Playoff Beast Cameron Hughes Is Back on Two-Year, Two-Way with Dallas

(Credit: Ross Bonander/Texas Stars)

Cameron Hughes, who still as of this morning ranks third in playoff points in the league despite Texas being eliminated 11 days ago, has signed a new deal to stay with Dallas for the next two years. The contract is a two-way pact, meaning Hughes is likely to form the core of the forward group in Texas for the coming few years.

Hughes made his way to Texas this season after two years in Coachella Valley, going all the way to the Calder Cup Finals in both seasons there. He then made it to the Western Conference Finals with Texas and put on a show getting there. Game 3 against Grand Rapids was one of the most electric in Stars' history with Hughes notching a fight to amp the crowd up while Texas was down three, then scoring a power play goal and the eventual game-winner in double OT.

Along the way, he racked up 19 points in the playoffs and 57 in the regular season, ranking him just behind league award winner Matěj Blümel and Justin Hryckowian. With all sorts of change affecting Texas in the coming season (as it ever was), including the departure of those two players to the NHL, Hughes' leadership and scoring will be a solid force to steady the tide.

Here's the release:

Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has signed forward Cameron Hughes to a two-year, two-way contract extension, which begins in the 2025-26 season and runs through the 2026-27 season.

Hughes, 28, had 57 points (23-34—57) in 69 regular-season games with the Texas Stars – the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Dallas Stars – matching his AHL career high in scoring and ranking third on his team in goals (tied), assists and points. He was named the AHL Player of the Week for the week ending in Jan. 12 after notching eight points (4-4—8) in three games played. Hughes added 19 points (4-15—19) in 14 Calder Cup Playoff games, leading the Stars and ranking third in the AHL in postseason scoring.

The six-foot, 183-pound forward has appeared in two NHL games, both with the Boston Bruins, and has spent the remainder of his career in the AHL. He’s totaled 283 points (105-178—283) in 393 regular-season AHL games and 58 points (8-50—58) in 62 career Calder Cup Playoff games. Hughes was named to the 2021 Atlantic Division AHL All-Star Team after leading the Providence Bruins with 21 points (5-16—21) in 25 games.

Prior to making his professional debut, Hughes played four seasons (2014-15 to 2017-18) of NCAA hockey at the University of Wisconsin where he totaled 92 points (23-69—92) in 139 collegiate games and serving as his team’s captain his senior year. He was originally selected by Boston in the sixth round (165th overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.