ESPN

The latest in a series on top prospects of the Dallas Stars looks at right wing Alex Chiasson, who wrapped up his college career at Boston University this past season and then played briefly with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League.

Chiasson, who was a junior, led BU in scoring with 46 points (15 goals, 31 assists) in 38 games. His 46 points were fourth among all Hockey East players and tied him for 15^th among all players nationally.

The 21-year-old Quebec native got off to a slow start, but picked up points in 18 of his final 22 games, registering 32 points (10 goals, 22 assists) during that stretch.

“I stepped up after Christmas and had a solid second semester,” Chiasson said. “It was a great year in that we made it to the tournament. We had a good team, good young guys and good chemistry. I was just trying to be a leader in my third year and tried to lead by example.”

A couple days after Boston University was knocked out of the NCAA tournament by Minnesota, Chiasson signed an entry-level contract with Dallas and then joined the Texas Stars. He played nine games with Texas, picking up five points (one goal, four assists).

“He’s a big man, right shot. He’s more cerebral than I thought he was. He’s been well coached,” said Scott White, Texas Stars GM and Dallas Stars Director of Minor League Operations. “The detail of his game defensively is good, he makes good decisions with the puck, he’s strong along the wall and I sense that will improve because he’ll get some added strength over the summer, which he needs. He’s got a big frame; he just needs to fill out a little bit.”

Chiasson is listed at 6-4, 202 pounds. He was a second round pick (38^th overall) in 2009. He’s expected to start next season with the Texas Stars, but should get a good look at training camp in the fall.

“He had three good seasons at Boston University and he stepped into Texas and didn’t miss a beat,” said Les Jackson, Dallas Stars Director of Player Personnel. “He was a good player in all the games he played there. Like all these young guys, it opens their eyes to what they have to expect at the next level.

“He definitely has the physical attributes and the talent to be a good pro. It will just be a matter of adjusting and it will just be a matter of seeing how long it takes to play at that level before he challenges for the NHL. But he is a really good prospect.”

The latest in a series on the top prospects of the Dallas Stars looks at forward Austin Smith, who played his final year of college hockey at Colgate last season and then played 12 games with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League.

At the college level, the Dallas native had a spectacular season. He registered 57 points (36 goals, 21 assists) in 39 games. The 36 goals were tops in the nation and the 57 points ranked third. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, which goes to the top player in college hockey. He was named the College Hockey News National Player of the Year and was the ECAC’s Player of the Year.

“It was a great year. It was really fun,” Smith said. “At the end I was disappointed I didn’t win the Hobey. I pretty much got every other award I could have for the year. That says a lot about our program and our team. Not for me, but I kind of wanted to win the Hobey for my school and for Texas hockey. It really had nothing to do with me; I just wanted to have it for those two things.”

After his college career ended, Smith signed a two-year entry level contract with Dallas that will kick in next season. He also joined the Texas Stars on an amateur tryout contract, registering three assists in 12 games. Smith had plenty of scoring chances, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

“I think it’s a good test for me early in my career to learn what it takes to get the puck in the net, and to know that you are going to go through some hot streaks and some streaks where it really doesn’t go,” Smith said. “It’s a really good experience in that regard.”

The Stars also saw that time in Texas as a good experience for Smith, a speedy, skilled forward that the team selected in the fifth round (128th overall) in the 2007 NHL Draft.

“I think it was a good opportunity for him to play and see what that level was all about,” said Les Jackson, Dallas Stars Director of Player Personnel. “He did especially well in playing for Texas. The only thing he didn’t do was score and that was frustrating for him. I think it is just a matter of time; he has a history of scoring.

“I think it was good for him. A lot of young guys come in from playing at different amateur levels and think they are close to the NHL, and they find out the AHL is a good league and that you have to be a good player there to make the NHL. I think that was his own college lesson to the play there to find out what he is up against and what he has to do to prepare for next year.”

The 23-year-old Smith is expected to play with Texas next season.

The latest in a series on top prospects of the Dallas Stars looks at defenseman Jamie Oleksiak, who played in the Ontario Hockey League this past season and is expected to turn pro next season.

After playing at Northeastern University in 2010-11, Oleksiak decided to change his development path and signed on with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League for the 2011-12 campaign. He played the first half of the season with the Spirit, registering 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists)in 31 games.

