Dallas Swaps Riley Damiani to Calgary for F Emilio Pettersen

(Credit: Ross Bonander/Texas Stars)

In a minor league deal, the Dallas Stars have swapped forward Riley Damiani to the Calgary Flames for forward Emilio Pettersen.

Damiani came into the pro ranks during the shortened COVID season of 2021. He collected a point per game in the 36-match campaign and earned the AHL's Rookie of the Year honors. Since then, he's averaged just over half a point per game. Notably, most RotY winners go on to play at least twenty games for their parent club in the next season. Damiani only played seven and hasn't returned. Part of that was affected by the taxi squad of 2021-22.

In return, Dallas receives forward Emilio Pettersen, drafted 30 picks after Damiani in 2018. He has been with Calgary's AHL squad since the same COVID-shortened season as Damiani.

Frankly, both players are in need of a change of scenery. Calgary reporter Ryan Pike agreed on X after the trade and noted that "the Wranglers could use more centres [as the] Flames system has an abundance of wingers."

We're unlikely to see Pettersen this weekend as he will have to clear visa requirements same as Chris Tanev.

Here's the release: 

Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has acquired forward Emilio Pettersen from the Calgary Flames in exchange for forward Riley Damiani. Pettersen will be assigned to the Texas Stars, Dallas' development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL).

Pettersen, 23, has recorded 30 points (7-23—30) in 54 games with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) this season. Among team leaders, he ranks second in assists (23) and fourth in points (30). He finished the 2022-23 campaign with 44 points (19-25—44) in 61 contests, ranking third on the team in plus/minus (+23), fifth in points (44) and sixth in assists (25).

The 5-foot-11, 180-pound forward has skated in 203 career AHL contests, all with the Wranglers franchise, posting 114 points (45-69—114). Originally selected by Calgary in the sixth round (167th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft, he has posted five points (2-3—5) in 16 contests during the Calder Cup Playoffs.

Damiani, 23, has recorded 23 points (10-13—23) in 53 games with Texas this season. In 204 career AHL games, the forward has registered 126 points (47-79—126). He has made two appearances in Calder Cup Playoffs, recording three points (2-1—3) in eight games. The 5-foot-10, 180-pound native of Mississauga, Ontario has appeared in seven NHL contests and has registered two points (1-1—2). 

Originally selected by Dallas in the fifth round (137th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft, Damiani was voted the winner of the AHL’s Dudley (Red) Garrett Memorial Award during the 2020-21 season as the league’s most outstanding rookie.