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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.

CEDAR PARK, Texas -- Austin Smith was almost a goal a game guy in college this past season, but the goals didn’t come easy when he joined the Texas Stars for the final three weeks of the AHL season.

“I’ve had plenty of opportunities, hit a couple of posts, couple of good saves,” Smith said as the Texas Stars were preparing to play their final home game of the season. “Chances are coming and I am creating a lot. That’s what they are looking for and that is good. I’ve just got to keep plugging away.”

Smith, the Dallas native selected by the Dallas Stars in the 5^th round (128^th overall) of the 2007 draft, couldn’t find the back of the net in Texas’ final two games. He ended up with three assists in 12 games in his first taste of AHL action after a four-year college career at Colgate.

“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 12 AHL games were a good experience in many regards for the 23-year-old Smith, a speedy, skilled right wing who signed a two-year entry-level deal with Dallas after wrapping up his college career, and then joined Texas on an amateur tryout contract.

“There’s more structure. In college we were go, go, go all the time and here I’ve got to learn to stay back and feed into the system,” Smith said. “It’s been kind of difficult for me, but I am learning it and adjusting. I am learning where I can use my speed, too, and insert my game into the system.

“I don’t know if it’s much faster, but you have to know where to be and turnovers are huge at this level. You turn it over and it is in the back of your net,” Smith said. “It’s just the little things you have to do every night, and really paying attention to detail. And the goalies are a little better, so you’ve really got to bear down around the net.”

Although Smith couldn’t find the back of the net, Texas Stars GM Scott White liked what he saw from Smith.

“Smitty has been good. Snake-bitten if you asked him. If he wasn’t getting the chances then I’d have issues, but he’s getting chances,” White said. “He’s learning how to play the American League game, big men, good defensemen night in and night out. I like his energy. He hunts pucks, he tracks back and he doesn’t quit. The goals will come. He’s hit about eight or nine posts.”

Smith joined Texas after putting together a spectacular senior season at Colgate University in upstate New York. He led the nation in goal scoring with 36 in 39 games and finished third with 57 points. He was the ECAC Player of the Year and College Hockey News National Player of the Year.

Smith, who played his youth hockey in Dallas and played for two years at Dallas Jesuit High, was one of the three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, which goes to the top player in college hockey.

“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.”

With the college career behind him, Smith is now looking ahead to a professional career. He’s got his goals set for the offseason. Like most young players, getting bigger and stronger are at the top of the list.

“It was a long year. I lost 10-12 pounds. I need to put on some weight and I need to learn how to keep it on,” said Smith, who was listed at 5-11, 180 pounds at the start of the season. “It’s all part of being at this level, learning how to maintain your body. That’s got to be my biggest focus, go home and put on some weight. I don’t think strength has been a problem for me at this level, I think my quickness kind of helps me out but I want to put on that strength.”

He’s expected to play with the Texas Stars next season and he’s already got some goals in mind, and one of them is showing that he can put the puck in the net at the AHL level.

“I still believe I am a goal scorer and a great playmaker,” Smith said. “I want to make those plays and I want to continue to be successful that way at this level.”

The Dallas Stars and Texas Stars announced this morning that Texas Stars head coach Jeff Pyle and assistant coach Jeff Truitt have been relieved of their duties.

Texas finished last in the AHL's Western Conference and 29th in a 30 team league with a 31-40-5 record this season. The team missed the playoffs for the first time in its three year existence.

"These are difficult decisions," said Dallas Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk. "We fell short of where we thought the bar needed to be this year with respect to our minor league team. I think looking ahead we realize the importance of the situation here moving forward, especially with all those kids we have coming in to that team. We just felt it was the right decision for our organization moving forward."

Several of Dallas' top prospects will play in Texas next season, including goaltender Jack Campbell, defenseman Jamie Oleksiak, defenseman Patrik Nemeth, forward Alex Chiasson and forward Austin Smith. Campbell, Chiasson and Smith played there the final few weeks of this season.

Pyle and Truitt took over the Texas Stars last summer after head coach Glen Gulutzan and assistant Paul Jerrard, who had guided Texas to the playoffs in the team's first two seasons, were promoted to the Dallas Stars' coaching staff.

Nieuwendyk said the Stars are in no rush to find a replacement.

"We'll let the dust settle a bit and we'll have plenty of time to go through the [search process]," Nieuwendyk said.

