Texas Stars vs. Utica Comets
Game Notes
October 18, 2014
AHL Game #52
Texas Stars
2-0-0-0 (4 pts.)
Utica Comets
2-0-1-0 (5 pts.)
Team Game: 03
Home Game: 02
th
th
PP: 25.0% (4 ), PK: 84.6% (15 )
Home: 1-0-0-0
Road: 1-0-0-0
OT: 0-0 / SO: 0-0
Team Game: 04
Road Game: 04
th
st
PP: 18.2% (12 ), PK: 100.0% (1 )
Home: 0-0-0-0
Road: 2-0-1-0
OT: 0-0 / SO: 0-0
#
1
33
40
L
0
0
0
Goalie
Jack Campbell
Maxime Lagace
Jussi Rynnas
GP
1
0
1
W
1
0
1
OTL GAA
0
2.00
0
0.00
0
2.00
SV%
.949
.000
.909
#
30
33
Goalie
Joacim Eriksson
Jacob Markstrom
#
P
Player
GP
G
A Pts +/-
PIM
#
P
2
3
4
7
D
D
D
D
William Wrenn
Jyrki Jokipakka
John Klingberg
Julius Honka
0
2
2
2
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
2
0
2
3
4
5
D
D
D
D
8
9
10
11
LW
D
C
RW
Kevin Henderson
Derek Meech
Justin Dowling
Branden Troock
2
2
2
2
0
1
1
0
1
0
2
1
1
1
3
1
1
1
1
0
0
2
2
2
6
7
8
9
13
14
15
16
D
C
C
LW
Mike Dalhuisen
Gemel Smith
Scott Glennie
Curtis McKenzie
0
1
2
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
1
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
2
18
19
20
21
D
LW
RW
C
Maxime Fortunus
Brendan Ranford
Brett Ritchie
Jesse Root
2
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
1
0
2
1
1
0
1
0
1
0
23
24
25
27
C
D
C
C
Travis Morin
Cameron Gaunce
Taylor Peters
Greg Rallo
2
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
1
0
2
0
1
0
28
29
39
RW
C
LW
Matej Stransky
Radek Faksa
Derek Hulak
2
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
GP
1
2
Player
W
0
2
L
0
0
OTL
1
0
GP G
A
GAA
2.73
0.50
SV%
.893
.981
Pts +/-
PIM
Travis Ehrhardt
Alex Biega
Kane Lafranchise
Jeremie Blain
1
3
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
D
D
C
LW
Bobby Sanguinetti
Henrik Tommernes
Alex Friesen
Hunter Shinkaruk
3
2
1
3
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
2
1
0
0
2
2
-2
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
11
14
15
LW
D
LW
LW
Brendan Gaunce
John Negrin
Mike Zalewski
Ronalds Kenins
3
0
1
2
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
2
2
0
16
17
18
19
C
RW
LW
C
Cal O'Reilly
Nicklas Jensen
Ryan Jones
Kellan Lain
3
3
1
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
-2
-2
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
-1
2
0
0
2
21
24
25
26
C
RW
LW
D
Dustin Jeffrey
Brandon DeFazio
Darren Archibald
Frank Corrado
3
3
3
3
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
3
1
0
0
0
-2
0
-1
0
8
20
2
0
1
1
6
0
0
28
29
30
33
RW
D
G
G
Alexandre Grenier
Kent Huskins
Joacim Eriksson
Jacob Markstrom
3
3
1
2
1
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
2
-1
0
0
0
0
0
2
34
36
40
RW
C
D
Carter Bancks
Wacey Hamilton
Peter Andersson
3
3
3
1
0
0
1
2
0
2
2
0
2
2
2
2
2
4
General Manager
Scott White
General Manager
Lorne Henning
Head Coach
Assistant Coach
Athletic Trainer
Equipment Staff
Derek Laxdal
Karl Taylor
Jason Wallace, ATC
Brian Garcia, Jorge Lopez (Asst.)
