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The latest in a series on top prospects looks at forward Colton Sceviour, who had a career year with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League.

Sceviour, a fourth-round pick (112^th overall) in 2007, posted careers high in goals (21), assists (32) and points (53) while playing 75 games for Texas.

He accomplished that despite getting off to a slow start, registering just 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) in his first 27 games. Over his final 48 games he was almost a point-a-game player, picking up 42 points (18 goals, 24 assists).

“He had a really good season,” said Les Jackson, Dallas Stars Director of Player Personnel. “I think he has earned the opportunity to have a good look this fall.”

Sceviour, who is scheduled to be a restricted free agent on July 1, is a versatile, two-way player who can play all three forward positions. At the AHL level he has played both sides of special teams.

He played one game for the Dallas Stars in 2010-11, but did not get a call up this past season. That slow start to the season might have put him behind the eight-ball in that regard.

But the strong finish to the season has put him in position to compete for playing time in the NHL next season, or possibly even a roster spot, according to Jackson.

“I suspect he is right around having a role with the big team next season, whether it would be getting in a few games to get in game experience or grab a spot in the 10-14 (forward) group,” Jackson said.

Stars prospects Jamie Oleksiak and Brett Ritchie fell short in their bid to win the Ontario Hockey League championship and advance to the Memorial Cup.

Their Niagara IceDogs team lost 2-1 to London in Game 5 of the OHL Finals Friday night. London won the series 4-1.

Oleksiak, a defenseman who was taken in the first round (14^th overall) in 2011, had four assists and a plus-two rating in 20 playoff games. He is expected to turn pro next season and play for the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League.

Ritchie, a right wing who taken in the second round (44^th overall) in 2011, had three goals, eight assists and an even rating in 19 playoff games. He’s expected to stay in junior hockey next season.

Stars goaltender Richard Bachman made his first appearance at the World Championship on Friday, stopping 17 of 19 shots as Team USA defeated Kazakhstan in overtime, 3-2.

“I had a lot of things going through my head -- I was excited to throw on the USA jersey and be a starter for a game,” Bachman told USAHockey.com. “I hadn’t played in 10 days -- since I had a little game action in the exhibition against Sweden. For me, I was just trying to get comfortable with my surroundings and just settle in.”

Kazakhstan, which came into the game with an 0-4 record, gave the U.S. all it could handle and forced Bachman to make some quality saves throughout the game.

Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski had an assist, a game-high eight shots on goal and was a plus-three for the USA, which outshot Kazakhstan 50-19.

Carolina’s Justin Faulk scored two goals for the USA, including the game-winner with 22 seconds left in overtime.

Canada defeated Finland 5-3 on Friday. Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen had 21 saves on 25 shots for the Finns, who lost for the first time in the tournament. Stars forward Jamie Benn had no points, one shot and two penalty minutes for the Canadians.

Stars forward Loui Eriksson had two assists, a game-high 10 shots on goal, but Sweden fell to Russia 6-3 in a battle of unbeaten teams. Russia is now the only unbeaten in the preliminary round at 5-0-0.

Eriksson now has nine points (three goals, six assists) in five games and ranks second in scoring at the tournament to Russia’s Evgeni Malkin, who had five points (three goals, two assists) in Friday’s game and now has 12 points (six goals, six assists) in five games.

Vincour won’t play at tournament

The Czech Republic made it official Friday that Stars forward Tomas Vincour won’t play at the World Championship. The Czechs registered their final three players for the tournament to bring their active roster to the 25-man limit and Vincour wasn’t among them.

Friday’s games

USA 3, Kazakhstan 2 (OT)
Czech Republic 6, Italy 0
Canada 5, Finland 3
Russia 7, Sweden 7-3

Saturday’s games

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

Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski had no points and two shots on goal in Team USA’s 5-3 win over Belarus. Goaltender Richard Bachman backed up Jimmy Howard again, but could get the start in Friday’s game when the USA takes on Kazakhstan.

Defenseman Philip Larsen had no points and a game-high six shots on goal in Denmark’s 3-1 loss to Russia on Thursday.

Kari Lehtonen did not dress for Finland, which defeated France 7-1 and improved to 4-0-0 in preliminary round play. Finland plays Canada on Friday.

Tomas Vincour did not play for Czech Republic, which defeated Latvia 3-1.