The Dallas Stars are done for the season, but players in the system are still going at it. The Texas Stars close out the season this week. Texas has four games remaining on its schedule, including two at home. Texas will miss the playoffs for the first time in its three seasons of existence.

There are some things worth watching with Texas. Left wing Matt Fraser, a free agent signing last season, is battling for the AHL goal scoring crown. The 21-year-old currently leads the league with 36 goals in 69 games.

Jack Campbell (1st round/2010) should get some more starts. So far, he is 3-4-0 with a 3.00 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. Forwards Alex Chiasson (2nd round/2009) and Austin Smith (5th round/2007) continue to get their first taste of pro experience. Smith has three assists in eight games and Chiasson has picked up one assist in five games.

The Stars’ ECHL affiliate, the Idaho Steelheads, advanced to the second round of the playoffs, defeating Ontario 5-0 in the fifth and deciding game of their first round series. The Steelheads play Las Vegas in round two.

Junior hockey

In the junior ranks, three Dallas prospects are still playing. Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak (1st round/2011) and right wing Brett Ritchie (2nd round/2011) both play for the OHL’s Niagara IceDogs, who lead their round two series against Brampton 2-0. Ritchie has one goal and three assists in eight playoff games. Oleksiak has no points and a plus-one rating in eight games.

Defenseman Alex Theriau (4th round/2010) is still active in the WHL playoffs. Theriau’s Medicine Hat team is trailing Moose Jaw 2-0 in the second round. Theriau has two assists in six games.

Europe

Defenseman John Klingberg (5th round/2010) and center Emil Molin (4th round/2011) are playing in the Swedish Elite League championship, which gets underway today. Klingberg has four assists in ten playoff games for Skelleftea and Molin has one assist in four playoff games for Brynas. Defenseman Patrik Nemeth, whose AIK team was knocked out in the semifinals by Skelleftea, ended up with one assist in 11 games.

The past week: Texas eliminated from playoff contention

The Texas Stars, who went 2-2-0-0, over the past week, were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention. Texas, which is 30-36-2-2 on the season and 15th in the Western Conference, has six games remaining this season.

Texas opened the week with a with a 4-3 shootout win at Lake Erie on Tuesday. Jack Campbell made 36 saves, including eight in overtime for the Stars. He also stopped five of seven in the shootout. Travis Morin and Francis Wathier were among the goal scorers in regulation and Colton Sceviour and Austin Smith were among the scorers in the shootout.

On Thursday, the Stars lost 4-2 to Hamilton at Cedar Park Center. Campbell stopped 35 of 38 shots and Morin and Luke Gazdic scored goals. Right wing Alex Chiasson, Dallas’ 2nd round pick from 2009, made his professional debut in the game. He had no points and three shots. Austin Smith, a 5th round pick by Dallas in 2007, picked up his first professional assist.

On Saturday, Campbell posted his first pro shutout, stopping 30 shots in a 4-0 win over Lake Erie in Cedar Park.

“It’s pretty cool, but I don’t play to get shutouts. I play to get wins and to help this team win,” Campbell told reporters after the game. “The guys played great in front of me and I did whatever I could to help.”

Matt Fraser scored two goals pushing his season total to 33, and Gazdic chipped in one goal and one assist.

Texas lost 8-4 to Lake Erie at Cedar Park Center on Sunday. The loss eliminated the Stars from the playoff race. Campbell got the start and gave up four goals on 12 shots in the first period. Tyler Beskorowany played the rest of the game, surrendering four goals on 16 shots. Colton Sceviour scored a pair of goals for Texas and Morin scored as well.

The week ahead

Wednesday April 4, at Grand Rapids
Thursday April 5, at Peoria

Transactions

4/2: D Jordie Benn assigned to Texas (AHL) from Dallas (NHL)

Idaho Steelheads

The Idaho Steelheads open the ECHL Playoffs this week, taking on the Ontario Reign in the Western Conference Quarterfinals. It’s a best-of-five series.

Dallas Stars prospect Austin Smith is among the three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, which goes to the top player in college hockey. The three finalists were announced today. Smith, who wrapped up his college career at Colgate earlier this month, is now playing for the Texas Stars of the AHL.

Smith also was named the College Hockey News Player of the Year today. You can read the article on Smith here.

Here's the release on the three finalists for the Hobey Baker.

The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation on Thursday announced the three Hobey Hat Trick finalists for the 2012 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, honoring college hockey’s top player. Alphabetically, they are: Spencer Abbott, senior forward from the University of Maine; Jack Connolly, senior forward from the University of Minnesota-Duluth; and Austin Smith, senior forward from Colgate University.