Just prior to the OHL trade deadline he was dealt to the Niagara IceDogs in exchange for a defenseman, two prospects and five draft picks as Niagara tried to beef up its lineup for a run at the OHL championship.

Oleksiak, who is listed at 6-7, 252 pounds, had 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) and a plus-27 rating in 28 games for Niagara, which finished first in the Eastern Conference and tied for the second best record overall in the OHL.

“I’m so pleased we were able to get (Oleksiak),” Niagara coach and general manager Marty Williamson told the St. Catharines Standard. “It changes the dynamics of our team. I see guys who don’t even try to hit him because it’s useless. He’s so strong they try and do other things, which is ideal. I can’t say enough. To have another big body out there that is good in his own zone makes our forwards and our team better. He was a big pickup for us.”

Oleksiak had four assists and a plus-two rating in 20 playoff games as the IceDogs made it to the OHL finals, but lost to the London Knights in five games.

“Oleksiak had a real good season,” said Les Jackson, Dallas Stars Director of Player Personnel. “The move from college to junior was a good one. He went from the college schedule to the busy OHL schedule, and that was really good for Jamie. All the reports were really positive that he made some really good strides this year.”

Oleksiak, Dallas’ first round pick (14th overall) in 2011, also played for Canada at the 2012 World Junior Championship, picking up no points and a plus-two rating as the Canadians won a bronze medal at the tournament.

There’s more to Oleksiak than just his size. He’s also very mobile for a big man, and he can move the puck efficiently.

The Toronto native, who signed an entry-level contract with Dallas last October, is expected to play for the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League next season as he embarks on his professional career.

“He’s ready for the next step of pro,” said Jackson. “I suspect he’ll go into Texas and be a big minute player there, and you’ll see his game go to another level. I think for a young guy he has done extremely well.”

The latest in a series on the top prospects of the Dallas Stars looks at goaltender Tyler Beskorowany, who played for the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League this past season.

Texas, which missed the playoffs for the first time in its three-year history, had a rough season, and so did Beskorowany. He posted a 10-19-0 record with a 3.39 goals against average and .886 save percentage.

It was a step back for the 22-year-old, a second round pick (59th overall) in 2008, who was in his second professional season.

“If you were to ask him he would be disappointed in his season. He had moments where he looked like he was going to grasp it, but he really never got a hold,” said Les Jackson, Dallas Stars Director of Player Personnel. “I am sure he is frustrated with the way the season went. He had a great opportunity to take the net when we got Richard (Bachman) up to the big team, but he kind of floundered all year.”

After Bachman was called up to Dallas in late November, Beskorowany won five of his first nine starts, but then he struggled the rest of the season, posting a 4-11-0 record with a 3.99 goals against average and .875 save percentage.

Beskorowany, who has excellent size (6-4, 212 pounds) and quickness, made only one relief appearance over the final few weeks of the season as highly touted Jack Campbell joined the team after his junior career finished and started Texas’ final 12 games of the season.

“It will be interesting to see how (Beskorowany) preps this summer, how he takes the lessons from last year and how he learns from them and moves ahead,” Jackson said. “He’s at a crossroads of his young career. He’s going to have to find out how bad he wants to be a pro and how bad he wants to be a player.

“He certainly has the physical tools to be a player; it’s going to be whether he’s dug in enough mentally to decide that he wants to put the work in and how bad he wants this. He's got a lot of questions to ask himself about how bad he wants to be a player.”

Beskorowany will enter next season in the third and final year of his entry-level contract.

ESPN.com's Cassidy Hubbarth caught up with former Stars center Mike Modano to discuss his playing days and to get his pick to win the Stanley Cup.

All the Dallas Stars playing at the 2012 World Championship are now finished as the USA, Canada and Sweden were all eliminated in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Stars forward Loui Eriksson had one goal and one assist, but Sweden lost 4-3 to Czech Republic. Czech forward Milan Michalek scored the game-winner with 29 seconds remaining. Eriksson finished with 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in eight games, leading Sweden in goals and finishing second on the team in points.