Thursday’s games

USA 5, Belarus 3
Russia 3, Denmark 1
Finland 7, France 1
Czech Republic 3, Latvia 1

Friday’s games

Kazakhstan vs. USA, 8:15 a.m.
Italy vs. Czech Republic, 9:15 a.m.
Finland vs. Canada, 12:15 p.m.
Russia vs. Sweden, 1:15 p.m.

The Dallas Stars made the hiring of former GM Bob Gainey as a consultant official today. Gainey will be introduced at a press conference next Wednesday. Here's the release from the Stars.

The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has hired Bob Gainey as Senior Advisor to the Hockey Department.

Gainey, 58, returns for his second stint with the Stars’ organization. He was the club’s head coach from 1990-1996, and served as General Manager of the team from 1992-2002. Gainey was truly the architect in leading the Stars franchise to seven consecutive playoff berths, five division titles, two Stanley Cup Finals appearances, and of course, the 1999 Stanley Cup championship.

"I have great faith in the vision Tom Gaglardi, Joe Nieuwendyk and Jim Lites have in rebuilding this franchise,” said Gainey. “I'm looking forward to rejoining the organization, and lending my advice and guidance as we strive to get the Stars back on top."

"I'm extremely pleased that we are adding a respected hockey man the caliber of Bob Gainey as a senior advisor to our staff,” said Dallas Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk. “His experience and wisdom in this business is second-to-none, and he'll be an incredible asset as we continue to build our team to championship levels."

A native of Peterborough, Ontario, Gainey most recently worked in the Montreal Canadiens organization, serving in a variety of capacities, including general manager of the club from 2003-2010. He served as the Habs’ interim head coach on two occasions and was most recently a special advisor to the general manager. In his time with the Canadiens, he helped lead the team to playoff berths in four of five seasons as GM, including the 2007-08 season when Montreal ended the regular season with the Eastern Conference’s best record.

“The Stars had a fantastic opportunity to add a universally-respected hockey man in Bob Gainey to the mix, and his presence and voice will be extremely beneficial to the group moving forward,” said Stars President Jim Lites.

A 1992 inductee into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Gainey won five Stanley Cups as a player, an NHL-record four Selke Trophies as the league’s best defensive forward, as well as the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Most Valuable Player of the 1978 Playoffs. In 1,160 career regular season NHL games, all with the Montreal Canadiens, Gainey amassed 239 goals and 262 assists for 501 points. He added 73 points (25 goals, 48 points) in 182 career Stanley Playoff contests.

The Dallas Stars are close to hiring former GM Bob Gainey as a consultant, team president and CEO Jim Lites said Wednesday. An official announcement is expected next week.

“I’m a big fan,” Lites said. “We’re excited because of what Bob brings to this market, to this team and to the needs we’ve identified collectively. I just think he is going to be great.”

Gainey, who won five Stanley Cups with the Montreal Canadiens as a player, joined the Stars franchise as head coach in 1990 and became GM in 1992. He stepped down as coach in 1996, but kept the GM title through 2002. He was the GM when the Dallas Stars won the Stanley Cup in 1999.

He also served as Montreal’s GM from 2003-2010 and had been a consultant with the Canadiens until just recently.

Lites said Gainey could consult on a variety issues throughout the organization, especially as an extra voice of input for GM Joe Nieuwendyk.

“He’s actually offered to help in any way he can,” Lites said. “But’s he’s really going to be a senior adviser guy on issues like, not so much who should we hire as opposed to do we need to hire anybody? How do you want to grow? How do we make ourselves bigger and better? Do we need more experience in a particular place? Do we need a more experienced guy in Cedar Park and who should those candidates be?

“At the end of the day those decisions will be made by Joe but Joe will enjoy, I think, a deeper, richer voice. And Joe has been real supportive. Joe has good chemistry with Bob."

Lites added that the hiring of Gainey is another sign that Tom Gaglardi is willing to do what it takes to get the franchise on the right track.

“The market will appreciate that Tom Gaglardi is saying that I am going to make us better,” Lites said. “You don’t get Bob Gainey for ten bucks.”

Prospect Note: OHL Finals

Dallas Stars prospects Jamie Oleksiak and Brett Ritchie are on the brink of elimination in the Ontario Hockey League Finals. Their Niagara team lost 4-1 to London Wednesday night in Game 4 of the series.

