DallasStars.com has a great article on Scott Glennie and his experience last week during the conditioning camp the Stars held last week. While Glennie will return to Brandon to play in the juniors next season, he will participate in training camp with the Stars in September and get a taste of what he can look forward to when he makes the jump to the NHL in a few years.
Glennie had some thoughts on his time in Dallas, and he was understandably ecstatic and grateful:
“It’s just a tremendous feeling and an honor to come to a great organization,” said Glennie, a native of Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada. “When I got drafted here, I couldn’t have been happier and since I’ve been down here, it’s been really hot. It’s been different, it’s been nice and I have enjoyed my time since I’ve been down here.”
More after the jump.
“To be invited to camp, and knowing how many guys that could have been invited to that camp, it’s definitely an honor to go and try to play for your country,” said Glennie, who tied for his team lead with 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) in 12 playoff games this spring as Brandon advanced to the WHL’s final four. “It’s going to be real important to me to make that team.”
Les Jackson also shares his thoughts on the Stars drafting Glennie at #8, despite many not having him ranked that high:
“The lists, everybody has lists out there,” shrugged Les Jackson, the Stars’ Director of Scouting and Player Development. “One lesson I’ve learned is that you’ve got to by the work that your people do out in the field, but they had him slotted in the spot they felt he’d fit. He’s just a young kid, he’s got tons of talent, he’s just in the initial steps of pro. The background we have on him is that he’s a real outgoing kid and he has a real passion for the game and he’s fun to be around. So I think for a hockey player, he’s got a lot of things in his personality that match up with being a good teammate and part of a team.”
The story also has some more great quotes from Glennie on what he needs to do in the next few years to get ready for the NHL, and some thoughts from some of the Stars scouts on the top pick. Be sure to head over and check it out.
The Stars also announced that they have signed center Aaron Gagnon to a one-year, two-way contract. Gagnon was in the system last season and was given a qualifying offer by the Stars as a RFA last week. Here’s the official press release:
FRISCO, Tex. – Dallas Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk announced today that the club has re-signed center Aaron Gagnon to a one-year, two-way contract for the 2009-10 season.
“Aaron made good strides with his game last season in Grand Rapids,” said Nieuwendyk. “He will continue to add solid depth at the center position in our organization.”
Gagnon, 23, skated in 61 games last season with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League, recording eight goals and 11 assists for 19 points with 28 penalty minutes. He also appeared in 10 AHL Playoff games this past spring with the Griffins, earning a goal and two assists for three points.
Signed by Dallas as a free agent on Feb. 2, 2007, Gagnon was originally selected by Phoenix in the eighth round (No. 220 overall) in the 2004 Entry Draft. The 5-11, 189-pound pivot skated in 25 games for the Iowa Stars (AHL) in 2007-08, earning an assist and eight penalty minutes. He also appeared in 22 games with the Idaho Steelheads that season, posting 21 points (7 goals, 14 assists). He added a goal and an assist in four 2008 ECHL Playoff games for Idaho.
A native of Armstrong, B.C., Gagnon had a decorated junior career with the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) from 2001-07. He notched 80 points (42 goals, 38 assists) in 59 games with Seattle in 2006-07, earning WHL First-Team All-Star honors as well as the Brad Hornung Trophy as the league’s most sportsmanlike player. He skated for Team Canada at the 2004 World Under-18 Championships.