Coaching continuity throughout the organization is paying tangible dividends for the Dallas Stars as the NHL club navigates a mounting injury list by drawing directly from its AHL affiliate in Cedar Park.
Behind the seamless integration of recent call-ups is a shared tactical framework established by coaches who previously played under current personnel. Glen Gulutzan, during his tenure heading the Texas Stars from 2009 to 2011, coached current Texas assistant coaches Travis Morin and Max Fortunus. He subsequently coached Toby Petersen, now the head coach of the AHL affiliate.
That deep-rooted organizational connection was tested during Sunday’s 6-3 victory over the Islanders, a contest where Dallas played without Matt Duchene, Sam Steel, Oskar Bäck, Radek Faksa, and Esa Lindell. To fill the gaps, the club summoned Matthew Seminoff and Dylan Hryckowian from the minors.
“You’ve got to be connected, and I think Petey, Mo and Forty do a great job down there,” Gulutzan said regarding the AHL staff. “We’re playing the identical systems this year. I’ve watched the coaches work, and they’re detailed, so when the kids come up, they’re in the right spots.”
The transition proved smooth on the ice. Seminoff logged 8:53 of ice time, recording two shots on goal and one hit, while Hryckowian skated 10:03, notched one shot on goal, and finished plus-1. Forward Robertson, who scored two goals in the win, praised the organization’s developmental depth.
“It’s special having two guys come up and make their debut,” Robertson said. “I think our farm system in Texas, even back when I was there, they do a great job preparing guys for moments like this. Since I have been here, guys have come in and they know what to do.”
Seminoff, a 22-year-old sixth-round draft pick of the Stars in 2022, is currently in his fourth season with the Texas affiliate, tallying 7 points on one goal and six assists across seven games. Hryckowian, also 22, signed as a free agent out of Northeastern University and has recorded 8 points on three goals and five assists in eight AHL games.
For Hryckowian, the call-up carried added significance as he shares the ice with his older brother, Dallas forward Justin Hryckowian. In a gesture acknowledged by the players, Gulutzan placed both brothers on a line with Jamie Benn to start the game—a nod to Benn’s own history playing alongside his brother.
“There’s so much respect for the organization and the coaching staff to do that,” Justin said. “They didn’t have to do that and putting us out there with Jamie, who played with his brother, that was special. We’ll remember that forever.”
With none of the injured players practicing on Monday and recently signed free agent David Perron not yet ready for game action, the two rookies may find themselves back in the lineup for Tuesday’s matchup against the New Jersey Devils.
Dylan Hryckowian, who earned AHL Rookie of the Year honors after posting 60 points in 67 games during the 2024-25 season, emphasized that the identical structural systems make the jump to the NHL far less daunting.
“I think it’s pretty easy, because the systems are pretty similar if not exactly the same, so it makes the transition a little easier,” Hryckowian said. “There’s less thinking and you can just show up and play. I loved my time down there and it grew me into an NHL player.”
