Logan Stankoven’s 21st birthday will be one to remember.

While the Kamloops native and former Blazers captain played his first NHL game with the Dallas Stars on Saturday, it will be pucks from his second career game that find its way onto the mantle.

“He was all over it all night, drawing penalties, scored a goal, set up another one,” Stars head coach Peter DeBoer said of Stankoven, who was named first star on the night at the American Airlines Center.

“I thought he was one of our better players tonight, a lot of energy, a lot of second-effort energy. He’s fitting right in.”

Stankoven’s first point of his fledgling NHL career came at 7:11 into the second period, a secondary assist on a game tying power play goal from Matt Duchene. That tally also happened to be the 800th point of Duchene’s NHL career.

Then, with less than two minutes to go in the middle frame, Stankoven found the twine for the first time when he beat Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin with a shot through traffic from the left side of the net, off a pass by Wyatt Johnston.

YOU COULDN’T SCRIPT IT ANY BETTER! 😍😍😍😍@LoganStankoven 🚨 https://t.co/tqy3Dzv5cm

— Kamloops Blazers (@blazerhockey) February 27, 2024

The Islanders, who gave up the lead twice on the night, went on to win the game 3-2 in overtime, courtesy Bo Horvat’s winner 2:54 into the extra frame.

“It’s nice to get that first goal, would have been nicer to cap it off with a win,” Stankoven said post-game. “Everything besides winning was super cool, and [I’m] really grateful. The crowd was great, and the fans treated me really well.”

Just like they were in Raleigh on Saturday, Stankoven parent’s Wes and Deanna as well as his sister, Macie, were in the crowd in Dallas Tuesday night.

Quite a moment for the Stankoven family. 💚😭 #NYIvsDAL#TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/AAXOQEl3Jh

— Jeff K (@jeffk_stars) February 27, 2024

Drafted 47th overall by the Stars in the second round of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Stankoven is currently tied for the most points in the American Hockey League this season, with 57 in 47 games. He also leads all rookies in goals (24), assists (33), points, and shots on goal (151).

The AHL rookie of the month for November, Stankoven also played in the AHL All-Star game in San Jose earlier this month.

Now he is making his case to stay up with the big club for good.

“He’s just talented. He works hard,” Duchene said of Stankoven, according to the Dallas Morning News. “He’s moving his feet. He’s got really good feet. I didn’t realize how good a skater he was. He sees the ice well. He does everything well.”

“You can see why he had huge numbers in juniors. He looks like he’s for sure ready to make this step full time.”

Logan Stankoven’s first @NHL goal on his 21st birthday in front of the home crowd and his family in Victory Green.

Draw it up better. ✍️ pic.twitter.com/Pl4pQTPapX

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) February 27, 2024

First of many. One for the memory books 📸📖 pic.twitter.com/JcrV2BJsyx

— Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) February 27, 2024