The Dallas Stars chose two blueliners to represent the Jamie Benn round in the 2021 NHL Draft.
Jack Bar played at St. Andrew’s College with Justin Ertel, whom the Stars selected at No. 79 earlier today. The Stars picked the right-handed defender at No. 138 overall.
#NHLDraft looms large for @HarvardMHockey commit Jack Bar ’20. An athletic and talented package at both ends of the ice, he has a bright future ahead…Good Luck Jack! We are so proud and excited for you! @ChicagoSteel pic.twitter.com/YrdGavkqQT
— St. Andrew’s College Hockey (@sachockey1899) July 21, 2021
The 6-2 native of Newmarket, Ontario, earned five goals and 10 assists with the USHL’s Chicago Steel last season – where he played with No. 1 overall Owen Power and fellow first-rounders Matthew Coronato (No. 13) and Mackie Samoskevich (No. 24).
With the No. 138 pick in the 2021 #NHLDraft, the Dallas Stars select D Jack Bar from Chicago. https://t.co/qsPaRnk3cH
“A two-way defenseman with a strong defensive game, shutting down opponents along the boards and giving them little room and time to make plays in the slot.” pic.twitter.com/Mn3FU2ytxH
— FCHockey (@FCHockey) July 24, 2021
Bar will join Coronato at Harvard University this fall. They’re only part of the reason why the Crimson are looking like a good hockey date this academic year.
The 2021-2022 Harvard Crimson hockey team is going to be fun to watch.
Commits include: Jack Bar (’21), Sean Farrell (MTL), Matt Coronato (’21), Mason Langenbrunner (BOS), Alex Laferriere (LAK), Ian Moore (ANA), John Fusco (TOR), Alex Gaffney, Christian Jimenez
— Josh Tessler (@JoshTessler_) February 8, 2021
The Stars followed up by choosing Jacob Holmes at No. 143.
Congrats to #OHL defenceman Jacob Holmes (@homer7474) of @OHLHoundPower, selected 143rd overall by the @DallasStars in the 2021 #NHLDraft!#MeetTheFuture | @KubotaCanadaLtd pic.twitter.com/IwoTKB0iJF
— OntarioHockeyLeague (@OHLHockey) July 24, 2021
As a left-handed blueliner with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, Holmes suffered through the same canceled OHL season as the Stars’ first-rounder, Wyatt Johnston. And as a first-year player in 2019-20, he was a relatively low scorer (three goals, nine assists) on a team that racked up nearly four goals per contest despite losing 35 of their 64 games.
But the 6-1 native of Alliston, Ontario did most of his scoring on the power play, with one goal and five assists on the man advantage.
143. Dallas takes LHD Jacob Holmes from SSM in OHL. Typical three-zone defender who contributes in multiple areas Skating in a strength and will join the rush. Very smart puck management and understands spacing. Can run his own pairing or partner with a more dynamic puck rusher.
— Steve Kournianos (@TheDraftAnalyst) July 24, 2021