London leads the series 3-1. Ritchie had an assist in Wednesday’s game. Game 5 is Friday night.

The winner of the series will advance to the Memorial Cup, which will feature the champions of the Western Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and this year’s host team, the Shawinigan Cataractes of the QMJHL.

Stars forward Loui Eriksson picked up an assist as Sweden improved to 4-0-0 with a 5-2 win over Germany at the World Championship on Wednesday.

Eriksson, who is playing on a line with Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen, leads the tournament in scoring with seven points (three goals, four assists) in four games.

Stars forward Jamie Benn had no points, no shots and was even in Canada’s 3-2 victory over Switzerland. Benn again played on a line with Chicago’s Patrick Sharp and Edmonton’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.

Forward Tomas Vincour is still with the Czech Republic team at the World Championship, but his chances of playing in the tournament appear to be dwindling. The Czech’s have been adding players to their roster as teams get eliminated from the NHL playoffs. Martin Erat of the Nashville Predators is the latest. Philadelphia’s Jakub Voracek could be next, and if he is added the Czech’s 25-man active roster for the tournament would be filled and there would be no room for Vincour.

Wednesday’s games

Slovakia 4, Kazakhstan 2
Norway 6, Italy 2
Canada 3, Switzerland 2
Sweden 5, Germany 2

Thursday’s games

USA vs. Belarus, 8:15 a.m.
Denmark vs. Russia, 9:15 a.m.
France vs. Finland, 12:15 p.m.
Czech Republic vs. Latvia, 1:15 p.m.

The Texas Tornado won the NAHL's Robertson Cup in Frisco last night defeating St. Louis 4-3 in overtime. Here's the release from the league:

Plano, Texas native Justin Greenberg pounced on a rebound and put a shot over St. Louis Bandits goaltender Spencer Viele to score in 4:36 into overtime to give the Texas Tornado their 5th Robertson Cup National Championship as they defeated the St. Louis Bandits 4-3 at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco on Tuesday night. It marked the third time a host team has won the Cup (Texas in 2004 and St. Louis in 2008) since the format was introduced in 2003-04.

St. Louis came out firing on all cylinders recording the first three shots of the game, but the Tornado seized control as the period went along, outshooting St. Louis 12-3 in the opening period. It ultimately led to the first goal of the game from Texas forward Marc Biggs, who fired a wrist shot over the left shoulder of Spencer Viele for a 1-0 lead late in the 1st period. Jack Prince and Lucas Whelan assisted.

The 2nd period was almost all Bandits, as they outshot Texas 15-12 and managed to record three goals. NAHL MVP Joe Kalisz tied the game at 1-1 as he found himself alone on the back door and got a loose puck from Josh Dangel and TJ Sherman to fire a shot over an outstretched Hunter Leisner. Texas came back to take a 2-1 lead on a fortunate bounced. Mitchell McPherson came down the left wing and centered the puck from a tight angle. Bandits defenseman Wes Elrod dove to deflect the pass, but the puck ricocheted right over the shoulder of Viele to give the Tornado the lead back. It didn’t last long as Stephen Bopp scored just a minute later to tie the game at 2-2 on a nice pass into space from Kalisz. Two minutes later, it was the Bandits taking their first lead of the night as Bopp found a streaking Drew Kariofiles, who one-timed a drive past Leisner for a 3-2 Bandits lead after two periods.

St. Louis went into defensive mode in the 3rd period trying to hang onto the one-goal margin, only recording four shots in the period. However, it wasn’t until 5:34 to go that the a desperate Tornado team managed to tie the game as Jordan Lovick fired a shot from the slot that snuck through Viele to tie the game at 3-3. Michael Hoy and Jackson Leef assisted.

As overtime started, the Tornado attacked from the start, not allowing the Bandits a shot on goal. After one close chance by Jack Prince was saved by Viele, Prince got the puck down the right wing and centered a pass to Justin's older brother Jordan Greenberg, whose shot was denied by Viele, but the rebound came right to the younger Greenberg who lifted a backhanded shot over an outstretched Viele for the National Championship-winning goal.

