2023 Texas Stars Offseason Player Tracker

SEASON SYNOPSIS

The Texas Stars rocketed to the top of the Central Division in the 2022-23 season, finishing in first place with a 40-20-9-3 record.  Much of their scoring success came at even strength, however, as their power play struggled throughout the season. They finished with an 18.2% conversion rate, putting them 20th in the league. They had better luck on the penalty kill, finishing fifth in the league with an 83.7% success rate. 

The Stars had a first round bye, and then proceeded to sweep the Rockford IceHogs in the Central Division Semifinals. This was a reverse of the 2021-22 season, where the IceHogs swept the Stars. In the Central Division Finals, the Stars took on the Milwaukee Admirals. The Admirals received an influx of experienced players at the conclusion of the Nashville Predators’ season. While Texas fought hard in the series — including a 4-3 double overtime win — they ultimately lost the series 3-2 and were eliminated. 

A quartet of experienced players led the way for the Stars this season. Riley Barber, captain Curtis McKenzie, Tanner Kero, and Marian Studenic were the top four scorers for the Stars this year. As of July 1, McKenzie is the only player of those four slated to return to the Stars for the 2023-24 season. 

Newcomers Mavrik Bourque and Matej Blumel both had strong showings and will look to improve on that in the coming season. Blumel made his NHL debut last season as well, and both players should push for NHL ice time this season.

(List updated as of Aug. 31st, 6:00pm CT)

UNDER CONTRACT AND RE-SIGNINGS

Forwards

• Matej Blumel — Last year of entry-level contract
• Mavrik Bourque  — Second-to-last year of entry-level contract
• Oskar Back — Last year of entry-level contract
• Antonio Stranges — Second-to-last year of entry-level contract
• Curtis McKenzie — Signed a two-year AHL contract extension on June 2
• Fredrik Karlstrom — Signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract on June 6
• Ben Berard — Signed a one-year AHL contract on June 21 (played for Cornell University [NCAA] and the Texas Stars in 2022-23)
• Nick Caamano — Signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract on July 3
• Scott Reedy — Signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract on July 3
• Riley Damiani — Signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract on July 14

Defensemen

• Artyom Grushnikov — First year of entry-level contract (played for Hamilton Bulldogs [OHL] and Texas Stars in 2022-23)
• Thomas Harley — Last year of entry-level contract
• Alexander Petrovic — Signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract on June 7
• Michael Karow — Signed a two-year AHL contract extension on June 12
• Jerad Rosburg — Signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract on June 30

Goaltenders

• Remi Poirier — Second-to-last year of entry-level contract
• Matt Murray — Signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract on June 15

NEW ADDITIONS

Forwards

• Gavin Bayreuther — Signed a one-year, one-way NHL contract on July 2 (played for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Cleveland Monsters in 2022-23)

Defensemen

• Derrick Pouliot – Signed a one-year, two-way NHL contract on July 4 (played for the San Jose Sharks and Barracuda in 2022-23)
• Ben Zloty – Signed a one-year AHL contract on July 31 (played for the Winnipeg ICE of the WHL in 2022-23)

Goaltenders

• Bryan Thomson – Signed a two-year AHL contract on July 26 (played for the Lethbridge Hurricane of the WHL in 2022-23)

DEPARTURES

Forwards

• Fredrik Olofsson — Traded to Colorado Avalanche on June 15 for future considerations
• Rhett Gardner — Signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Philadelphia Flyers on July 1
• Marian Studenic — Signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Seattle Kraken on July 1
• Riley Tufte — Signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Colorado Avalanche on July 1
• Tanner Kero — Signed a one-year AHL contract with Colorado on July 18
• Riley Barber — Signed a one-year contract with Barys Astana of the KHL on August 3

Defensemen

• Oskari Laaksonen — Signed a two-year contract with Luleå HF (SHL) on May 26
• Ryan Shea — Signed a one-year, one-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 1
• Ben Gleason — Signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Edmonton Oilers on July 2 
• Will Butcher — Signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 3
• Dawson Barteaux — Signed a one-year AHL contract with Manitoba on July 18

Goaltenders

• Adam Scheel – Signed a one-year AHL contract with the Chicago Wolves on July 10
• Dylan Wells — Signed a PTO with Nashville on August 31

(Special thanks to CapFriendly and Elite Prospects for all the contract terms and definitions for this offseason player tracker!)

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Other 2023 AHL Off Season Trackers :

Links will be updated as articles are released.

Central

• Chicago Wolves
• Grand Rapids Griffins
• Iowa Wild
• Manitoba Moose
• Milwaukee Admirals
• Rockford IceHogs
• Texas Stars

Pacific

• Abbotsford Canucks
• Bakersfield Condors
• Calgary Wranglers
• Coachella Valley Firebirds
• Colorado Eagles
• Henderson Silver Knights
• Ontario Reign
• San Diego Gulls
• San Jose Barracuda
• Tucson Roadrunners

Atlantic

• Bridgeport Islanders
• Charlotte Checkers
• Hartford Wolf Pack
• Hershey Bears
• Lehigh Valley Phantoms
• Providence Bruins
• Springfield Thunderbirds 
• Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

North

• Belleville Senators
• Cleveland Monsters
• Laval Rocket
• Rochester Americans
• Syracuse Crunch
• Toronto Marlies
• Utica Comets