Texas Adds College UFAs Christian Fitzgerald, Ellis Rickwood on ATOs

(Credit: Texas Stars)

Over the past two days, the Texas Stars have announced amateur tryout agreements (ATOs) with two college free agent forwards both coming off appearances in the Frozen Four: Christian Fitzgerald and Ellis Rickwood. 

Wisconsin's Christian Fitzgerald signed an NHL deal with Dallas starting next season and an ATO for this spring with Texas. Fitzgerald was one of EliteProspects' top free agents in this class.  He had 31 points in 39 games with the Badgers. His Badgers lost in the Final to Denver by a 2-1 margin on Saturday.

Here's Dallas' release on Fitzgerald:

Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has signed forward Christian Fitzgerald to a one-year, entry-level contract that will begin in 2026-27. Fitzgerald will report to the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL) for the remainder of the year.

 

Fitzgerald, 23, recently finished his senior season at University of Wisconsin where he collected 31 points (16-15—31) in 39 games. His 31 points were an NCAA career high for the forward while ranking third on the team. Among Badger skaters this season, Fitzgerald led the team in power-play goals (9) while ranking second in goals (16), shots taken (105) and tied for fifth in assists (15).

 

Prior to his time at University of Wisconsin, the Coquitlam, B.C. native, spent his freshman season (2022-23) with Minnesota State University, becoming a CCHA Champion and registering 29 points (16-13—29) through 38 games played, carrying a plus-minus rating of plus-9. Fitzgerald skated in 151 career NCAA games, totaling 101 points (45-56—101).

Before his NCAA career, the 6-foot, 186 pound forward also spent time in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) and United States Hockey League (USHL) from 2019-2022, scoring 24 goals and 34 assists for 58 points in 93 games. He earned the Brett Hull Trophy for the BCHL top scorer during the 2020-21 season where he totaled 33 points (13-20—33) with the Surrey Eagles.

North Dakota's Ellis Rickwood has signed a standard player contract for 2026-27 with Texas and an ATO for this spring. Rickwood just finished his senior season with the Fighting Hawks, picking up 37 points in 35 games. UND lost to Fitzgerald's Badgers in the semi-final last week.

Here's Texas' release on Rickwood:

The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, announced today the club signed University of North Dakota forward Ellis Rickwood to a standard player contract for the 2026-27 season. Rickwood will join Texas on an amateur tryout for the rest of this season..

Rickwood, 23, turns pro after finishing his senior season at the University of North Dakota, where he compiled 37 points (9-28—37) in 35 games. He was named to the NCHC’s Third All-Star Team after helping the Fighting Hawks to the regular-season conference championship and the NCAA Frozen Four.

Prior to transferring to Grand Forks, Rickwood spent three seasons at Clarkson University, where he was teammates with fellow Stars prospects Ayrton Martino and Trey Taylor.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound native of Brantford, Ontario was originally undrafted and played two seasons with the Victoria Grizzlies of the British Columbia Hockey League from 2020-22 before attending Clarkson.