Shortly after the end of the Stanley Cup Final, I wrote about what the run meant for the Dallas Stars and their fans. One of the key points I hit on was how a deep run would potentially inspire a new generation of hockey fans throughout Texas.
Only a couple months later, we’re already seeing that new generation form as youth hockey has experienced a massive boom in North Texas:
The most recent Rookies session began in October, less than a month after the end of the Stars appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. Due to unprecedented demand, for the first time ever, all eight Stars rinks ran the program simultaneously. More than 650 children enrolled, with another 200-plus on waiting lists. That shattered the previous record for a single session by more than five times.
Since arriving in Dallas, the Stars have worked hard to promote youth hockey in Texas and increase the infrastructure to support it. And their involvement doesn’t go unnoticed — one family who recently moved to Dallas were blown away by the youth hockey community the Stars have cultivated:
“In Minnesota you work directly with the rinks. What’s different here, and pretty neat, is that the Stars play such a role in youth hockey in the area. The Stars seems to have their prints on everything.”
You can read more from Josh Bogorad here.
Stars Stories
Could Texas youth hockey experience yet another boom in the near future? It’s quite possible if the Stars can capitalize on their current window:
Actions speak louder than words. When you see the things Dallas has done this offseason — and where it leaves their roster — you understand why the sense of urgency is so high.
Championship windows aren’t forever. The Stars’ window to win is right now 👇https://t.co/BiqcXIkO5U
— Saad Yousuf (@SaadYousuf126) November 18, 2020
Are you a fan of the team’s Reverse Retro jerseys? I’d be surprised, but I’m not one to judge — here’s how you can purchase one:
Pre-Order your #ReverseRetro jersey today!
Visit https://t.co/jqI5B3kQfV
Release date of 12/1. Additional player kits will be available Mid-December to customize your blank jersey. #GoStars pic.twitter.com/4lZ6BkrmAe
— Stars Hangar (@StarsHangar) November 18, 2020
Around the League
Despite signing a new CBA earlier this year, NHL owners are already asking players to make changes to it before starting the 2020-21 NHL season, and the players are not happy:
Updated blog: a good night’s sleep — https://t.co/gDa7XmctZ0
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) November 19, 2020
Speaking of the new season, hockey leagues around the world are having difficulties with their own 2020-21 seasons. Is the current pandemic just too big of a hurdle to overcome?
Are we getting to the point where we should consider shutting down hockey for 2020-21? @THNKenCampbell weighs in: https://t.co/hIITeuNHVP
— The Hockey News (@TheHockeyNews) November 18, 2020
Assuming we finally do get a new NHL season, we all know which teams will be bad this year. But then again, what if we’re wrong?
New post: Finding hope for the Hawks, Sabres and even the Wings in my annual attempt to figure out if any of the league’s ten worst teams might secretly be good. https://t.co/ZxOzih5pDD pic.twitter.com/3oWSLf9bRc
— Down Goes Brown (@DownGoesBrown) November 18, 2020
Finally…
This is just pure gold:
Braden Holtby’s move to his new home has slowed to a crawl after the @Canucks goaltender got stuck at the U.S. border with his pet tortoises.https://t.co/OvypXoSmgB
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 19, 2020