Defenseman Alex Goligoski had no points in Team USA’s 3-2 loss to Finland. Finland’s Jesse Joensuu scored two goals, including the game-winner with just nine seconds remaining. Goligoski ended the tournament with five points (one goal, four assists) and a plus-seven rating in eight games.

Stars goalie Richard Bachman, who played in one tournament game, was the backup to Jimmy Howard for Team USA on Thursday.

Forward Jamie Benn had no points in Canada’s 4-3 loss to Slovakia. Slovakia’s Michael Handzus scored a power play goal with 2:28 left, snapping a 3-3 tie. Benn ended up with five points (three goals, two assists) in eight games.

Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen is out for the rest of the tournament for the Finns due to a minor knee injury.

Forward Tomas Vincour, who was on the Czech's travel roster for the tournament, was not among the 25 players his country registered to play in the tournament, so he is not eligible to play any games.

Thursday’s results (quarterfinals)

Slovakia 4, Canada 3
Russia 5, Norway 2
Finland 3, USA 2
Czech Republic 4, Sweden 3

Saturday’s games (semifinals)

Russia vs. Finland, 6:30 a.m.
Czech Republic vs. Slovakia, 10:30 a.m.

DALLAS -- Ten years after leaving the Dallas Stars organization, Bob Gainey returned Wednesday and was formally introduced as the team’s new Senior Advisor to the Hockey Department.

“It's a good time for me because I have followed the trail of the changes and the progress in the NHL from the administrative view over the past 20 years,” Gainey said during a press conference at American Airlines Center. “We’ve had a number of changes to the CBA, there’s been expansion and big changes a few years ago on how the game is played on the ice with rule changes. I've been able to live and adapt through all of that and take certain parts out of each of them that can apply today.”

The 58-year-old Gainey, who was acting in a similar capacity with the Montreal Canadiens until a couple months ago, said he will be a “consultant without boundaries.” He will offer input on various issues throughout the organization, on both the hockey side and the business side.

“I’ve had many experiences in pro hockey over a long period of time in the NHL,” Gainey said. “My goal would be to use some of those experiences, some of those valuable lessons learned to assist Tom Gaglardi in his ownership position, to assist Jim Lites in his position as president and CEO and to assist Joe Nieuwendyk in his operation of the hockey department in any way possible to bring the Dallas Stars in a better competitive light, better financial light and to rejoin in the sports community in Dallas as an important player.”

Gainey, who won five Stanley Cups as a player with Montreal, was the head coach of the Stars from 1990 to 1996 and general manager from 1992 to 2002. He was the architect of the Stars’ 1999 Stanley Cup championship team. He was GM in Montreal from 2003 to 2010, making the playoffs four of five years and finishing with the best record in the Eastern Conference in 2007-08.

“Bob Gainey is a winner,” said Lites. “We want to win the Stanley Cup. That's our goal, and that’s all we’re thinking about. Having a person of Bob's stature will help us get there.”

As far as Gainey’s exact responsibilities and how everything will work, that is still a work in progress.

“As we move ahead we’ll continue to define the description of things,” said Nieuwendyk. “Using Bob as a resource, so much history, so much experience, wisdom and insight, I will be able to benefit a lot from those things. We’ll define things as we move along. From my perspective, it’s a tremendous opportunity. I am really looking forward to communicating with Bob on a number of levels with team related issues.”

And it will take some time for Gainey to re-familiarize himself with the organization. He’ll spend time learning the players so he can offer input on that side of things.

“An outside set of eyes can bring a different view. Somebody that is overvalued, I might have a different view of that or somebody that is undervalued, I could have a different view of that,” Gainey said. “I am going to need to see training camp, some of the season and some of the games in Austin to be able to apply my opinion and my analysis to the players that are in the system.”

The hiring of Gainey is another step in the process as the Stars try to move forward Gaglardi, who said turning around a team that has missed the playoffs four years in a row will take time, but that adding someone of Gainey’s caliber on the management side of things is a big boost.

“We want to get better and we need to get better obviously and that's a process, unfortunately,” Gaglardi said. “I wish there were quicker ways to get there, but the only way to do this the right way is with young players and through the draft and developing players. That's what I've learned in my stint as an owner in another league (Western Hockey League) and I don’t think it’s any different in this league. Free agency is one route to get better, but it's wrought with pitfalls. You have to be very smart, and at some level lucky, to benefit that way. And obviously there are trades.

