OHL In The System: Dallas StarsThe latest instalment of OHL In The System takes a closer look at the Dallas Stars.
This 32-part series spotlights OHL players who are either signed to an NHL or AHL contract or are recently drafted, and are 25 years old or younger with 50 or fewer NHL games played.
Join us for OHL In The System!
Emil Hemming (RW) – Barrie ColtsSigned: July 15, 2024Age: 18Selected by the Dallas Stars in the first round, 29th overall at the 2024 NHL Draft, Emil Hemming signed a three-year entry-level contract with the organization on July 15, 2024. The Vaasa, Finland native was recently selected 15th overall by the Barrie Colts at the 2024 CHL Import Draft. The 18-year-old forward played last season professionally for TPA in the Liiga where he registered 11 points in 40 games. While representing Team Finland at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, Hemming registered two assists in seven games.
Tristan Bertucci (D) – Flint Firebirds (2021-24)Signed: March 14, 2024OHL Career Stats: 186 Games Played | 22 Goals | 85 Assists | 107 PointsAge: 19Chosen in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars, Tristan Bertucci signed an entry-level contract with the team on March 14, 2024. A native of Woodbridge, Ont., Bertucci was selected by the Flint Firebirds with the seventh overall pick at the 2021 OHL Priority Selection. Over three seasons with the Firebirds, the 19-year-old defenceman has registered 107 points in 186 regular season games played, adding nine points in 22 playoff contests. Bertucci was awarded a bronze medal with Team Canada at the 2023 U18 IIHF World Junior Championships.
Justin Ertel (LW) – North Bay Battalion (2022-24)Signed: March 11, 2024OHL Career Stats: 110 Games Played | 39 Goals | 66 Assists | 105 PointsAge: 21Selected by Dallas in the third round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Justin Ertel signed an entry-level contract with the Stars on March 11, 2024. North Bay’s third round selection at the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, the 21-year-old forward played two seasons in the OHL, registering 105 points over 110 regular season contests. During the 2023-24 season, Ertel tallied 69 points in 64 games played. Additionally, the Kitchener, Ont. native helped the Battalion reach the Eastern Conference Final in both 2023 and 2024, recording 25 points in 36 playoff matchups.
Connor Punnett (D) – Saginaw Spirit (2019-20), Barrie Colts (2019-24), Oshawa Generals (2023-24)Signed: March 7, 2024OHL Career Stats: 247 Games Played | 32 Goals | 88 Assists | 120 PointsAge: 21Originally selected by the Saginaw Spirit 19th overall at the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, Connor Punnett played four seasons in the OHL between the Spirit, Barrie Colts and Oshawa Generals, totaling 120 points in 247 regular season games played. Traded to the Generals midway through this past season, the 21-year-old blueliner registered four points in 16 playoff contests to help Oshawa reach the OHL Championship Series as Eastern Conference champions. The Powassan, Ont. native signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars as a free-agent on March 7, 2024.
Angus MacDonell (C) – Sarnia Sting (2021-23), Mississauga Steelheads (2022-24)Selected: 189th overall, 2023 NHL DraftOHL Career Stats: 181 Games Played | 71 Goals | 53 Assists | 124 PointsAge: 19The Sarnia Sting’s first round, 13th overall pick in the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Angus MacDonell has registered 124 in 181 regular games played between the Sting and the Mississauga Steelheads. The 19-year-old forward has added 11 points in 17 playoff contests. MacDonell was selected in the sixth round, 189th overall by the Dallas Stars at the 2023 NHL Draft. The Toronto, Ont. native won a bronze medal with Team Canada at the 2023 U18 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Brad Gardiner (C) – Ottawa 67’s (2021-24)Selected: 79th overall, 2023 NHL DraftOHL Career Stats: 188 Games Played | 38 Goals | 57 Assists | 95 PointsAge: 19Selected by the Ottawa 67’s in the third round of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, Brad Gardiner has tallied 95 points in 188 regular season games played over three season. Additionally, the 19-year-old forward has recorded three points in 21 playoff contests. The Aurora, Ont. native was chosen in the third round, 79th overall by the Dallas Stars at the 2023 NHL Draft.