Head Coach
Assistant Coach
Athletic Trainer
Equipment Staff
Travis Green
Nolan Baumgartner, Paul Jerrard
Dustin Flynn
Damion Parmelee, Taylor Anderson (Asst.)
NHL Affiliate
Dallas Stars
NHL Affiliate
Vancouver Canucks
Tonight’s Officials
Referee
National Anthem
Kendrick Nicholson (44)
Canyon Creek Elementary
Linesmen
Head Off-Ice Official
John Grandt (98), Carl Sasyn (12)
Bill Boll
Today’s Schedule
RCH @ TOR: 3:00
BRI @ ALB: 5:05
WBS @ STJ: 7:30
LV @ ADK: 7:00
GR @ CHA: 7:00
RFD @ HAM: 7:00
POR @ HFD: 7:00
HER @ SPR: 7:00
BNG @ SYR: 7:00
PRO @ WOR: 7:00
MAN @ NOR: 7:15
LE @ CHI: 7:00
MIL @ IA: 7:00
SA @ OKC: 7:00
UTI @ TEX: 7:00
Texas Stars: Media Notes
TONIGHT’S MATCHUP
Tonight’s game is the first of four matchups this season between the Texas Stars and Utica Comets. Last season, the
Stars won the regular season series winning both meetings between the two clubs, and outscoring the Comets 10-4 overall.
Tonight’s game also marks a return to Cedar Park Center for Utica’s Dustin Jeffrey, who was a member of the Stars’
Calder Cup-winning squad last season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
For the Stars, Justin Dowling currently leads the team with three points (one goal, two assists) through their first two
games of the season. For the Comets, Brendan Gaunce is tied for the team lead with three points (one goal, two assists)
and leads Utica with a +3 rating through three games this season.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
Stars goaltender Jussi Rynnas put together a 20-save performance in a 4-2 win on opening night, his first appearance in a
Stars uniform. The Comets’ Jacob Markstrom has given up just a goal through his first two appearances of the season,
stopping 52-of-53 shots in net. Joacim Eriksson turned aside 25 shots in his only appearance this season for Utica, a 3-2
overtime loss at Toronto.
HOME/ROAD SPLITS
The Stars won their first home game of the season, and carried the AHL’s best home record last season at 29-8-0-1. The
Comets are currently 2-0-1-0 on the road this season, and were 19-15-3-1 last year in the league.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Tonight’s matchup is the third all-time meeting between Texas and Utica. The Stars have won the previous two matchups,
once at home and once at Utica.
LAST TIME OUT – TEXAS STARS
The Stars spoiled the home opener for the Oklahoma City Barons on Friday with a 3-2 win. Jack Campbell stopped 37
shots for his first win of the season, and Jyrki Jokipakka tallied the game-winner with a power play goal late in the second
period.
LAST TIME OUT – UTICA COMETS
The Comets continued their early road success with a 3-0 shutout of the San Antonio Rampage on Friday night. Jacob
Markstrom stopped 28 shots in the win. The Comets picked up goals from Alex Biega, Brendan Gaunce, and Carter
Bancks.
RECENT TRANSACTIONS
October 17 – Maxime Lagace (G) reassigned by Dallas (NHL) from Idaho (ECHL)
October 15 – Mike Dalhuisen (D) and Jesse Root (F) recalled from Idaho (ECHL)
October 14 – Curtis McKenzie (F) recalled by Dallas (NHL)
October 13 – Curtis McKenzie (F) reassigned by Dallas (NHL)
October 12 – Curtis McKenzie (F) recalled by Dallas (NHL)
ROOKIE PARTY
Through the first two games this season, rookie skaters for the Stars have all made early contributions. Julius Honka (one
goal, one assist), Derek Hulak (one goal), John Klingberg (one goal), Gemel Smith (one assist), and Branden Trook
(one assist) have all found their way on the scoresheet.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Stars defenseman Cameron Gaunce will square off against his younger brother, Brenden Gaunce, who is a forward for
the Utica Comets. Cameron was drafted in the second round by the NHL’s Colorado Avalance in 2011. Brendan was a
first-round pick of the Vancouver Canucks in 2012.
OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMEN
The Texas Stars have tallied seven goals through their first two games this season. Four of those goals have been scored
by defensemen.
STARS DEBUT NEW COACHING STAFF
The Texas Stars debut a new coaching staff this season in Derek Laxdal and assistant Karl Taylor. Laxdal returns to the
Dallas Stars organization, where he spent five seasons as the head coach of the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads and won the
2007 Kelly Cup. Laxdal spent the past four years as head coach of the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings, and won the CHL’s
2014 Memorial Cup. Former Stars head coach Willie Desjardins and assistant Doug Lidster both departed after the past
two seasons to take over for the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks.
RALLO RETURNS
Greg Rallo was a member of the Texas Stars’ inaugural roster in 2009-10 and appeared in 147 games over the franchise’s
first two seasons before departing for the San Antonio Rampage (Florida Panthers). This offseason, Rallo chose to sign
and return to the Texas Stars for the 2014-15 campaign. The forward entered this season ranked among the Stars
th
th
th
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franchise career leaders in goals (6 , 45), assists (7 , 53) points (7 , 98), power play goals (5 , 16), game-winning goals
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th
(5 , 10), and overtime goals (4 , 4).
McKENZIE SET FOR SOPHOMORE SEASON
Last season Curtis McKenzie won the Dudley “Red” Garrett Award as the AHL’s Rookie of the Year after tallying 65 points
(27 goals, 38 assists) in 75 games. The sixth-round pick started training camp with the NHL’s Dallas Stars before being
assigned to Texas to begin his second professional season.
CALDER CUP CHAMPIONSHIP DEFENSE
The Texas Stars enter the 2014-15 campaign as the AHL’s defending Calder Cup Champions, defeating the St. John’s
IceCaps in five games in the Final a season ago. The last time the AHL saw a Calder Cup repeat-champion was in 200910, when the Hershey Bears defeated the Texas Stars in six games.
THE LAST ORIGINAL STARS
Three players on this season’s Texas Stars roster remain from the team’s inaugural season. Maxime Fortunus, Travis
Morin and Greg Rallo all skated for the Stars in 2009-10. Fortunus and Morin have remained staples in the team’s lineup
over the past five seasons, while Rallo spent three years with the San Antonio Rampage and Florida Panthers before
returning to Texas this year.
HONKA MAKES HIS PRO DEBUT
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18-year-old Julius Honka makes his professional debut this season in Texas, after being selected 14 overall by the Dallas
Stars in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. The Finnish defenseman spent last season with the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos on
loan from his junior club in Finland. After beginning training camp in the NHL, Honka was assigned to spend this season
with the AHL’s Texas Stars.
RECENT MILESTONES
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th
October 17 at OKC - Kevin Henderson tallied the 100 point of his AHL career, an assist, and appeared in his 300 AHL
game.
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th
October 11 vs. IA - Justin Dowling tallied the 50 goal of his pro career. Maxime Fortunus tallied his 100 assist as a
Texas Star.
UPCOMING MILESTONES:
- #9 Derek Meech is 5 points shy of 200 in his AHL career, and 6 games shy of 400 in his AHL career
- #15 Scott Glennie is 2 assists shy of 50 in his AHL and professional career
- #23 Travis Morin is 1 goal shy of 100 in his AHL and Texas Stars career, 1 assist shy of 200 in his AHL career, 2
points shy of 300 in his AHL career, 2 assists shy of 200 in his Texas Stars career, and 3 points shy of 300 in his
Texas Stars career.
