It’s hard to believe it’s hockey season again already, but the Dallas Stars will kick off their 2008-2009 campaign on September 19th, as training camp opens at the Dr. Pepper StarCenter in Frisco. The first full day on the ice will be the following day, Saturday, and all training camp practices will be open to the public.

Of course, this will be Stars fans first chance to check-out new Star Sean Avery. Avery is one of those players you hate when they’re on the other team, but love when they’re on your roster. And, he brings back some of the same grit and attitude the ’99 Stanley Cup winning team had in players like Derian Hatcher, Richard Matvichuk and the “Little Ball of Hate”, Pat Verbeek. He’s also shown he knows how to bury the puck, scoring 15 goals twice in the last three seasons.

Many fans will also be eager to see some of the new, young faces that have been impressing scouts around the league at the 2008 NHL Prospects Tournament which has been going on this week in Traverse City, MI. The Stars finished tournament play with a 3-0-0 record, and will be facing the Atlanta Thrashers Prospects (also 3-0-0) in the championship game on September 17th at 5:30 PM CDT.

One of the most heralded young Stars that fans will be looking to see on the ice is Fabian Brunnstrom. The 23-year old played in the Swedish Elite League last year, and is looking to return to the form that allowed him to net 38 goals and amass 79 points in just 49 games playing for Boras HC. While the Swedish Elite League may still lack the skill you’ll find at the NHL level, it’s more than comparable to the talent at the major junior and even AHL levels, and Brunnstrom shows that he is ready to take the next step.

James Neal, the Stars 2nd round pick in 2005, had 3 goals and 3 assists for the Stars Prospects this year in the tournament, and has proven he can play well on the penalty kill. Neal will most likely start the year in the AHL, but if he continues the strong play he’s shown thus far, he might be a callup sometime this season.

Another young standout that will be fun to watch is Jamie Benn. Last season with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL (a junior league), Benn scored 33 goals and 32 assists (65 points) in 51 games, and had 11 points in 7 playoff games. He also turned heads in Traverse City. With just 50 seconds left in the game against the Columbus Blue Jacket Prospects on Sunday, Benn scored the game-winning goal.

This year is shaping up to be a very interesting and promising one, and fans will want to keep their eyes on these rising Stars.

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