“The best way I know how to get better is to have great management, so it’s exciting for me to have a man of Bob’s experience, status and wisdom express a desire to join our organization. It was a no-brainer for us.”

Jeremy Roenick and former Stars center Mike Modano join "SportsCenter" to talk about the Stanley Cup playoffs.

DALLAS -- Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen suffered a minor knee injury at the World Championship, according to Dallas goaltending coach Mike Valley.

Lehtonen was injured in Sunday's game between Finland and the United States when Team USA forward Bobby Ryan was tripped and then slid into Lehtonen, who left the game and did not return.

Valley said the injury, which is not serious, will likely sideline Lehtonen for two to three weeks. He should be fine after that.

Lehtonen will not play for Finland for the rest of the World Championship, which enters the playoff round on Thursday.

Thursday’s World Championship games (quarterfinals)
Canada vs. Slovakia, 5:00 a.m.
Russia vs. Norway, 7:45 a.m.
USA vs. Finland, 10:30 a.m.
Sweden vs. Czech Republic, 1:15 p.m.

Alex Goligoski scored a goal as Team USA defeated Switzerland 5-2 in its final game of the preliminary round at the World Championship on Tuesday. Team USA finished second in Group H and will play Finland in the quarterfinal on Thursday.

Forward Jamie Benn had no points and one shot on goal in Canada’s 5-1 victory over Belarus. Canada, which finished first in Group H, will play Slovakia in the quarterfinals.

Forward Loui Eriksson scored a goal for Sweden, which ended preliminary play with a 4-0 victory over Latvia. The Swedes finished second in Group S and will take on Czech Republic in the quarterfinals.

Defenseman Philip Larsen picked up an assist in Denmark’s 6-2 loss to Norway on Tuesday. Larsen ended the tournament with two assists and minus-six rating in seven games. He led Denmark, which finished 13th in the tournament, with 25:05 of ice time per game.

Wednesday is a day off at the tournament. The quarterfinals are on Thursday.

Tuesday’s games

Canada 5, Belarus 1
Norway 6, Denmark 2
Slovakia 5, France 4
Czech Republic 8, Germany 1
USA 5, Switzerland 2

Thursday’s games (quarterfinals)

Canada vs. Slovakia, 5:00 a.m.
Russia vs. Norway, 7:45 a.m.
USA vs. Finland, 10:30 a.m.
Sweden vs. Czech Republic, 1:15 p.m.

Here is the latest in a series of updates on the top prospects of the Dallas Stars. This one looks at forward Reilly Smith, who joined the team at the end of the season after wrapping up his college career at Miami University.

Smith, as a junior, had 30 goals in 39 games, finishing second in the nation to fellow Stars prospect Austin Smith. His 48 points were tied for tenth in the nation.

Smith, a third round pick (69th overall) in 2009, was named First Team All-CCHA, Second-Team All-American by Inside College Hockey, and was among the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award. In his three years at Miami he registered 122 points (66 goals, 56 assists) in 121 games.

“The confidence has been a huge factor for me in being able to find the back of the net, and also the physical aspect of it. I’ve put on a lot of weight and strength over the three years at Miami,” said Smith, who was 160 pounds when arrived at Miami and was 185 pounds when he left. “All of that correlated to my success in college hockey.”

After his college career ended he signed a three-year entry-level with Dallas and was put on the NHL roster, making his debut in a game at Edmonton on March 28. He played 4:05 and had one shot on goal.

“Even though I played only four minutes I tried to soak in every moment of it. Just being in Edmonton and having so much history around you, being a small part of it was a great experience,” Smith said. “Being my first NHL game it was phenomenal, getting the win was great and I got my feet wet for the next game in Vancouver.”

Smith played 8:39 and had no points in that game against Vancouver, was a healthy scratch for the next three games and then played in the season finale against St. Louis, picking up no points and two penalty minutes in 12:28 of ice time.

“He has some real nice attributes as far as an offensive player goes. He just needs to become more familiar with our defensive structure and getting used to playing with pro players,” said Stars coach Glen Gulutzan. “I think he is going to be a good player in the future.”

The 21-year-old Smith, who is a left shot but plays both right and left wing, has speed, skill and a good shot. He’s projected as a top six forward.