- #24 Cameron Gaunce is 7 games shy of 300 in his professional career
- #27 Greg Rallo is 2 points shy of 100 and 5 goals shy of 50 in his Texas Stars career
Player Notes
#1 Jack CAMPBELL – 4th AHL Season/4th TEX Season… 1st round pick (11th overall) by the Dallas Stars in 2010… Went 12-2-2
last season with a 1.49 GAA and .942 SV% before being cut short by injuries… Made a career-high 42 saves on Mar. 30, 2013
vs. Grand Rapids… Represented Team USA at five straight World Junior Championships on the U18 and U20 squads from 20082012…
#2 William WRENN – 3rd AHL Season/3rd TEX Season… 2nd round pick (43rd overall) by the San Jose Sharks in 2009… Played
two seasons at the University of Denver and two seasons with the Portland Winterhawks (WHL) prior to turning pro… Teammates
with Jack Campbell at the 2009 U18 World Championships, winning a gold medal Team USA…
#3 Jyrki JOKIPAKKA – 2nd AHL Season/2nd TEX Season… 7th round pick (195th overall) by the Dallas Stars in 2011… Attended
the NHL Prospects Tournament with Dallas in Traverse City, Michigan, adding two assists and a +1 rating in four games…
Scored his first career goal on Nov. 30, 2013 at Grand Rapids…
#4 John KLINGBERG – Rookie… 3rd AHL Season/3rd TEX Season… 5th round pick (131st overall) by the Dallas Stars in 2010…
Scored his first career goal on Oct. 11, 2014 vs. Iowa… Teammates with former Star, Patrik Nemeth, at the 2012 U20 World
Championships, winning a gold medal for Sweden…
#7 Julius HONKA – Rookie… 1st AHL Season/1st TEX Season… 1st round pick (14th overall) by the Dallas Stars in 2014…
Scored his first career goal on Oct. 11, 2014 vs. Iowa… Attended the NHL Prospects Tournament with Dallas in Traverse City,
Michigan, appearing in four games with a goal and two assists… Selected to compete in the 2014 CHL Top Prospects Game…
Won a bronze medal with Finland at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia…
#8 Kevin HENDERSON – 6th AHL Season/3rd TEX Season… Appeared in his 300th AHL game and tallied his 100th AHL assist on
Oct. 17, 2014 at Oklahoma City… Scored his first career goal on Mar. 21, 2010 at Lowell… Won the 2009 University Cup as CIS
National Champions with the University of New Brunswick, leading the team with 50 points…
#9 Derek MEECH – 9th AHL Season/2nd TEX Season… 7th round pick (229th overall) by the Detroit Red Wings in 2002… Has
appeared in 144 career NHL games with Detroit and Winnipeg… Won the 2008 Stanley Cup with Detroit… Two-time AHL AllStar with Grand Rapids (2007) and St. John’s (2013)… Won the 2001 Memorial Cup with the Red Deer Rebels (WHL)…
#10 Justin DOWLING – 5th AHL Season/3rd TEX Season… Scored his 50th career pro goal on Oct. 11, 2014 vs. the Iowa Wild…
Tallied the sixth hat trick in Stars history on Jan. 26, 2012 against San Antonio… Named to the 2013 ECHL All-Star Game with 46
points in 34 games for the Idaho Steelheads…
#11 Branden TROOCK – Rookie… 2nd AHL Season/2nd TEX Season… 5th round pick (134th overall) by the Dallas Stars in
2012… Attended the NHL Prospects Tournament with Dallas in Traverse City, Michigan, tallying an assist and +2 rating in four
games… Played five seasons for the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL), scoring 101 points (45 goals, 56 assists) in 144 career
games… Appeared in the 2012 CHL Top Prospects Game…
#13 Mike DALHUISEN – Rookie… 2nd AHL Season/1st TEX Season… Four-year letter winner at Quinnipiac University…
