucson as part of a two-point performance.

The 6-foot, 195-pound blue liner skated in 57 games for the Kamloops Blazers in 2019-20 and amassed a career-high 58 points (14-44=58). He finished fifth on the roster and fifth among all WHL defensemen in points. The blueliner paced all WHL defensemen with 28 power play assists and ranked second among all skaters in the league. With his help, Kamloops ended the season first in the WHL’s B.C. Division. He previously competed in the 2019 Memorial Cup Tournament after capturing the 2019 WHL Championship with the Prince Albert Raiders. Martin finished the 2018-19 regular season with 41 points (6-35=41) in 59 games.

The native of Winnipeg, Manitoba began his WHL career in 2015 and played five years in the league. Across those seasons with Kamloops, Prince Albert, and the Prince George Cougars, Martin logged 164 points (36-128=164) in 271 games in addition to nine points (1-8=9) in 29 postseason games.