2010 Dallas Stars Prospect Season Review: European Edition

Editors Note: Pat has volunteered to provide us with some updates on Stars prospects in Europe, Juniors, and the AHL. This is the first installment, taking a look at the season that was for Stars prospects playing in Europe.

Philip Larsen, D

Frolunda HC stats:

Analysis: Ivan Vishnevskiy was once considered the franchise's only real "blue-chip" defensive prospect. Now that he's been shipped to Atlanta for Kari Lehtonen, Philip Larsen is by far the best d-man in the Stars' system. But for all the praise Stars management (particularly GM Joe) has thrown upon him, Larsen's numbers with the Frolunda Indians of the Swedish Elitserien League this season aren't terribly impressive. His 10 points in 42 games made him the fourth-highest scoring defenseman on the team this season. From what I've read around the net from scouts, Larsen is a solid defenseman with outstanding instincts in both zones, and has a great hockey mind. He's a quick learner, and is usually three steps ahead of everyone else on the ice. Larsen has plenty of offensive talent to tap into.

Immediate future: His lackluster numbers suggest he needs more development, and I wouldn't be surprised if he remains in Sweden for another season. But if I were GM Joe, I'd jump start Larsen's development on North American ice next year. Larsen could use a full year under his belt with the Texas Stars to work on his game on North American rinks. If the Stars do indeed bring Larsen to the AHL, don't expect him to get any callups. Maxime Fortunus will likely get the majority of the call-ups so Larsen can get an uninterrupted season of development in North America.

After the jump, Ondrej Roman...

Ondrej Roman, C/LW

In 26 games with HC Vitkovice:

Analysis: Ondrej Roman would probably like to just forget the 2009-10 season. Battling visa and contract issues to try and get to the AHL, Roman moved throughout three different levels of Czech Republic hockey before finally signing an entry level contract with the Dallas Stars. However, due to AHL rules, Roman was not permitted to play with the Texas Stars until next season. It was a disappointing turn of events for both player and management, but Roman made the best of it by working out and practicing often with his future AHL teammates. Roman is a creative playmaker with great vision on the ice, and was quoted by Stars scout Dennis Holland as being "one of the best passers in the Western Hockey League."

Immediate Future: Ondrej Roman will definitely join the Texas Stars next season, where he will try to get his career back on track after a kind of off-season in 09-10.

When he was with the Spokane Chiefs...

Ondrej Roman beauty (via dcnetvideos)