Earned a gold medal at the 2006-07 U18 World Junior Championships with the Netherlands… Earned a silver medal at the 200506 U18 World Junior Championships with the Netherlands…
#14 Gemel SMITH – Rookie… 1st AHL Season/1st TEX Season… 4th round pick (104th overall) by the Dallas Stars in 2012…
Attended the NHL Prospects Tournament with Dallas in Traverse City, Michigan, tallying a goal, five assists, and a +4 rating in
four games… Tallied 203 points (89 goals, 114 assists) in 264 career games for the Owen Sound Attack and London Knights
(OHL)… Won a bronze medal for Canada at the 2012 U18 World Championships…
#15 Scott GLENNIE – 5th AHL Season/5th TEX Season… 1st round pick (8th overall) by the Dallas Stars in 2009… Had a Gordie
Howe Hat Trick in Game 1 of the Calder Cup Final last season… Scored his first career goal on Apr. 20, 2011 vs. Milwaukee in
Game 4 of a playoff series… Tallied 308 points (121 goals, 187 assists) in 252 career games with the Brandon Wheat Kings
(WHL) and reached the 2010 Memorial Cup Final…
#16 Curtis McKENZIE – 3rd AHL Season/3rd TEX Season… 6th round pick (159th overall) by the Dallas Stars in 2009… Named
the AHL’s Rookie of the Year (Dudley “Red” Garrett Award) in 2013-14… Scored the 11th hat trick in team history on Apr. 12,
2014 at San Antonio… Tied the Stars single-game record with four assists on Jan. 17, 2014 at Charlotte… Reached the 2010
NCAA Frozen Four with Miami (OH ) University…
#18 Maxime FORTUNUS – 12th AHL Season/6th TEX Season… An original Texas Star… Named the third captain in team
history on Oct. 12, 2012… Enters the season ranked among the franchise all-time leaders in games played (2nd, 337), assists (3rd,
98), and points (4th, 133)… Scored the first goal in franchise history on Oct. 2, 2009… Only player to appear in every Calder Cup
playoff game in team history… Has appeared in three Calder Cup Finals with Manitoba (2009) and Texas (2010, 2014)… 16th
player in AHL history to play 100 career Calder Cup Playoff games…
#19 Brendan RANFORD – 2nd AHL Season/2nd TEX Season… 7th round pick (209th overall) by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010…
Attended the NHL Prospects Tournament with Dallas in Traverse City, Michigan, tallying three goals and a+3 rating in three
games… Set a franchise playoff record with a five-game goal streak and six-game point streak on May 13, 2014 in Game 3 of the
Conference Semifinal at Grand Rapids… Tallied his first career goal and assist on Oct. 18, 2013 at San Antonio…
#20 Brett RITCHIE – 3rd AHL Season/3rd TEX Season… Attended the NHL Prospects Tournament with Dallas in Traverse City,
Michigan, tallying two goals, an assist, and a +3 rating in two games… Set a Stars single-game record with four goals and tied
the single-game record with five points on Apr. 4, 2014 vs. Lake Erie… Scored his first career goal on his first shot on April 5,
2013 vs. Oklahoma City… Teammates with Jamie Oleksiak on the Niagra IceDogs (OHL) in 2011-12…
#21 Jesse ROOT – Rookie… 2nd AHL Season/1st TEX Season… Completed a four-year collegiate career at Yale University with
92 points (35 goals, 57 assists) in 122 games… Won the 2013 NCAA Frozen Four National Championship with Yale… Scored
the OT winner over Minnesota in the NCAA Regional Semifinal round, and the game-winner over North Dakota to send Yale to the
Frozen Four… Cousin of NFL Hall of Fame Quarterback Dan Marino…
#23 Travis MORIN – 8th AHL Season/6th Season… 9th round pick (263rd overall) by the Washington Capitals in 2004… An
