The Stars signed two free agents to entry level contracts today, adding further defensive depth to the organization in Swiss D-man Severin Blindenbacher, and 20 year old Jace Coyle. Blindenbacher is a 27 year old playing in the Swedish Elite league. He was signed to a one year deal. Coyle is more of a long term project at 20 years old and was signed to a three year contract. Both could be eligible to play in the AHL next season. Coyle will be at the Stars development camp this weekend, starting today.
Here is the release:
Frisco, Tex. – The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has signed defenseman Severin Blindenbacher to a one-year entry-level contract and defenseman Jace Coyle to a three-year entry-level contract.
"Severin is a good skater, moves the puck well and makes smart decisions in all zones," Nieuwendyk said. "We hope that he can push some of our guys and add some depth to our roster."
Blindenbacher, 27, played for Farjestad of the Swedish Elite League last season, collecting eight goals and 11 assists in 48 games. He skated for Switzlerland at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, recording one goal and one assist in five games during the tournament. Blindenbacher also represented Switzerland at the 2006 Olympic Games, dressing in six games and accruing one assist.
The 5-11, 194-pound defenseman played nine seasons in the Swiss-A League before 2009-10, splitting time with Zurich and Kloten. Blindenbacher has skated in 360 games in the Swiss-A League, tallying 58 goals and 98 assists. He was originally drafted in the ninth round (273rd overall) at the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by Phoenix. Blindenbacher has yet to play in North America.
Coyle, 20, played in 68 games for the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League (WHL) last season, collecting 46 points (10g, 36a). He also skated in 12 playoff games for the club, posting four points (3g, 1a).
The 5-11, 180-pound defenseman spent the 2008-09 season with Medicine Hat, recording 24 points (8g, 16a) in 72 games. Over three WHL seasons, Coyle has played in 192 games, tallying 19 goals and 60 assists. The native of Cranbrook, British Columbia, is teammates with fellow Stars’ prospect Tristan King on the Medicine Hat Club. Coyle is currently participating in the Stars’ Development Camp in Frisco.