The three finalists were selected from the initial list of Top Ten candidates by the 23-member Selection Committee and an additional round of online fan balloting to determine this year’s Hobey Baker winner. Criteria for the award includes: displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.

This year’s Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced Friday, April 6, 2012 from MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL during the NCAA Frozen Four. The 32nd annual announcement will be aired live on the NHL Network at 6:00 p.m., ET, and at the Hobey website, www.hobeybakeraward.com. Here is more on this year’s three finalists:

Spencer Abbott – University of Maine, Senior, Forward, Hamilton, Ontario
From a recruited walk-on four years ago to a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, Spencer Abbott has had a remarkable four-year collegiate career. Already recognized as the Player of the Year in Hockey East as well as a First Team all-star, the Black Bear assistant captain leads the nation in scoring and in assists. In 39 games this season, Abbott scored 21 goals, assisted on another 41 for 62 total points. His unselfish scoring exploits earned him the conference scoring title and he was named player of the month twice while piling up 18 multiple-point games. Abbott is a Family Relations major and has been on the Dean’s List three times. Spencer is active in the community helping with Special Olympics, assisting at youth hockey clinics and participating in charity games. Abbott, a pro hockey free agent, just signed a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Jack Connolly – University of Minnesota-Duluth, Senior, Forward, Duluth, Minnesota
A repeat Hobey top ten finalist, the Bulldog captain had a fantastic season winning the WCHA scoring title, being named a First Team all-star for the third straight season and capped it off as the league’s Player of the Year. A two-time All American, Connolly is second in the nation in points and assists accumulating 20 goals and 40 assists for 60 points in 41 games. Duluth was the second highest scoring team in the nation this past season and Connolly never missed a college game, having played in 164 straight. He was held pointless in consecutive games only twice in his illustrious four-year career. The hometown hero is active in community endeavors helping with trash clean-up in the Adopt-A-Highway program, visiting Duluth hospitals, volunteering with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and working with various cancer fund-raisers. He’s a Communications major with a 3.3 GPA. He is a pro hockey free agent. Hockey runs deep in the Connolly family as Jack’s older brother Chris, was the captain and second leading scorer for Boston University this past season.

Austin Smith – Colgate University, Senior, Forward, Dallas, Texas
Austin Smith completes the trifecta of Hobey scoring whizzes as the nation’s top sniper with 36 goals to go along with 21 assists for 57 total points, third best in the country. Dangerous at all times, Smith leads the nation in short-handed goals with six and scored seven power play goals as well. Winning the ECAC scoring title this past season, Smith was named the conference Player of the Year and a First Team all-star. Along the way, Smith scored 30 goals this season faster than any college player in the last 12 years and is currently third in the nation with a plus-25. A Sociology and Anthropology major, Smith helps out with the Hamilton, NY Food Cupboard, assists with food and toy drives during the season and is involved with the local Goals for Good program. He is a fifth round draft pick of the Dallas Stars.

Alex Chiasson headed to Texas Stars

Another top prospect of the Dallas Stars is headed to the Texas Stars. Dallas announced Monday that they have agreed to terms with right wing Alex Chiasson and that he will spend the rest of the season with Texas.

Chiasson, Dallas’ second-round pick (38th overall) in 2009, has spent the past three seasons at Boston University. This season, as a junior, the 6-foot-3, 202 pound Chiasson led the team in scoring with 46 points (15 goals, 31 assists) in 38 games.

The 21-year-old Quebec native was a 2012 Hockey East Honorable Mention All-Star.

The past week: Jack Campbell stellar in pro debut

The Texas Stars went 1-1-0-0 behind goaltender Jack Campbell, who made his professional debut over the weekend.

Campbell, Dallas’ first round pick (11th overall) in 2010, stopped 32 of 35 shots in a 3-1 loss at Oklahoma City on Friday night in his first professional game.

On Sunday, Campbell stopped 32 of 34 shots as Texas won 4-2 at Toronto. Matt Fraser and Francis Wathier were among the goal scorers for Texas.

Forward Austin Smith, Dallas’ fifth round pick (128th overall) in 2007, also made his pro debut with Texas over the weekend. In two games he had no points and six shots on goal.

Texas is 28-34-2-2 on the season. They are 15 points out of the final playoff spot with ten games remaining in the regular season.

