Stargazing: Dallas Stars Announce Ice Breaker Event, SBN iPhone App A Big Hit

Two weeks from tomorrow, friends. Two weeks from tomorrow the Dallas Stars will all be gathered at the Galleria in North Dallas and the prospects will be gathered in Traverse City for their first game in the tournament. From there it's all downhill and the hockey news will start rolling in freely.

Until then there's a calm before the storm happening and hockey reading is scarce. Nevertheless, here's what's been out there the last few days that might interest a keen Dallas Stars mind such as yours...

SB Nation wanted us to pass along a big thanks to all the readers of our blog and others, as the SBN iPhone app vaulted to #2 on the list of free sports apps. I haven't had a chance to check out the app myself, since I have an awesome Android phone and the iPhone is SO beneath me, but I've heard great things about it and it seems the users are happy as well -- it's getting stellar reviews.

What I can say is that while SBN is ecstatic it has been no popular already, they aren't sitting back and just patting themselves on the back. There is work in progress on an Android application and they realize that one of the main features everyone wants is not available on the app just yet. They're fully aware and working on it, and the popularity of the current app is going to go a long ways towards getting the next iterations out as soon as possible.

If you love the app, or have any other thoughts, let us know in the comments. If you're really adventurous, post a formal-tech-nerd-phone-geek review in a FanPost. If it's good enough, we'll slide it over to the front page.

• I could swear they already announced this information once, but here it is again: The Dallas Stars Ice Breaker is set for three weeks from tomorrow at the Galleria in Dallas as per usual. Come get autographs, or skate directly behind ice girls, or whatever your fancy is. I will be there simply because everyone else will be, and the chance to congregate as Stars fans is therapeutic every year after these ghastly summers. [DallasStars.com]
• The Dallas Stars will be hosting the Youth Hockey Opening Faceoff this weekend at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco. The event kicks off at 9 a.m. and while all the slots are filled, the practice is open to the public. There will be a coaching seminar with team management and coaching staff and then there will three mini-camp sessions with current and former Stars players on the ice. This is a great way for the Stars to make an impact on local youth hockey once more and it's great to see the players getting involved in these camps. Once again, all slots are filled but the sessions will be open to the public. [ESPN Dallas]
• Earlier this week Razor discussed a potential Stars "ring of honor" and who the inductees might be, with several obvious inclusions and thoughts on those that otherwise might not qualify. [Razor with an Edge]
• 10 players that will impact their new squads the most, from the USA Today. Not surprising, no Dallas Stars make the list and Brad Richards does. I still like seeing Ilya Bryzgalov's name out of the division, however. [USA Today]
• New Dallas Star Michael Ryder has a brother named Daniel. He was a promising prospect in his own right but quit the game and was eventually diagnosed with a mental illness. He was accused of a robbery, but was recently found innocent. So think a good thought and send a prayer, if you're so inclined, the Ryder family's way. [Toronto Sun]
• Patrick Kane had surgery on his wrist in mid June, and his rehab is dragging on into September. He's targeting their season opener (and second game on a back to back) against the Stars for a return. We're kind of hoping he doesn't make those appearances, or is very rusty and downright detrimental in the attempt. [NHL.com]
• Rumors continue swirling around the sale of the St. Louis Blues. It's possible that parties interested in the Stars are still looking at the Blues, and it's possible that the Stars sale price (should it EVER get set) could still influence that auction. [SB Nation]
• One Stars fan's take on the Anaheim Ducks is at the end of this kind of nonsensical entry. I hope he's right. [Pegasus News]
• I'm not really sure what "fansided" is, but apparently they have a Bruins blog. On it they list the game against the Stars on New Years Eve as noteworthy, given what's transpired in the last few meetings. [CauseWay Crowd]
  
• Media attention is focusing more and more on the health of Sidney Crosby and his (seemingly?) on-going battle with post concussion syndrome. Coach Bylsma is using words like "hoping" he'll be ready. [Toronto Sun]
• Speaking of the Penguins, AOL Sporting News takes a look at James Neal and his chances at turning things around in Pittsburgh following a pretty abysmal start there after the trade last season. In the piece they actually suggest that the Stars got the better end of the deal, at least so far. That's the first such admission I've seen from a national media type. If Sid's concussion problems drag into the season, does it diminish Neal's value even further? [Sporting News.com]