Kyle McDonald (RW) – Windsor Spitfires (2018-22), North Bay Battalion (2021-23)Signed: March 10, 2023OHL Career Stats: 187 Games Played | 86 Goals | 55 Assists | 141 PointsAge: 22Kyle McDonald signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars as a free-agent on March 10, 2023. The Ottawa, Ont. native spent the 2023-24 season with the AHL’s Texas Stars, tallying 26 points in 58 games played. Originally selected by the Windsor Spitfires in the second round of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection, the 22-year-old forward played four seasons in the OHL between the Spitfires and the North Bay Battalion, registering 141 points in 187 regular season games played. McDonald helped the Battalion reach the Eastern Conference Final in 2022 and 2023, recording 30 points in 33 post-season contests. He scored the most goals (14) by any skater in the 2022-23 playoffs. On the international stage, McDonald won a silver medal with Team Canada Red at the 2019 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Christian Kyrou (D) – Erie Otters (2019-23), Sarnia Sting (2022-23)Signed: March 8, 2023OHL Career Stats: 153 Games Played | 38 Goals | 99 Assists | 137 PointsAge: 20Chosen by the Dallas Stars in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, Christian Kyrou signed a three-year entry-level contract with the franchise on March 8, 2023. The Toronto, Ont. native spent the 2023-24 season with the AHL’s Texas Stars, recording 23 points in 57 games played. Originally drafted by the Erie Otters in the fifth round of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, the 20-year-old blueliner played three seasons in the OHL between the Otters and the Sarnia Sting, tallying 137 points in 153 regular season contests. He helped the Sting reach the Western Conference Finals in 2023, registering nine points in 14 post-season matchups.
Gavin White (D) – Hamilton Bulldogs (2019-23), Peterborough Petes (2022-23)Signed: March 2, 2023OHL Career Stats: 145 Games Played | 23 Goals | 77 Assists | 100 PointsAge: 21The Dallas Stars’ fourth round pick at the 2022 NHL Draft, Gavin White signed a three-year entry-level contract with the club on March 2, 2023. The 21-year-old blueliner spent the 2023-24 season with the AHL’s Texas Stars, recording 11 points in 49 games played. Originally selected by the Hamilton Bulldogs in the third round of the OHL U18 Priority Selection, white played three seasons in the OHL between the Bulldogs and the Peterborough Petes, tallying 100 points in 145 regular season contests. The Brockville, Ont. native first hoisted the J. Ross Robertson Cup with Hamilton in 2022, registering nine points in 19 playoff matchups. Traded to the Petes midway through the 2022-23 season, White was again crowned an OHL champion, this time recording five points in 20 post-season contests.
Francesco Arcuri (RW) – Kingston Frontenacs (2019-23), Kitchener Rangers (2022-23)Signed: August 25, 2022OHL Career Stats: 197 Games Played | 89 Goals | 96 Assists | 185 PointsAge: 21Selected by the Dallas Stars in the sixth round of the 2021 NHL Draft, Fancesco Arcuri put pen to paper on August 25, 2022. The Toronto, Ont. native spent the 2023-24 season with the ECHL’s Idaho Steelheads, registering 46 points in 64 games played. Additionally, he appeared in one game with the AHL’s Texas Stars. Chosen by the Kingston Frontenacs in the second round of the 2019 OHL Priority Selection, the 21-year-old forward played three seasons in the League between the Frontenacs and the Kitchener Rangers, recording 185 points in 197 regular season games. Arcuri added 26 points in 20 playoff contests.
Antonio Stranges (LW) – Soo Greyhounds (2018-22)Signed: March 1, 2022OHL Career Stats: 187 Games Played | 63 Goals | 95 Assists | 158 PointsAge: 22Selected by the Dallas Stars in the fourth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, Antonio Stranges signed a three-year entry-level contract with the franchise on March 1, 2022. The Ann Arbor, MI. native has appeared in 83 AHL games with the Texas Stars over the past three season, tallying 15 goals, 21 assists and 36 points. Chosen in the second round of the 2018 OHL Priority Selection by the London Knights, the 22-year-old forward registered 158 points in 187 regular season games played over three seasons, along with 13 points in 17 playoff contests.
Tune in tomorrow as we check in on the Edmonton Oilers!
