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The Dallas Stars have signed 23-year-old University of Michigan forward Tony Calderone to a two-year entry-level contract, the club announced today.
The Dallas Stars have signed RW Tony Calderone (University of Michigan) to a two-year, entry-level contract. https://t.co/Dw9C1X2LvN
— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) April 9, 2018
The 6-0, 200-pound Calderone has played right wing for the Wolverines since 2014. He was a member of the university’s Big 10 Tournament championship team in 2016, along with fellow Michigan alumnus (and current Columbus Blue Jackets defender) Zach Werenski and Stars 2015 fifth-rounder Joseph Cecconi.
As 2017-18 captain, the senior recorded 25 goals and 20 assists in 40 games to lead the Wolverines in scoring. A huge performance in a two-game sweep of Wisconsin March 2-3 led to Calderone receiving NCAA First Star of the Week honors on March 6. He recorded six points (four goals, two assists) tallying his first career four-goal game and second career hat trick in the Wolverines’ 6-5 win over the Badgers on March 2nd, and assisting on two of Michigan’s seven goals in a 7-4 win on March 3rd. He was named second-team All-Big 10 on March 13.
Calderone ultimately led Michigan to the NCAA Frozen Four. Notre Dame scored with 5.2 seconds left in regulation to bounce the Wolverines from the 2018 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament.
A native of Trenton, Michigan, Calderone came up through Victory Honda AAA hockey from 2007 to 2012. After graduating from U18, he played with the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede from 2012 to 2014. He was named to the USHL All-Rookie Team for 2012-13.
DBD prospect watcher Derek had this to say about the signing on Sunday afternoon:
Just noticing this now after working a photo shoot all afternoon...decent little signing for the Stars.
— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) April 9, 2018
Got to see a lot of video footage of Calderone because he played on the same NCAA team as Joseph Cecconi. He's not a world-beater, but has a good knack for scoring goals https://t.co/AFi3HVoiAm
Brett Connolly seems like a close fit. Not the best skater and not very physical, but can really finish when the puck hits his stick. Probably needs to play with a good playmaker or two to really be effective
— Derek Neumeier (@Derek_N_NHL) April 9, 2018
He will join the Texas Stars on a try-out, allowing him to be part of the team during the Calder Cup playoffs while not burning off an entire year’s worth of his contract.