Texas played in an NAHL playoff-high six overtime games during the 2012 NAHL playoffs, including four in the Robertson Cup Tournament. The Robertson Cup title is the Texas Tornado organization’s fifth in team history and fifth since 2001. Only the Compuware Ambassadors (11) and the Paddock Pools Saints (7) have more Robertson Cup Championships.

Goaltender Kari Lehtonen, the only Dallas Star playing at the World Championship on Tuesday, stopped 26 of 28 shots as Finland improved to 3-0-0 with a 5-2 win over Switzerland.

Lehtonen is now 2-0 at the tournament with a 1.00 goals-against average and .959 save percentage, having stopped 57 of 59 shots.

Finland, Sweden and Russia are the only three teams with perfect records through the first six days of preliminary play.

Tuesday’s results

Belarus 3, Kazakhstan 2
Latvia 5, Italy 0
Finland 5, Switzerland 2
Russia 2, Germany 0

Wednesday’s games

Slovakia vs. Kazakhstan, 8:15 a.m.
Norway vs. Italy, 9:15 a.m.
Canada vs. Switzerland, 12:15 p.m.
Sweden vs. Germany, 1:15 p.m.

The Texas Tornado will take on the St. Louis Bandits for the NAHL championship tonight at the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco.

The Tornado are offering a special deal on tickets for tonight's championship tilt. Here's the release from the team:

The Texas Tornado are offering a special, $5 Fan Zone ticket to fans coming to tonight's Robertson Cup Championship game against the St. Louis Bandits. This deal will be available either by phone or at the box office, but only while the Fan Zone tickets last. You must use the password "$5 Fan Zone" when you order the tickets. Call 972-335-9800 or stop by the box office as early as 6:00 p.m. and take advantage of this offer. Opening faceoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco.

Dallas Stars forward Loui Eriksson had two goals and one assist in Sweden’s 6-4 victory over Denmark at the World Championship on Monday.

Eriksson leads the tournament with six points (three goals and three assists) in three games and is tied for first in goal scoring with three other players, including Canada's Jamie Benn.

Benn had two goals, one assist and a plus-4 rating in Canada’s 7-2 win over France on Monday.

Benn had new linemates Monday, playing with Chicago’s Patrick Sharp and Edmonton’s Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The trio combined for 11 points (five goals, six assists) in the game.

Benn has three goals in three games. His four points are tied for fifth in the tournament.

Defenseman Alex Goligoski had no points, no shots and an even rating in Team USA’s 4-2 loss to Slovakia. Richard Bachman did not play for the Americans. He was the backup to Jimmy Howard for the third straight game.

Defenseman Philip Larsen had one assist for Denmark in Monday's loss to Sweden.

Tomas Vincour did not play for the Czechs, who defeated Norway 4-3 on Monday.

Monday’s results

Canada 7, France 2
Czech Republic 4, Norway 3
Slovakia 4, USA 2
Sweden 6, Denmark 4

Tuesday’s games

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

The latest in a series on top Dallas Stars prospects takes a look at defenseman Brenden Dillon, who is coming off his first full season of professional hockey.

Dillon, a free agent signing out of the Western Hockey League in March 2011, had 29 points (6 goals, 23 assists) and 97 penalty minutes in 76 games with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League this past season. He ranked second on the team in scoring among defensemen.

“Brenden has been really good. At Traverse City (NHL Prospect Tournament) and his first NHL camp, he really opened some eyes,” said Scott White, Texas Stars GM and Dallas’ Director of Minor League Operations. “I think he adjusted well his first couple months and then he kind of had the dog days of January and February, where it kind of bit him a little bit, but all of a sudden he became our best guy in mid-February right through. He’s knocking on the door. He’s come a long way. He’s physical, he can skate and he can shoot it. I think his details on both side of the puck are improving daily.”

Dillon, 21, has good size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds), skates well, has some offensive tools and can play a physical, solid defensive game.

He got his first taste of NHL action in Dallas’ regular season finale against St. Louis and made a solid impression. He played 19:59 and registered a game-high six shots on goal. He also had four hits and three blocked shots.

After the game, Dillon received high marks from Dallas coach Glen Gulutzan, who had coached him at the end of the 2010-11 season when he joined Texas on an amateur tryout contract after his junior career had ended.

“I thought his game was strong,” Gulutzan said. “I can see he’s made strides from when I had him a year ago. I think you guys can judge for yourselves, but I think he’s going to be right around it come September.”

