The Dallas Stars made a sizable trim to their training camp group Wednesday morning, cutting 13 players as the roster continues to take shape. Some of the moves were expected. Others landed a little harder.
The biggest surprise was Jack Becker. After a strong season with the AHL’s Texas Stars, where he put up 40 points in 71 games, Becker also flashed right away in preseason action.
In Dallas’ opener Sunday against the St. Louis Blues, he scored the eventual game-winning goal.
Even with that kind of start, he was released from his professional tryout. He still remains eligible to return to Texas for a third season with the organization.
Defenseman Aram Minnetian was another notable name in the group. Dallas placed him on waivers after he joined the AHL club late last season and finished with three points in eight games from the blue line. The 2023 fourth-round pick is expected to go back to Texas for his first full professional season as he keeps working to match the promise of his draft slot.
The Stars also placed forwards Justin Ertel, Christian Fitzgerald, Ayrton Martino and Charlie Paquette on waivers, along with defenseman Connor Punnett.
Three more players were released from professional tryouts: Becker, Benjamin Gleason and Kyle Looft. Ryan Brown, Mikhail Cherepanov, Brandon Gorzynski and Jakub Vaněček were sent back to their junior clubs.
After the moves, Dallas’ training camp roster is down to 39 players. The Stars now turn to another home-and-home preseason set, this one against the Minnesota Wild, starting Wednesday and wrapping up with the second game on the road Friday.
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