Alex Petrovic Joins Texas Stars from Dallas

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

Defenseman Alex Petrovic, who played in 17 NHL playoff games with Dallas this postseason after only making it into 5 regular season contests, has been reassigned to the Texas Stars ahead of tomorrow night's Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals against Abbotsford. Petrovic was the Texas side's top pairing D-man and his physical brand of hockey is exactly what the AHL club seems to want a bit more of against the Canucks.

Petrovic has 5-20=25 in 58 games with the Texas Stars this year. He added a goal and an assist in the NHL playoffs, including the game-winner in Game 3 against Winnipeg.

Notably, his defensive partner Lian Bichsel will not be joining the Conference Finals. The player took a beating in his time in Dallas and has earned a rest. Additionally, he is certainly part of the plan in Dallas for next season, and there is some value in telling the player that by not assigning him to the minors, even if the run would be bound to the playoffs.

Goaltender Ben Kraws, who served as Dallas' third goalie for their run, was also assigned.

Game 3 is tomorrow in Cedar Park. Texas trails Abbotsford 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.