The week ahead

Tuesday March 27, at Lake Erie
Thursday March 29, vs. Hamilton
Saturday March 31, vs. Lake Erie
Sunday April 1, vs. Lake Erie

Idaho Steelheads

The Idaho Steelheads went 2-1-0-0 over the past week and have now clinched a spot in the ECHL playoffs. The Steelheads are 29-31-2-7 and rank seventh in the ECHL’s Western Conference.

Dallas Stars goaltending prospect Jack Campbell stopped 32 of 35 shots in professional debut Friday night, but the Texas Stars lost 3-1 at Oklahoma City.

Campbell, Dallas' first round pick (11th overall) in 2010, was particularly sharp in the first period when Oklahoma City, the top team in the AHL's Western Conference, outshot Texas 15-5. Campbell stopped 14 of 15 shots in the period, only getting beat by a point shot through traffic.

Campbell had several nice saves in the game, including a slick kick save in the first period and another in the third where he moved post-to-post to deny a chance from the left circle with Oklahoma City on the power play.

Dallas prospect Austin Smith, a fifth round pick (128th overall) in 2007, also made his pro debut for Texas Friday night. The Dallas native had no points, three shots on goal and minus-two rating. Smith played most of the time on a line with Francis Wathier and Colton Sceviour. He also saw time on the power play. Smith had a couple of good chances in the game, including a close range backhand shot in the final minute.

Jack Campbell, Austin Smith join Texas Stars

The Texas Stars got a couple of Dallas’ top prospects for the remainder of the regular season, and more could be on the way.

Goalie Jack Campbell, Dallas’ first round pick (11th overall) in 2010, wrapped up his junior career and was assigned to Texas by the Dallas Stars on Monday.

Forward Austin Smith, Dallas’ fifth round pick (128th overall) in 2007, wrapped up his collegiate career at Colgate over the weekend. Smith, college hockey’s leading goal scorer this season, signed an amateur tryout contract with Texas.

Both Smith and Campbell are with the team now and are expected to see action with Texas soon.

“We expect two more blue chip guys coming in potentially after the weekend, depending on how their teams do this weekend,” Texas Stars GM Scott White told ESPN 104.9 in Austin on Wednesday.

White didn’t mention those two players by name, but he could be talking about forwards RW Alex Chiasson (2nd round/2009) and RW Reilly Smith (3rd round/2009). Both players are involved in the NCAA tournament this weekend.

The past week

The Texas went 0-3-0-0 over the past week. Texas is 27-33-2-2 on the season and is 15th in the AHL’s Western Conference, 13 points out of the final playoff spot.

Texas lost 4-3 to Oklahoma City Friday at Cedar Park Center. The Stars blew 2-0 and 3-2 leads in the game. Matt Fraser and Brenden Dillon were among the goal scorers for Texas. Tyler Beskorowany made 32 saves.

After the game, Texas coach Jeff Pyle was blunt about where his team stood.

“We don’t deserve the playoffs, we really, truly don’t,” Pyle said. “We came out in the first and got a 2-0 lead by being patient. In the second period it was still 2-0 and (Travis) Morin turns that puck over. That can’t happen. That’s embarrassing. A leader like that, with a 2-0 lead, you’ve got to take care of the puck and show leadership, and we get none of that. Then we retaliate on a penalty and give them a power play – bad call or not it doesn’t matter. We shouldn’t be there. So, we let them back in the game. Then 3-3 and we deflect a puck blind through the middle of the ice.

“We don’t deserve the playoffs. We don’t do things that are conducive to playoff hockey. We’re not committed to playing playoff hockey. We’re not there. There’s a reason we’re in the situation were in.”

On Saturday, Texas lost 4-3 again to Oklahoma City at Cedar Park Center. The Stars were down 3- 1after the first period and could never catch up. Colton Sceviour and Francis Wathier scored for Texas. Andrew Raycroft made 24 saves.

The Stars dropped their fifth straight game, falling 5-2 to Abbotsford on Monday. Sceviour scored both goals for Texas. Beskorowany made 26 saves. Texas ended it is seven-game homestand with a 2-5-0-0 record.

The week ahead

Friday March 23, at Oklahoma City
Sunday March 25, at Toronto

Transactions

3/20: Texas signed F Austin Smith to amateur tryout contract
3/19: G Jack Campbell assigned to Texas (AHL) from Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
3/19: Texas signed C Taylor Vause to amateur tryout contract
3/17: D Matt Case released from professional tryout contract

Idaho Steelheads

The Idaho Steelheads went 1-1-0-1 over the past week. Idaho is 27-30-2-7 and ranks 7th in the ECHL’s Western Conference.

