The Dallas Stars continue their marketing campaign to spread their brand throughout the state of Texas with something that a lot of fans have been wanting: NHL play in Cedar Park.
On October 3rd and 4th, the Dallas Stars will take their game to the Austin area suburb for a practice and exhibition game versus the Texas Stars, their AHL affiliate. This will be the first time the entire squad will play in Cedar Park Center and offers fans the opportunity to see the current Stars team as well as future Stars on the same ice together.
This should add an interesting twist to training camp, as there are a few Cedar Park regulars from this season expected to push for roster spots this year. Will Patrik Nemeth be on the NHL or AHL squad at this game? What about Brett Ritchie? Jamie Oleksiak? Scott Glennie? For those who are reassigned to Texas before this game, it could be an opportunity to once again impress upon management and the coaching staff their right to be considered for first call up when injuries hit.
Jim Lites announced the news today on the Dallas Stars website in a taped interview with Josh Bogorad in which he addressed fan questions. The game should be a precursor to working out special AHL games at the American Airlines Center. With the Texas Stars so close to the Oklahoma City Barons (Edmonton Oilers) and the San Antonio Rampage (Florida Panthers), it seems likely that a game between one of these teams could be brought into the Dallas arena to afford Dallas area fans the chance to see the future players of tomorrow and get to know some of the prospects working their way up through the system.
It’s another step in creating engaged fans within the Lone Star State.