Michael Karow Signs First Three-Year Deal in Texas Stars History

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

Earlier this month, Texas announced they had re-signed defenseman Michael Karow on an AHL deal. The stalwart defender has been a critical part of the blue line since joining in 2022 on an ATO, especially in the last two seasons when he played 68 and 71 games, respectively, in the regular season.

His signing an AHL deal was not a surprise. I even suspected it was a two-year deal, though Texas did not disclose that at the time. 100 Degree Hockey caught up with Texas GM Scott White two weeks ago and learned that Karow's deal is a record-breaker.

Michael Karow has signed the first three-year deal in team history.

“To be able to secure that stability for three years for my family with a newborn on the way coming up here in November, it's big,” Karow told 100 Degree Hockey when reached by phone earlier this week.

Traditionally, AHL deals are one-year affairs. In recent years, we've seen more and more two-year deals across the league and with Texas. Early examples among veterans like Landon Wilson and Maxime Fortunus have given way to more rookie examples like Matthew Murray and Bryan Thomson. There are various reasons for this that we covered two years ago when Murray signed his deal.

Initially, Texas approached Karow with a two-year deal to continue his time in victory green. Karow spoke with his agent about the possibility, knowing that it was pretty unprecedented to see a three-year pact in the AHL.

“We'd love to commit to one area, have that stability for our family. We love the area; we love the team. [I wondered], ‘Is that something that Whitey would be open to?’ It was a conversation between my agent and I to say, ‘Can we approach that with them?’ Thankfully, Whitey was pretty receptive to it, and it was something that we were able to come to terms on.”

The league confirmed that Karow's is not the first-ever three-year AHL contract, but it is certainly a rare sighting. Logan Shaw, for example, signed a three-year deal with the Marlies in 2022. Now, Texas has joined them with their first-ever three-year pact.

From the player's perspective, it makes a ton of sense. The constant question every NHL free agency is about term vs. cost, and how players will give up dollars per year to earn more years and more stability. Karow is 26 but has just started a family. For an AHL player who could see his career bounce to a different city every July or perhaps even overseas, what more could he ask for than knowing that he'll come home to the same address every night for the next three seasons? It's a great deal for him.

“Honestly, a lot of the factor is my wife's career as well. She is in medicine, so for her to be able to have the stability and knowing we're going to be there for a while is definitely big. As a family, we're pretty thankful to Whitey and the organization for making that commitment to us.”

(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

On the team side, a player like Karow is massively valuable to an AHL depth chart. He can slot in anywhere from 3-6 on regular duty and could even jump to the top pair in a pinch. He has shown resilience and adaptability as well as durability in his games played. Texas gets to lock that down until 2028.

“You'll have to talk to [Coach Petersen] more about that offensive side and see if we can get some power play time,” Karow joked after I mentioned his slick shorthanded goal in the playoffs. He continued, “One thing I always grew up hearing is ‘availability is the best ability sometimes’. To be able to go out there in different situations and try to contribute positively. To build a trusting relationship with our new coach and have the trust that the assistants have had in me to just go out in a variety of different roles is huge.”

Karow notes that he wants to just be seen as a player who continues to work and show up every night.  “One thing that my parents always instilled in me is, ‘If you're not loving what you're doing, find something else to do.’ So [I would want to be known as] someone who loved the game and was able to show up every night and contribute positively… and hopefully my name is remembered with a couple of Cups as well.”

For the sake of argument, let's assume that Karow were finishing rather than starting a three-year deal this summer. To get a sense of how long ago that was in AHL terms, it was Karow's rookie year, and his defensive partners were players like Thomas Harley, who played 66 games that year, Ben Gleason, Will Butcher, Ryan Shea and Joe Cecconi. Among players who manned the blue line that season who still play for Texas, only Alex Petrovic's name makes the list. Harley is obviously in Dallas and now on the Canadian Olympic roster shortlist. The point is that a lot can change in three years.

In my opinion, Karow is also the sort of player who, eventually, would wear a letter for a team. Karow, as any good hockey leader would, demures on the question, “There's 20 guys that could wear a letter in there. Age and experience lends a little bit towards, ‘Hey, I can say something in this situation because I've seen it.’ In the gym in the summer this year, guys who are coming out of college and making their first year pro, reminding them it’s a long season, take care of your body. It's never something that's on the front of your mind, that I need to get a letter to be a leader.

“As you gain time and experience, some young guys start to look up to you just because of that fact. It's been a nice thing to add to the responsibilities and things you do around the rink.”

Probably the best goal Karow has ever scored.
(Credit: Andy Nietupski/Texas Stars)

Karow has already skated in 188 regular season Texas Stars games and sits eighth among defensemen on the all-time list. From a technical perspective, if Karow misses one game next season, he will be at 259 to start 2026-27, which is just under the threshold to qualify as a veteran. As a reminder, AHL teams under the current CBA are only allowed six skaters dressed each night with more than 260 games. Surely this fact crossed Scott White’s mind as he executed the contract.

If Karow continues his recent games played numbers under Petersen (~70 games/season), he would vault to nearly 400 games played, putting him behind only former captain and current assistant coach Maxime Fortunus for most among defensemen. It would also put him top five all-time among all skaters, sharing the board with Travis Morin, Curtis McKenzie, Justin Dowling and Fortunus. Karow would only be 29 at the deal’s expiration as well, setting him up to continue his Texas Stars career even further and become the longest-tenured defenseman in team history.

“Hopefully, knock on wood, I can stay healthy enough to be in that position. Those are all guys who are really valued by the organization. To get to that point, it would be an honor. When your career is over, it's something that you can hang your hat on. 

“It's exciting to have that commitment from the team to me, especially at this level where it's uncommon. 2028 is a far-off year, but to be included with a couple of those names would obviously be an absolute honor and something that hopefully I can continue to earn and work my way towards.”