original Texas Star… Honored last season as the 2013-14 AHL Most Valuable Player (Les Cunningham Award), Regular Season
Scoring Champion (John B. Sollenberger Award, 88 points), and Calder Cup Playoff MVP (Jack A. Butterfield Award)… Won the
2009 Kelly Cup (ECHL) with the South Carolina Stingrays… Enters this season among the franchise career leaders in games
played (2nd, 345), goals (1st, 99), assists (1st, 196), points (1st, 295)… Holds the franchise record for points (88) and assists (56) in
a season…
#24 Cameron GAUNCE – 5th AHL Season/3rd TEX Season… 2nd round pick (50th overall) by the Colorado Avalanche in 2011…
Tied a Stars record for most assists (4) and plus/minus rating (+5) in a single-game on Apr. 14, 2013 at San Antonio… Scored his
first career goal with Lake Erie on Jan. 12, 2011 at Hamilton… Traded by the Avalanche to the Dallas Stars on Apr. 2, 2013 for
Tomas Vincour… Younger brother, Brendan, was drafted by the Vancouver Canucks in the 1st round (26th overall) in 2012 and
currently plays for the Utica Comets…
#25 Taylor PETERS – 2nd AHL Season/2nd TEX Season… Attended the NHL Prospects Tournament with Dallas in Traverse City,
Michigan, appearing in three games… Scored his first career goal, shorthanded, on Oct. 26, 2013 at Milwaukee… Played five
seasons of junior hockey with the Portland Winterhawks (WHL), scoring 116 points (45 goals, 71 assists) in 319 career games…
Reached the 2013 Memorial Cup Final with Portland…
#27 Greg RALLO – 9th AHL Season/3rd TEX Season… An original Texas Star… Tallied 98 points (45 goals, 53 assists) in 147
career games with Texas, prior to joining the Florida Panthers organization… Appeared in two Calder Cup Finals with Manitoba
(2009) and Texas (2010), as teammates with Maxime Fortunus both times… Won the 2007 Kelly Cup (ECHL) with the Idaho
Steelheads under head coach Derek Laxdal…
#28 Matej STRANSKY – 2nd AHL Season/2nd TEX Season… Attended the NHL Prospects Tournament with Dallas in Traverse
City, Michigan, scoring three goals and an assist in three games… Scored his first career goal on Oct. 20, 2013 vs. Abbotsford…
In 2012-13, led the Saskatoon Blades (WHL) in assists (45) and plus/minus (+32), tied for the team lead in points (85) and was
second in goals (40)… Father, Vladamir, played pro hockey in Czechoslovakia, older brother, Vit, plays pro and younger brother,
Simon, currently playing junior in the Czech Republic…
#29 Radek FAKSA – Rookie… 3rd AHL Season/3rd TEX Season… 1st round pick (13th overall) by the Dallas Stars in 2012…
Attended the NHL Prospects Tournament with Dallas in Traverse City, Michigan, tallying two goals, three assists, and a +2 rating
in four games… Scored his first career goal on Apr. 12, 2014 at San Antonio… Led the OHL in rookie scoring (67 points) in
2011-12… Won the “Breakaway Challenge” at the 2012 CHL Top Prospects Game…
#39 Derek HULAK – Rookie… 2nd AHL Season/2nd TEX Season… Scored his first AHL goal on his first-ever shot on Mar. 27,
2014 at San Antonio… Two-time CIS All-Canadian First Team with the University of Saskatchewan (CIS)… Named the 2014
University Cup MVP with Saskatchewan… Tallied 242 points (95 goals, 147 assists) in 267 career WHL games with the Regina
Pats and Saskatoon Blades…
#40 Jussi RYNNAS – 4th AHL Season/1st TEX Season… Recorded a 31-33-5 AHL record with Toronto from 2010-2013, with a
2.64 GAA and .910 SV%... Spent last season in the Finnish Elite League with a 28-5-7 record, and led the league with a 1.51
GAA and .939 SV%...