Opening night against the Florida Panthers is exactly one month from today. A new coach, a new GM, a new look, a new division, and a new team on the ice awaits. You’ve waited patiently for 129 days. 30 remain, but they’re filled with hockey fun.
Quietest August in recent NHL history just expired. Get a good stretch everyone. Wakey, wakey time. #septembermorning
— Daryl Reaugh (@Razor5Hole) September 1, 2013
Wakey, wakey indeed.
Last year at this time the official start of the lockout was two weeks out and already looking unavoidable. The misery that followed was significant. The excitement this time of year brings as the hockey world wakes from its slumber was robbed wholly. The scars are still fairly fresh, though a full playoff and 48-game campaign did follow.
This year we have no such worry. The joyful anticipation is amplified in comparison, and things get going this week in Traverse City on Thursday.
Dates to remember as the ball gets rolling…
Traverse City Prospects Tournament
Thursday, September 5th: Dallas Stars vs St. Louis Blues
Friday, September 6th: Dallas Stars vs Detroit Red Wings
Sunday, September 8th: Dallas Stars vs Minnesota Wild
Monday, September 9th: 7th place, 5th place, 3rd place, or championship game
Dallas Stars Ice Breaker
Saturday, September 7th
Open skate with the Ice Girls: 10:00am-1:00pm
Dallas Stars autograph signing**: 11:00am-1:00pm
Forth Worth Training Camp
Training camp sessions: Thursday, September 12 & Friday, September 13, 9am-1pm
Intra-squad scrimmage: Saturday, September 14, 10am-12pm
Preseason Schedule
9/15: St. Louis Blues @ Dallas Stars
9/18: Florida Panthers @ Dallas Stars
9/20: Dallas Stars @ Florida Panthers (San Antonio)
9/21: Dallas Stars @ St. Louis Blues
9/24: Dallas Stars @ Colorado Avalanche
9/26: Colorado Avalanche @ Dallas Stars
9/27: Dallas Stars @ Edmonton Oilers (Oklahoma City)
October 3rd: Opening Night – Florida Panthers @ Dallas Stars
***
In addition to those dates leading up to October 3rd, don’t forget that once the preseason schedule begins you’ll be able to see the Stars daily on the ice in Frisco throughout the final two weeks of the month. It’s easy to spend nearly every day of September with the Dallas Stars nearly top-of-mind, and we intend to.
*Do note that the Ice Breaker is happening while a rather stellar list of prospects is in Michigan, so Valeri Nichushkin, Alex Chiasson, Jamie Oleksiak, Jack Campbell and others will not be present for autographs that day.
Stick with us all month long as we get ready for another 82 game ice-cream headache. Painful though it sometimes is, it’s so, so good.