Texas Adds Defenseman Michael Prapavessis on PTO

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

For the first time since May 2018*, the Texas Stars have signed a professional tryout for a player not playing for the Idaho Steelheads. With the trade of Artem Grushnikov on Wednesday night, Texas has signed defenseman Michael Prapavessis out of ECHL Toledo.

The Stars had been up a creek in terms of injuries before the trade and had zero healthy scratches against San Diego Wednesday. Prapavessis was originally Dallas' draft pick in 2014 (105th overall) but did not get an entry-level contract from the NHL side. He played in Idaho before heading out of the organization, including a stint in Europe. He has nine assists in 30 games this year with Toledo.

Here's the release:

The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, announced today the club has signed defenseman Michael Prapavessis to a professional tryout.

Prapavessis, 28, joins the Stars after compiling nine assists in 30 games this season for the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye. Prior to signing in Toledo, the sixth-year pro played the 2022-23 season over in Europe, primarily with EHC Freiburg in Germany where he had 20 points (4-16=20) in 30 games.

The Mississauga, Ontario native spent the 2021-22 season with the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads, where he posted 33 points (5-28=33) in 39 games. He also played three games on a PTO with the AHL’s Ontario Reign. Prapavessis has eight points (2-6=8) in 55 career AHL games Cleveland and Ontario, and he’s totaled 59 points (6-53=59) in 136 ECHL games for Jacksonville, Orlando, Utah, Wheeling, Idaho and Toledo.

* - Mitch Gillam was the last player signed to a PTO not from Idaho on May 1, 2018. His release four days later was packaged with the announcement of the signing of Jason Robertson to an ATO.