Dallas Stars select physical two-way forward

FRISCO, Texas – After missing the post-season for the second consecutive year, the Dallas Stars will continue the rebuilding process in this years’ NHL Entry Draft with another solid pick, the 13th overall.
The Stars surprised many with their selection of defenseman Jamie Oleksiak in the first round of the 2011 draft and although the team continues to find lacking in its pool of prospective blueliners, their more pressing lack of depth at the center position will be addressed first and foremost in this year’s draft.
High on the Stars’ 2012 draft radar is arguably one of the best two-way forwards available – Zegmus Girgensons. At 18, the 6’ 1”, 182-pound native of Riga, Latvia offers a nice mix of size, skill and grit and will likely be the first player from his country to be selected in the first round of an NHL draft.
Nicknamed “the Latvian Locomotive”, Girgensons has drawn comparisons to players such as Peter Forsberg, Jonathan Toews and Ryan Kesler. He is a strong competitor who intimidates with his skill and strength.
A talented skater, Girgensons has great agility and has shown a propensity for protecting the puck while avoiding pressure with an impressive ability to stop and start, as well as changing directions on the fly. He attacks the net often with excellent vision and passing ability which adds a play-making element to his game. He possessed above average stick handling skills as well as a rifling shot.
With an effective hockey sense and positioning in the defensive zone, Girgensons is a keen shot blocker who has also been proficient on the penalty kill. He also uses his tenacity and physical presence to show dominance on the fore-check and is not one to back down from a fight, especially when coming to the aid of his teammates.
Girgensons came to the U.S. in 2008, rather than remaining in Latvia to play for SK Riga (Latvia’s U20 development team). Then a quiet 15-year-old with a working knowledge of English, he traveled to northwestern Vermont to pursue his dream of playing in the National Hockey League.
Girgensons quickly created a buzz in the Northeast during the 2009-10 season, 29 points (17 G, 12 A) in just 29 games for the Green Mountain Glades of the Junior B Empire Hockey League. At mid-season, the Glades organization promoted him to its entry in the Eastern Junior Hockey League, where he added another 28 points (11 G, 12 A) in 23 games.
His performance in the EJHL, along with steadfast recommendations from both NHL and college scouts, prompted Jim Montgomery, the newly-appointed head coach and GM of the Dubuque Fighting Saints to sign Girgensons to a pre-draft tender in the Tier I United States Hockey League.
In 2010-11, Girgensons tallied 49 points (21 G, 28 A, +7) and 46 penalty minutes in 51 regular season games and contributed eight points (3 G, 5 A) in the post-season during the Fighting Saints’ run to the 2011 Clark Cup Championship. He followed that performance last season with 55 points (24 G, 31 A, +17) and 69 PIM in 49 regular season contests. He was sidelined with a fractured jaw after two playoff appearances in which he had four points (2 G, 2 A).
His love for the game has translated to an insatiable work ethic and has labeled him as one of the best players in the USHL.
Girgensons was part of Team Latvia for the 2012 World Junior Championships and contributed two goals in six games.  In 17 games of international play, he has tallied 11 points (7 G, 4 A).
Girgensons still shows a need to improve his speed and can use some more weight on his lanky frame and while there are those who argue that without an explosive scoring touch, he may never be more than a third-line contributor; others see him emerging as an elite power forward in the NHL.
Girgensons has committed to the University of Vermont for 2012-13 season, which means the Stars will have a four year, rather than two year development window.
If the Stars try to convince him to go the major junior route, he’ll play for the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, who selected him in the 2011 CHL Import Draft.  
“With the thirteenth overall pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the Dallas Stars select, from the University of Vermont, center Zemgus Girgensons. ”
To learn more about Zemgus Girgensons click here .
Contact the writer at robert.keith@prohockeynews.com
Contact the photographer at Lewis.Bleiman@prohockeynews.com