After what seems like the longest summer in quite some time for hockey in Texas, Dallas Stars training camp has finally arrived with excitement building around a young and skilled hockey team that now many expect to be true contenders in the Central Division.
After the masterful addition of Tyler Seguin last summer, along with a new coaching staff and a renewed organizational philosophy under general manager Jim Nill, the Dallas Stars re-launch in 2013-14 was a rousing success — culminating in the first postseason appearance for the team in six years. Now another summer of additions and forward progress has raised expectations with the Stars becoming a hot ticket in town for both sports fans and media alike.
It all begins this weekend in Fort Worth, as the 2014 Dallas Stars training camp is set to begin this Friday and run through Sunday before the first preseason game of the year on Monday, Sept. 22.
Camp this season will be held at the Fort Worth Convention Center (click for directions) and will feature two practices per day on Friday and Saturday with an intra-squad scrimmage on Sunday.
Here is the full schedule for camp:
| DATE | Group A | Group B |
| Friday, Sept. 19 | 9-10:45 a.m. | 11:45 – 1:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, Sept. 20 | 9-10:45 a.m. | 11:45 – 1:30 p.m. |
| Sunday, Sept. 21 | Intrasquad Scimmage – 10 a.m. | |
The official rosters for camp have yet to be announced, but we’ll update this post once they have been released.
All practices and scrimmages during camp are free and open to the public, and fans are highly encouraged to come out and watch.
The Stars will also be hosting the 2014 Dallas Stars Cowtown Kickoff, beginning at 3 p.m. on Friday after the second practice. Live music will be provided by Prophets and Outlaws, there will be a bounce house and slap shot cage for the kids and at 7 p.m. Josh Bogorad and Ali Lucia will host a Q&A with members of the organization.
Camp concludes on Sunday with the final intra-squad scrimmage (training camps in hockey are generally rather short) with the preseason beginning right away with a home game against the Blues on Monday. Here is the full preseason schedule:
| DATE | VISITOR | HOME | TIME (CT) |
| MON SEP 22, 2014 | BLUES | STARS | 7:30 PM |
| WED SEP 24, 2014 | STARS | PANTHERS | 6:30 PM |
| FRI SEP 26, 2014 | STARS | LIGHTNING | 6:30 PM |
| SAT SEP 27, 2014 | STARS | BLUES (KANSAS CITY, MO) |
7:00 PM |
| MON SEP 29, 2014 | PANTHERS | STARS | 7:30 PM |
| TUE SEP 30, 2014 | LIGHTNING | STARS | 7:30 PM |
The practice schedule for preseason has not been announced, but all practices held at the DrPepper Arena in Frisco remain free and open to the public — this is also a great chance to get autographs from the players you might have missed at the Icebreaker.
The 2014-2015 season is right around the corner — hockey is finally back.