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Dallas Stars Daily Links: Miro Heiskanen Keeps It Real

Posted on by Kathleen Tibbetts

As a Dallas Stars fan in a Coronavirus emergency, you may secretly feel like you’re withering without a daily Miro Heiskanen fix. (Just admit it.) So it’s nice to catch up with everyone’s favorite sophomore blueliner.

Sean Shapiro caught up with Heiskanen by phone at his home in Helsinki, where he says that other thing you’ve been thinking – that there’s probably no way the NHL season will resume. But the new Q&A also reminds us that Miro is approaching a pretty big milestone for his life in Dallas:

Heiskanen will turn 21 on July 18, something you are reminded of at team functions and charity events where he can’t legally drink in the United States. Last season, when the Stars Foundation gave gifts to each of the players as a “thank you” for their contributions during the season, the defenseman’s teammates each received a bottle of one of their favorite adult beverages. Heiskanen, meanwhile, got a bag of candy.

“That’s a bit weird, but I’m used to it,” Heiskanen said. “When I played my first pro year here in Finland, I was underage – I was 17 – so I’m used to playing with old people who can actually drink.”

Fortunately, Sean opened the chat to tweets from fans, so we get answers to the really important questions, like which Star would be best and worst to quarantine with:

“I would say Roope [Hintz],” Heiskanen said. “We are roommates on the road. We know each other well, and we are used to it; probably he’d be the one.”

(NHL players on entry-level contracts have roommates on the road; each player gets their own room once off an entry-level contract.)

As far as teammates he doesn’t want to spend time with? He’s joining other teammates in labeling Alexander Radulov as the worst quarantine partner.

“You never know if he is having a bad or good day,” Heiskanen said. “That’s a hard question. I like everyone on the team. But if you had to pick one not to live with, it’s Rads.”

Learn more from Sean’s latest, because the first rule of Finnish Mafia group chat is that you don’t talk about Finnish Mafia group chat. [The Athletic DFW]

Stars Stuff

In better world news, doggos and puppers everywhere are experiencing record levels of hoomans being home.

The Dallas Stars Foundation is raising spirits at the Dallas ISD’s Ellis Davis Field House, which has become the city’s second COVID-19 testing location.

And FOX Sports Southwest brings back a Kari Lehtonen classic for #ThrowbackThursday.

Around The League(s)

Wayne Gretzky vs. Alex Ovechkin for all the Chel marbles – and all for frontline medical workers? Now this is what I call Must-See Streaming TV.

The 2020 drafts won’t be remarkable for all the wrong reasons. The talent level is still historic, no matter who you root for.

Like it or not, free agency is coming this year, too. Here’s an early look at the landscape.

Another day, another iconic hockey equipper coming up with something great. Check out how CCM Hockey is repurposing its manufacturing capacity.

Greetings From Scenic Cedar Park (And Beautiful Boise)

Next season will come eventually, too. The Texas Stars are ready.

Big news from the Idaho Steelheads – star goaltender Tomas Sholl has netted himself a big league honor.

Finally

Embrace the awesomeness. Enjoy.

Talking Points