Brett Ritchie (Photo taken by Melissa Grissom)

The season continues in the major junior hockey leagues (WHL, OHL, & QMJHL) and some of your Dallas Stars prospects are continuing to make names for themselves. We will take a look at some of the prospect’s stats, and their current teams progress so far.

Radek Faksa – Center – Kitchner Rangers (OHL)

After a good start going 3-1-0 to begin the season the Kitchner Rangers have hit a bit of a stump losing their last two games, one in a shootout. Their record now stands at 3-2-1. Radek Faksa has picked up two more points in the two games since our last update and is now up to 6 points on the season (4g, 2a) continuing a point a game pace. Faksa has points in four of the six games this season and only has two penalty minutes.

Brett Ritchie- Right Wing- Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

Brett Ritchie has continued to make great progress since being traded to Niagara last season. Since our last update the IceDogs have struggled in their last six games going 2-4-0 bringing their season record to 5-4-0. The IceDogs are currently on a three game losing streak. Ritchie has continued to pick up points along with teammate Ryan Strome as they are among the top scorers in the OHL. Ritchie has picked up six assists in the six games since our last update bringing his season point total to ten (1g, 9a) in nine games.

Gemel Smith- Center- Owen Sound Attack

It was a bit of a slow start to the season for Gemel Smith in his first game he registered three points (1g, 2a) but then went pointless for four straight games. Since the Calendar turned to October Smith has picked up the play and is currently on a three game point streak with five points (1g, 4a) in his teams three games in October. Owen Sound have been on fire this season and are currently 6-1-1 on the year and lead the midwest division with 13 points.

Troy Vance- Defenseman- Victoriaville Tigres (QMJHL)

Vance and the Victoriaville Tigres have continued their up and down season currently with a record of 3-4-3. Vance leads all Victoriaville defensemen in points with 6 assists and continues to play top d-man minutes for the Tigres. Vance’s last game against Baie-Comeau Drakkar he ate a nasty -3 bringing his season plus-minus to +1.

Matej Stransky- Right Wing- Saskatoon Blades (WHL)

Much like the Blades so far this season Stransky has struggled mightly. The Blades are currently in last place of the east division with a record of 2-6-0 with only 17 goals for as a team. Stransky has 3 points (2g, 1a) and just one goal in the five games since our last update. The Blades will host the Memorial Cup this season and automatically get a spot in the tournament.

Even the young prospects face ups and downs in a season, but will continue to progress as they pave their own road to the NHL.

Brett Ritchie (Photo taken by Melissa Grissom)

Even though the NHL is in the middle of a nasty lockout right now, with no apparent end in sight, the junior hockey leagues’ (WHL, OHL, and QMJHL) regular seasons are in full swing and some of the Dallas Stars prospects have had hot starts. Below we will look at some prospects and their current progress and how their team is doing.

Radek Faksa- Center, Kitchener Rangers (OHL)

It’s been a pretty hot start for the Stars first round pick in this years entry draft. In four games this season Faksa has registered four points (3g, 1a) and registered these points in three of the four games.  Faksa scored two goals in Kitchener’s opening game agianst the Mississiauga Steelheads, and scored another goal in Kitcheners victory against the London Knights.  Kitchener is 3-1-0 to start the season.

Brett Ritchie- Right Wing- Niagara IceDogs (OHL)

The IceDogs are 3-0-0 to start of the season and Ritchie has been a big part of his teams success registering four points in the three games (1g, 3a) with a plus minus of +3.  Ritchie struggled last season playing for the Sarnia Sting and was traded mid season to Niagara where his game picked up completely and he became a big part of their success. Ritchie looks to continue that success this season.

Gemel Smith- Center- Owen Sound Attack (OHL)

Drafted by the Stars in the fourth round of this years draft, people compared Smiths game to that of a young Steve Ott with his grit and physical play, along with his physical stature (5’10 164 pounds) . Last season with Owen Sound Smith scored 60 points (21g, 39a). This season Owen Sound is off to a hot start after 3 games as they are 3-0-1 to start the season and in these four games Smith has registered three points (1g, 2a) in helping his team look for a successful year this season.

» Continue reading “Prospect Update: Junior Hockey in full swing”