Dallas Stars Prospect Update: Radek Faksa Returns

Regular Seasons have begun to end with both Ludwig Bystrom and Emil Molin finishing their last regular season games in the Allsvenskan. The ElitSerien also finishes in the next week. For some of those players its time to start thinking about their futures and where they will play next season.

In the OHL Radek Faksa has returned to the lineup after missing several weeks with an MCL strain. He played in the Kitchener Rangers games on Friday and Sunday but went pointless. The Rangers have clinched a place in the OHL playoffs.

Brett Ritchie had 5 goals and three assists through three games this week. He had two goals and two assists in the IceDogs 9-4 victory over the Windsor Spitfires. He has been slightly inconsistent in the last few weeks but hopefully this is the start of a consistent period of play that will last through the the end of the regular season and their playoffs. The Niagara IceDogs have clinched a place in the OHL playoffs.

Gemel Smith played in three games for Owen Sound Attack and had a single goal through those three games. He also will be playing in the OHL playoffs as the Attack have clinched a playoff place.

In the WHL the Saskatoon Blades recent hot streak has also ensured that they have clinched a playoff place, something that was in doubt at the beginning of their season. Matej Stransky has had a slower week with only a single assist in his first three games but had two goals in the Blades 5-4 OT loss to the Moose Jaw Warriors. His play however is likely a big part of why the Saskatoon Blades aren't facing the embarrassment of being in the Memorial Cup while having not qualified for their own leagues playoffs.

Mike Winther has gone on a hot streak this week with 2 goals and an assist through three games this week. The Prince Albert Raiders have yet to clinch a playoff place but, unless they go on a losing streak, they will likely clinch within the next week or two. They are only two points behind the team ahead, who clinched a playoff place last week.

Branden Troock is still out with injury. He has been limited to 19 games this season due to multiple injuries.

Troy Vance, after last weeks hot streak, has had no points through the last 3 games for the Prince Edward Island Rockets. Maxime Lagace came in relief in one game and played for 1.22. He played the second game but was pulled after two periods after allowing 5 goals in 18 shots. P.E.I have secured a playoff spot however so both will be seeing post season action.

Jyrki Jokipakka played three games this week and had a single assist through those games. He averaged just over 20 minutes on ice through those 3 games. Ilves have basically secured the bottom place in the SM-Liiga for the second straight season and will have a relegation series with the top team from the Mestis.

In Sweden John Klingberg had a single assist through three games and also averaged approximately 20 minutes of ice time per game. Skelleftea are top of the ElitSerien with a single game left to play so John Klingberg will see post season action as well.

Both Ludwig Bystrom and Emil Molin were held pointless through the last few games in the Allsvenskan. Ludwig Bystrom will compete with Orebro for the final promotion spot to the Elitserien in the Allsvenskan post season. Emil Molin's team Mora will stay in the Allsvenskan but will see no more action this season. At this point there needs to be some thought on Emil Molin's future in Sweden and whether it might be beneficial for him to play elsewhere.

In the NCAA Alex Guptill had an excellent week with three assists in two games. Scott Winkler had a goal and assist in his first game but was held pointless in his second. Devin Shore had an assist through two games for the University of Maine. Curtis McKenzie had a single goal through two games. Dmitry Sinitsyn did not play in either of U-Mass Lowells two games this week.