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Dallas Stars: Taking a Look at the Stars’ Best Prospects

By Avery Klatsky

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: Miro Heiskanen poses for a photos after being selected third overall by the Dallas Stars during the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center on June 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 23: Miro Heiskanen poses for a photos after being selected third overall by the Dallas Stars during the 2017 NHL Draft at the United Center on June 23, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /
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GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 20: Miro Heiskanen #42 of Finland controls the puck against Republic of Korea during the Men’s Play-offs Qualifications game on day eleven of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 20, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
GANGNEUNG, SOUTH KOREA – FEBRUARY 20: Miro Heiskanen #42 of Finland controls the puck against Republic of Korea during the Men’s Play-offs Qualifications game on day eleven of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Gangneung Hockey Centre on February 20, 2018 in Gangneung, South Korea. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Defensemen

  • Miro Heiskanen

Miro, the Dallas Stars’ most promising prospect, was drafted 3th overall in last year’s draft.

Last season, Heiskanen scored 23 points (11 G, 12 A) in 30 games while on a loan to HIFK in the Liiga. He also played in several international tournaments for Finland, recording a total of 6 points (4 G, 2 A) in a total of 17 games. In 2017-18, he won the Pekka Rautakallio Award (given to the Liiga’s best defenseman), a Liiga bronze medal, and had the most time on ice (25:06) in the league.

In 2016-17, he made the U18 World Junior All-Star team and was selected as the best defenseman. In the tournament, he had the best plus/minus (+8), most assists (10), most points by a defenseman (12), and won a silver medal with Finland.

Heiskanen has great offensive skills for a defender, skates well, and appears to be someone who can become an elite defender in the NHL.

  • Chris Martenet

Chris Martenet was selected by the Dallas Stars in the 4th round (103rd overall) in the 2015 NHL draft.

While with the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL last season, Martenet scored five assists in 52 games played. In the 2016-17 season, he played with the London Knights and the Ottawa 67’s, recording a total of 16 points (5 G, 11 A) in 55 games (27 for London, 28 for Ottawa). Martenet had been playing for London since 2014.

  • Ondrej Vala

Ondrej Vala signed a three-year, entry-level contract with Dallas in September of 2016.

Vala scored 20 points (7 G, 13 A) in just 31 games with the Kamloops Blazers in the Western Hockey League (WHL) last season. He was traded to the Everett Silvertips three days before the WHL trade deadline and recorded eight assists in 28 games with the Tips.

In 2016-17, Vala put up 10 goals and 15 helpers in 60 games with Kamloops. He also played three games with the Texas Stars, where he had one assist.

  • John Nyberg

The Stars drafted John Nyberg in the 6th round (165th overall) in the 2014 draft.

Nyberg was on a loan last season to Frolunda HC “A” in the Swedish Hockey League, where he posted 13 points (2 G, 11 A) in 52 games. He played seven games for Sweden in terms of international play, where he had one assist.

In the 2016-17 season, Nyberg scored 15 points (7 G, 8 A) in 49 games with Frolunda.

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