“Reilly has been a real good player from the time we drafted him. He had a real good college career. It was nice that he got into a few games in Dallas to give him a preview of what the NHL is all about and to see what it takes to play at that level,” said Les Jackson, Dallas Stars Director of Player Personnel. “He’s showed at every level he’s played at that he is a good player. Now it will be his challenge to go to the American League or to our team, if he makes it, to learn the lessons to adjust to be a good pro. I think it will take him some time, but he’ll be a good offensive player at the pro level.”

As for Smith’s chances of starting next season at the NHL level, Jackson said time will tell.

“That will depend on his summer and how he comes in,” Jackson said. “Realistically the first step should be playing in the American League and being a good player there, but if he is good enough to bypass that it will be great for us. Time will tell that for sure.”

Defenseman Philip Larsen was the only Dallas Star playing at the World Championship on Monday. He had no points, two shots and a plus-one rating in 24:40 of ice time as Denmark won its first game of the tournament, defeating Latvia by a 2-0 score.

Finland, which is without injured Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen, defeated Kazakhstan 4-1 on Monday. Lehtonen is out “until further notice” with a lower body injury. The Finns also were without defenseman Anssi Salmela, who was suspended for three games for his hit on Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski in Sunday’s game against the United States.

Tuesday is the final day of the preliminary round.

Monday’s games

France 2, Belarus 1
Denmark 2, Latvia 0
Finland 4, Kazakhstan 1
Russia 4, Italy 0

Tuesday’s games

Canada vs. Belarus, 4:15 a.m.
Norway vs. Denmark, 5:15 a.m.
Slovakia vs. France, 8:15 a.m.
Czech Republic vs. Germany, 9:15 a.m.
USA vs. Switzerland, 12:15 p.m.
Sweden vs. Latvia, 1:15 p.m.

The International Ice Hockey Federation has suspended Finland's Anssi Salmela three games for his hit on Team USA defenseman Alex Goligoski in Sunday's game between the two teams.

The incident happened in the third period of the Team USA's 5-0 victory. Salmela hit Goligoski from behind, sending him violently into the endboards. Salmela was given a boarding major and a game misconduct. Goligoski was shaken up on the play but finished the game.

Here's video of the hit:

Dallas Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen is out with a lower body injury for Finland at the World Championship.

Lehtonen was injured in the third period of Sunday's 5-0 loss to the United States when Team USA's Bobby Ryan was tripped and then slid into him. Lehtonen left the game after stopping 25 of 30 shots in the loss.

According to the International Ice Hockey Federation, Finland said that Lehtonen is out "until further notice."

Here's the video of the play where Lehtonen was injured.

Dallas Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen left Sunday’s World Championship game between Finland and the United States with a lower body injury after a collision with Team USA’s Bobby Ryan.

It happened with just over seven minutes left in the game when Ryan fell on Lehtonen in the Finnish crease. Lehtonen left the game and was replaced by Petri Vehanen.

There was no immediate word on the specifics of Lehtonen’s injury or the extent.

“Lehtonen is injured. That is all I know,” Finland coach Jukka Jalonen told media after the game.

Lehtonen stopped 25 of 30 shots in the game, which the USA won 5-0. It was a rough outing for Lehtonen, who was knocked around a few times in the crease by a U.S. team that dominated play from the drop of the puck.

Earlier in the third period, Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski was shaken up when he was hit from behind and slammed hard into the endboards by Finland’s Anssi Salmela, who received a boarding major and game misconduct. Goligoski returned to the game. Salmela is expected to face disciplinary action from the IIHF.

Goligoski had one assist and three shots on goal in 18:50 of playing time for the USA, which clinched a berth in the quarterfinals with its victory.

Stars goalie Richard Bachman backed up Jimmy Howard, who stopped all 18 shots he faced to earn the shutout for Team USA.

Sunday’s games

USA 5, Finland 0
Russia 2, Czech Republic 0
Slovakia 1, Switzerland 0
Norway 12, Germany 4

Monday’s games

Belarus vs. France, 8:15 a.m.
Latvia vs. Denmark, 9:15 a.m.
Kazakhstan vs. Finland, 12:15 p.m.
Italy vs. Russia, 1:15 p.m.