Stars Name Melnick and Baptiste Alternate Captains
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 2, 2021 Weblink: https://bit.ly/3kD5dg8 Stars Name Melnick and Baptiste Alternate Captains CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, announced today that forwards Josh Melnick and Nick Baptiste have officially been named alternate captains for the team. They join captain Cole Schneider in wearing leadership letters for the 2020-21 season. “We definitely know we have a lot of leaders on this team. So, it was important for us to take our time and be thorough,” said Stars Head Coach Neil Graham. “I'm really happy with the conclusion of Josh Melnick and Nick Baptiste and I think we have a nice complement between our three letters. We have a little bit of everything.” Melnick, 25, is in his second pro season with the Stars after logging 16 points (5-11=16) in 55 AHL games in his rookie campaign and is tied for third on the roster this year with six points (1-5=6) in seven outings. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound center from Annandale, New Jersey led the Stars forwards last year with a +9 rating and was third among rookies on the team in points and goals The Miami University alum was named captain in his senior campaign and paced the RedHawks with 26 points (10-16=26). In four collegiate seasons from 2015 to 2019, Melnick logged 107 points (38-69=107) across 140 NCAA games. “Josh is (in his second year with the team) and the details of his game are very good,” said Graham on Melnick. “He leads by example, both in practice and games and he’s a very approachable guy. He's quiet by nature, but when he speaks, you listen, and you respect him for it.” Baptiste, 25, is in his first year with the Stars, having played his first five professional seasons between the AHL and NHL. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound winger has played in 272 AHL games to date while recording 130 points (65-65=130) in addition to 47 NHL games and 10 points (7-3=10). The Ottawa, Ontario native was taken in the third round of the 2013 NHL Draft after four years in the OHL where he captained the Sudbury Wolves and helped the Erie Otters to the 2015 Robertson Cup Final. “Nick is first-year Texas Star, but he's a guy who's had a lot of success and a lot of experience in the American Hockey League, as well as the National Hockey League,” said Graham on Baptiste. “He has done a great job, embracing the team, talking to the younger players, and showing them what pro habits are. He's been a good leader on and off the ice as well.” The Stars begin a three-game road trip on Wednesday, Mar. 3 at 7:30 p.m. CT as they face the Tucson Roadrunners at Tucson Convention Center Arena. The Stars and Roadrunners will play three of their six meetings this season across four nights from Mar. 3 to Mar. 6. The Texas Stars are the primary development affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars. For more information, call (512) GO- STARS (467-8277) or visit TexasStars.com. Photo Credit: Mollie Kendall TEXAS STARS: H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. 2100 Avenue of the Stars. Cedar Park, TX 78613. 512-600-5000. CONTACT: Brian Tosti. Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations. 512-600-5016, [email protected]. H-E-B CENTER AT CEDAR PARK SAFETY GUIDELINES All Texas Stars games are subject to State of Texas and local governMent guidelines for helping the community stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cloth face coverings over the nose and Mouth are required for all employees and guests for this event. Fans should familiarize themselves with the full list of H-E-B Center safety measures before attending any events by visiting HEBCenter.coM/plan-your-visit/covid-19-safety-measures. ASSUMPTION OF RISK By purchasing or otherwise accepting a ticket to Texas Stars games, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 (coronavirus) exists in any public place where people are present. For the full terMs and conditions, please visit HEBcenter.coM/events- tickets/assumption-of-risk. 2020-21 SEASON FAQ For More inforMation pertaining to the 2020-21 Texas Stars season and COVID-19 safety protocols taken by H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, visit TexasStars.com/tickets/2021-season-faqs. For More inforMation on full or partial season ticket packages call 512-GO-STARS, e-mail [email protected] or visit TexasStars.com. TEXAS STARS CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS AND SUITE LICENSES For a customized advertising package for your coMpany contact Rebecca Miller, Senior Director, Corporate Sales & Sponsorship Services, Texas Stars and H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, at 512-600-5192 or [email protected]. ---- TEXAS STARS, AHL Affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars ---- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 3, 2019 Weblink: http://bit.ly/2MRAVql Joel L’Esperance Selected to 2020 AHL All-Star Classic SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts – The Texas Stars, American Hockey LeaGue affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars, and the American Hockey LeaGue announced today that center Joel L’Esperance has been selected to represent the Stars at the 2020 AHL All-Star Classic presented by Ontario International Airport. It is the second career selection for L’Esperance who skated in the 2019 AHL All-Star Classic in SprinGfield, Massachusetts. L’Esperance, 24, is the Stars leading scorer with 24 points (15-9=24) in 31 games and is tied for seventh in the AHL this year with 15 goals. The second-year forward was one of the top goal-scorers in the month of December and an offensive catalyst since mid-November. Twelve of his 15 Goals have been scored in the last 20 Games which ranks second most among AHL skaters. The 6-foot-2 Brighton, Michigan native joined Denis Gurianov last season at the 2019 AHL All-Star Classic durinG a breakout rookie campaign. L’Esperance scored 30 goals and added 15 assists in 54 games while also logging 18 games in the NHL with the Dallas Stars. Since turninG pro from MichiGan Tech University, he has scored 49 goals and recorded 25 assists in 115 NHL and AHL games. The Stars return to H-E-B Center at Cedar Park on Saturday to beGin a stretch of five consecutive home Games. Puck drop on Jan. 4 is set for 7 p.m. as the Stars face the Grand Rapids Griffins for the fourth time this season and the first time since Oct. 25. The Texas Stars are the primary development affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars. Full-season, 24-game and 12-game ticket packaGes for the 2019-20 campaign are on sale now. For more information, call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit TexasStars.com. Photo Credit: Mollie Kendall TEXAS STARS: H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. 2100 Avenue of the Stars. Cedar Park, TX 78613. 512-600-5000. CONTACT: Brian Tosti. Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations. 512-600-5016, [email protected]. BECOME A TEXAS STARS SEASON TICKET HOLDER For More inforMation on full or partial season ticket packages call 512-GO-STARS, e-mail [email protected] or visit TexasStars.com. TEXAS STARS IN THE COMMUNITY To schedule an event call Morgan Hurley, Texas Stars Foundation Director at 512-600-5186 or [email protected]. TEXAS STARS CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS AND SUITE LICENSES For a customized advertising package for your company contact Michael Delay, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Texas Stars and H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, at 512-600-5193 or [email protected]. ---- TEXAS STARS, AHL Affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars ---- .