And the Stars do expect Dillon to be pushing for a job when training camp rolls around in Boise, Idaho.

“Brenden is right around the big team, I would say,” said Les Jackson, Dallas Stars Director of Player Personnel. “The last couple of years have really been good for him. The last year in Seattle (Western Hockey League) he took a really big step. This year he carried a lot of key minutes and played in a lot of key situations down there. He had his moments where he had his hardships, but overall it was a very positive year for him. I’d say he’s knocking on the door to make the big team in September.”

Defenseman Philip Larsen was the only Stars player to see action at the World Championship on Sunday. He had no points, four shots on goal and a minus-1 rating in Denmark’s 4-3 loss to Italy.

Larsen played a game-high 25:36 as Denmark fell to 0-2 in the tournament.

Kari Lehtonen served as the backup in Finland’s 1-0 victory over Slovakia on Sunday. The Finns improved to 2-0 at the tournament. Both wins have been by 1-0 scores.

Sunday’s results

France 6, Kazakhstan 3
Italy 4, Denmark 3
Finland 1, Slovakia 0
Russia 4, Norway 2
Switzerland 3, Belarus 2
Latvia 3, Germany 2

Monday’s games

France vs. Canada, 8:15 a.m.
Czech Republic vs. Norway, 9:15 a.m.
USA vs. Slovakia, 12:15 p.m. (NBC Sports Network)
Denmark vs. Sweden, 1:15 p.m.

Dallas Stars forward Loui Eriksson had two assists as Sweden defeated Czech Republic 4-1 Saturday at the World Championship.

Eriksson, who again played on a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen, has three points (one goal, two assists) in two tournament games.

Forward Tomas Vincour did not play for the Czechs.

Team USA beat Canada 5-4 in overtime. Alex Goligoski had no points, five shots on goal and a plus-one rating for Team USA.

Goaltender Richard Bachman served as the backup to Jimmy Howard for the Americans.

Jamie Benn had no points and was even for Canada.

Saturday’s results

Switzerland 5, Kazakhstan 1
Russia 5, Latvia 2
USA 5, Canada 4 (OT)
Sweden 4, Czech Republic 1

Sunday’s games

France vs. Kazakhstan, 4:15 a.m.
Denmark vs. Italy, 5:15 a.m.
Finland vs. Slovakia, 8:15 a.m.
Russia vs. Norway, 9:15 a.m.
Switzerland vs. Belarus, 12:15 p.m.
Germany vs. Latvia, 1:15 p.m.

Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen opened the 2012 World Championship with a shutout, stopping all 21 shots he faced as Finland defeated Belarus 1-0 in the first day of games at the tournament.

Lehtonen faced just two shots in the opening period but stopped 12 in the second and then seven in the third in posting the shutout.

Here’s a look at how the other Dallas Stars players fared on day one of the World Championship:

*Forward Jamie Benn scored the first goal of the game in Canada’s 3-2 win over Slovakia. Benn began the game on a line with Anaheim’s Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry.

*Forward Loui Eriksson had a power play goal in Sweden’s 3-1 victory over Norway. Eriksson played on a line with Detroit’s Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen. Joining that line on the power play unit when Eriksson scored his goal were Ottawa’s Daniel Alfredsson and Erik Karlsson.

*Defenseman Alex Goligoski had two assists and a plus-two rating in the USA’s 7-2 victory over France. Goligoski, who was second on the USA in ice time with 22:06, was paired with Carolina’s Justin Faulk.

*Richard Bachman served as the backup to Detroit’s Jimmy Howard, who stopped 21 of 23 shots for the Americans.

*Defenseman Philip Larsen had no points, three shots and a minus-two rating as Denmark lost 2-0 to Czech Republic. Forward Tomas Vincour did not play for the Czechs.

Friday’s results

USA 7, France 2
Germany 3, Italy 0
Canada 3, Slovakia 2
Czech Republic 2, Denmark 0
Finland 1, Belarus 0
Sweden 3, Norway 1

Saturday’s games

Switzerland vs. Kazakhstan, 7 a.m.
Latvia vs. Russia, 9:15 a.m.
Canada vs. USA, 11 a.m.
Sweden vs. Czech Republic, 1:15 p.m.