Texas Stars prepare to embark on inaugural season

CEDAR PARK, Texas — The Texas Stars completed their inaugural exhibition season and are primed and ready for their road opener against the San Antonio Rampage.
The Stars had a successful practice run, winning one (2-1) and losing one (4-3) in regulation against San Antonio, then losing (3-2) in a shootout to the Houston Aeros. Each game was decided by a single goal and provided good entertainment for the fans.   It also allowed the coaches to finalize their regulation season roster which can be found by clicking here.
The Stars concluded their exhibition season with a game against the Stars. Confused? The Dallas Stars traveled to Cedar Park to play against their new affiliate, the Texas Stars. Dallas won 5-1 in front of a near capacity crowd who seemed to enjoy every minute. This is Dallas’ first opportunity to have an affiliate close to home where they can observe and evaluate up and coming players.

“We are excited to have a minor affiliate in the Cedar Park/Austin area,” Dallas Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk said. “Over the past 15 years, we’ve built a winning tradition and to have the opportunity to expand it in the great state of Texas is not only going to be a thrill to the people of Cedar Park, but a huge benefit for us to have our prospects in so close proximity.”
“The team will be composed of many of our top prospects. Under the watchful eye of (Texas Head Coach) Glen Gulutzan and (Assistant Coach) Paul Jerrard, they will learn how to be pros and eventually play for our parent club in Dallas.”
Nieuwendyk helped Dallas to the Stanley Cup in 1998-99. He won the Conn Smythe trophy which is awarded to the player deemed most valuable to his team during the playoffs.
The game was played to a near sellout crowd who seemed to really enjoy the opportunity to watch both teams show their stuff.
“I’m encouraged by the big team being here for our fans in the area,” Texas Stars General Manager Scott White said. “It’s a great opportunity to get up close with the Dallas Stars in the Cedar Park Center.”
Long-time Dallas forward Mike Modano is playing his 20^th season with Dallas. He has accumulated 543 goals and 1329 total points and currently has more points than any U.S. born player. He’s also a seven time all star. Modano reflected on being around the younger players.
“It’s fun to watch them,” Modano said. “I feel fortunate to be around the game and the team for so long. It’s always fun watching the young guys and to be able to be a part of that and see their future and the future of the Stars that will be up and coming.”
“You look back to the days you were young and remember the guys that impacted your career on and off the ice. You hope that in some way, shape or form, you can do the same for these guys.”
Dallas goaltender Marty Turco was impressed with the new facility and the entire situation.
“I played a couple of years in the minors after I left college,” Turco said. “I’m pretty jealous of the situation here; Cedar Park and the rink and its proximity to Dallas and everything else that goes along with having a good team.”
“My time in the minors taught me a lot for my time in the NHL. I learned not to take anything for granted. It’s important to have great relationships, great founders and a great city like they have here to support you. For us to be here to help kick it off for the city and the fans (of Cedar Park) is special. We’re pretty excited about being here.”
Turko ranks first in Dallas victories with 240 and has 36 shut outs. He has 30 plus wins in each of his last six season and has played in three all star games.
It’s a big advantage for Dallas to have their affiliated players in one place right down the road from Dallas.
“I think it’s huge,” Nieuwendyk said. “If you look back to last year, our prospects were farmed out all over the country. That creates problems because they are listening to so many different people. We had our coaches get together over the summer and they know exactly what’s expected from our players. It just makes a lot more sense to have our higher end prospects in one place.
So, on October 2, 2009, the Texas Stars made history by beginning a new era, in a new city, with a home and home series against San Antonio. You can listen to all the games at:
http://www.austindeportes.com/stream1260am.html
or follow the in-game scores and stats at:
http://theahl.com/stats/schedule.php
The entire schedule can be found by clicking here.
Return to this site for a report of the historical first game.
Contact the writer at: mitch.cooper@prohockeynews.com Photos by the author