Traverse City News and Notes
/Andrew's Dallas Stars Page
Playing at the NHL Prospects Tournament in Traverse City has been an adjustment of sorts for Stars prospect Scott Glennie, the eighth overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.
The 18-year-old forward is playing in a tournament that has several players who have already hit the pro ranks, including a few have already tasted the NHL level. That means it's a ramped up level of hockey.
"Definitely it's a lot faster pace here than junior and it's been a good experience so far," Glennie said after the Stars' practice in Traverse City Tuesday morning. "It's good to play against guys with that talent. You hope to be there one day and just playing with these guys is going to make you a better player. The experience right now has been unbelievable. Playing with some pro hockey players has been great."
Glennie, who can play either right wing or center, will be making the shift primarily to center this season, and he's been playing in the middle at Traverse City.
Glennie, who has been quiet in the first two games at this week's tournament, had 28 goals and 42 assists in 55 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the WHL last season, and racked up 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) in 12 playoff games as well.
That season had him ranked high for this summer's draft, but he went higher than most expected when the Stars took him at eighth overall. That's raised expectations.
"I went eighth overall, but I am just another guy trying to make the Dallas Stars. "If I look at it like that and work as hard as I can, everything will just fall into place."
Glennie hopes some things fall into place this coming season for a couple of reasons. One, Brandon is considered a strong contender to win the Western Hockey League title and go to the Memorial Cup tournament. Two, Glennie is under consideration to play for Canada's team at the 2010 World Junior Championship.
"We've got the Memorial Cup in Brandon this year and we've got to look at that first. The biggest thing for me this year is to win the WHL and the Memorial Cup," Glennie said. "At the same time to get into the World Junior, that is a big thing for me. If I could get that it would be an unbelievable season."
Notes
- The Stars did not play Tuesday. The full team
practiced in the morning at the Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City.
- The Stars play Columbus Wednesday at 2 p.m. Central Time. The Blue Jackets are 1-1-0 in the tournament so far.
Prospect Snapshot: Luke Gazdic
Among the prospects playing at the tournament who turn pro this season is Luke Gazdic, a 6th round (172nd overall) pick in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.
The 20-year-old left wing, who plays a physical game and is known for his fighting prowess, had 20 goals, 10 assists and 127 penalty minutes in 63 games with Erie of the Ontario Hockey League last season. He also played two games with Idaho of the ECHL, scoring one goal in two games.
Gazdic has one goal in two games so far at the tournament in Traverse City.
"Luke has improved a lot," said Texas Stars GM Scott White. "I like what I've so far in Traverse City. I think he's matured, he's physically stronger, he can skate and he knows his role. That's the most intriguing thing about Luke - he knows his role. "
