Dallas Inks Ben Kraws to One-Year, Two-Way Contract

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

After signing goaltender Remi Poirier to a two-year deal yesterday, Jim Nill and the Dallas brass signed another netminder to a contract, inking a one-year, two-way contract with Ben Kraws Tuesday.

Earning his second one-year deal of his career, Kraws played mostly for the Idaho Steelheads this season. As the primary netminder for the Steelheads, Kraws put together a 23-12-5 record for a 2.88 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. His five shutouts this season tied him fifth among goaltenders in the ECHL.

With the departure of Magnus Hellberg to his native Sweden and the rise in confidence of Poirier’s play late in the season, it is expected that Kraws will now fill the vacant hole in Texas’ No. 2 goaltender spot this upcoming season.

The six-foot-five, 194-pound Kraws will fill the physical stature left by Hellberg, who had similar measurements.

Starting in just seven games for a 4-3 in two seasons for Texas, Kraws has limited experience at the AHL level. He did earn a call-up to Dallas during their Stanley Cup playoff run as the team's EBUG and saw no ice time.

Coming out of St. Lawrence University, his third collegiate stop of his career, the Cranbury, New Jersey native posted a record of 14-17-6 for a .919 save percentage and a 2.49 goals against average. For his contributions, Kraws earned the Hobey Baker Award, given to college hockey’s best player.

100 Degree Hockey got a chance to interview Kraws while the Steelheads were visiting the Allen Americans back in January.