Photo via Dallas Stars
It was fun while it lasted for Kamloops native Logan Stankoven at Madison Square Gardens.
About eight hours after confirming that they called up the former Kamloops Blazers captain, the Dallas Stars announced that they had reassigned Stankoven back to the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League.
Stankoven – who was on the ice in New York during warmups – was in the running to make his long awaited NHL debut tonight, if some of the Stars veterans weren’t able to play against the Rangers.
“Stankoven was called up, but we’ve got some game-time decisions,” Dallas head coach Peter DeBoer said earlier today.
“If they can’t go, he’ll play. If they can, he’ll be the extra.”
He would have been the fourth Blazer to make his NHL debut this season joining former teammates Fraser Minten in Toronto, Connor Zary in Calgary, and Olen Zellweger in Anaheim.
Logan Stankoven on the ice at Madison Square Gardens on Feb. 20, 2024. (Screengrab via Bally Sports Southwest)
The 20-year-old Stankoven currently leads all AHL skaters in points (57). He’s also second in goals (24) and fourth in assists (33) in 46 games, and leads all rookies in goals, assists, points, and shots on goal (147).
Stankoven was named the AHL rookie of the month for November and played in the AHL All-Star game in San Jose earlier this month.
“Logan is extremely competitive. He is a very dedicated athlete and he’s put an absolute ton into his game to get to this point, starting at really early age,” Blazers Head Coach and GM Shaun Clouston said on NL Mornings Tuesday.
A second round pick of the Stars in 2021 NHL Entry Draft, Stankoven put up 260 points (115 goals and 145 assists) in 180 games with the Blazers. He was named CHL Player of the Year as an 18-year-old, and captained the Blazers when they hosted the 2023 Memorial Cup last summer.
“It’s exciting for the whole organization,” Clouston added of Stankoven’s potential NHL debut. “You want players to have an opportunity to reach their goals, to live their dream.”
“It’s extremely competitive and for Logan to have gone through his junior career here with the Blazers and now advance and lead the American league is scoring and have an opportunity to hopefully get in some NHL games before the end of the season is great.”
Stankoven is expected to rejoin the Texas Stars in Grand Rapids, Michigan ahead of their game against the Griffins tomorrow night, Feb. 21.
That was a short stint. There is salary cap implications to have him up and not playing. It’s a matter of time though. https://t.co/w6oai8A0mm
— Jon Keen (@JonKeenNLSports) February 21, 2024
