Logan Stankoven at Dallas Stars' prospect camp in July (Image Credit: NHL.com)

By Chad Klassen

STANKOVEN IN DALLAS

Stankoven hoping to stick with Stars, preparing to return to Blazers

Sep 15, 2022 | 3:05 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s a long shot, but Logan Stankoven is trying to make the next step in his hockey career by cracking the Dallas Stars line-up as a 19 year old.

Stankoven has been skating with the big guns in Texas since last Monday before the prospects tournament, which begins Thursday night (Sept. 15).

“I think it’s just focus on making Dallas. As much as I love the Blazers, I love playing in my hometown, the next step is playing pro hockey, that’s what you want to focus on for right now,” he said.

Stankoven is now in Traverse City, Michigan where the Stars’ prospects are facing off against counterparts from Toronto, Detroit and St. Louis. It’s Stankoven’s second prospects tournament and after winning gold at the world juniors, he feels in tip-top shape for the tourney.

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“Obviously it’s been a couple weeks since the world juniors ended, so kind of in game shape already and I know what to expect the second time around,” he said. “Make sure I’ll be ready to go for main camp [Sept. 22-24] and maybe get into some exhibition games. It just depends on how I play and how I show up.”

Stankoven will be facing off at the prospects tournament against Blazers teammate Fraser Minten, the Leafs’ 38th overall pick at this year’s NHL Draft.

Minten will be back in Kamloops, Stankoven likely will be as well. The hometown kid is preparing for the reality of returning to the Blazers.

“For sure, I’m going to keep the Blazers in the back of my mind and make sure if I do come back, I have the possibility of playing in the Memorial Cup [and] I’m going to give it my all,” he said. “Hopefully have a successful season, both as a team and individually, and make that jump next year I guess.”

Even if Stankoven is sent back to Kamloops, he won’t be in the line-up for opening night on Sept. 23 against Portland and potentially beyond. Stars main camp runs from Sept. 22-24 and Stankoven is hoping to play a couple preseason games for Dallas.