The Dallas Stars made it official this afternoon -- they've signed forward Austin Smith, the team's fifth round pick (128th overall) in 2007 to a two-year, to a two-year entry-level contract.

Smith, a Dallas native, just wrapped up his college career at Colgate, where he scored 36 goals in 39 games this season. He is among 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, which goes to the top player in college hockey.

Smith will play the rest of the season in the AHL, where he signed an amateur tryout contract with the Texas Stars yesterday.

Here's the release from the Dallas Stars:

The Dallas Stars announced today that the club has signed forward Austin Smith to a two-year entry-level contract. Smith, 23, reported on Tuesday to the Texas Stars, Dallas' primary affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL), after completing a four-year career at Colgate University.

The 5-11, 180-pound forward from Dallas, TX led the NCAA this season in goals (36) and ranks third in overall scoring with 57 points. He is also one of 10 student-athletes nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, given annually to the top player in NCAA Division I hockey.

"Austin Smith is one of the best young prospects in the NCAA and we are very excited for his future in this organization," Dallas Stars General Manager Joe Nieuwendyk said. "Austin is a tremendously gifted player and is a testament to the growth of hockey in the North Texas area."

Dallas' fifth-round selection (No. 128 overall) in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, Smith was born in Dallas and grew up playing hockey in the Dr Pepper StarCenter Youth Hockey system. Smith was the first native Texan drafted by the Dallas Stars organization and attended Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas for his first two years of high school prior to playing for the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League.

During his senior season at Colgate, Smith led the Eastern College Athletic Conference in points (57) and goals (36). He also notched 16 multi-point games and nine multi-goal games during the 2011-12 campaign. Over his four-year career at Colgate, Smith appeared in 153 games, collecting 79 goals and 81 assists for 160 points.

The Texas Stars have signed Dallas Stars prospect Austin Smith to an amateur tryout contract. Smith will join Texas for the rest of the American Hockey League season.

Smith said on his Twitter account today he has signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars. That contract will kick in next season.

Smith, a Dallas native, was the Stars' fifth round pick in 2007. He just wrapped up his collegiate career at Colgate University, where he led the nation in goal scoring this season (36 goals in 39 games) and is one of ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, which goes to the top player in college hockey.

Here are some notes and a statistical update on Dallas Stars prospects playing junior hockey, in Europe and in college.

Junior hockey

*G Jack Campbell (1st round/2010) wrapped up his junior career and is now heading to the Texas Stars, where he could see some action soon. Campbell played his last junior game for Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) on Saturday, allowing nine goals in a game against Windsor, but his team won 10-9. Campbell finished the season 21-15-7, with a 3.46 goals against average, .896 save percentage and two shutouts.

*D Jamie Oleksiak (1st round/2011) and RW Brett Ritchie (2nd round/2011), who both play for Niagara of the OHL, are headed for the Ontario League playoffs, where they will play Oshawa. Ritchie, who ended the season on a four-game points streak (3 goals, 2 assists), had 24 goals and 21 assists in 53 games. Oleksiak was a plus-10 over his last seven games. He ended the regular season with 32 points (12 goals, 20 assists) and a plus-31 rating in 59 games.

*RW Matej Stransky (6th round/2011) ended the regular season on a six game points streak (4 goals, 11 assists) for Saskatoon of the WHL. Stransky finished the season with 81 points (39 goals, 42 assists) in 70 games. Saskatoon’s first round playoff series is against Medicine Hat, which features Dallas draft pick Alex Theriau (4th round/2010).

*D Troy Vance (5th round/2011) finished the regular season with 24 points (4 goals, 20 assists) and a plus-17 rating in 57 games for Victoriaville of the QMJHL. Victoriaville plays Baie-Comeau in the first round of the playoffs.

College

*F Austin Smith (5th round/2007) wrapped up his college career over the weekend as Colgate finished fourth in the ECAC tournament. The Dallas native is expected to head to the Texas Stars once a contract with the Dallas Stars is finalized. Smith finished the season with 36 goals and 21 assists in 39 games. He is among the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award and was named the ECAC Player of the Year.

*RW Reilly Smith (3rd round/2009) had 3 goals and 2 assists in two CCHA games for Miami University over the weekend. Smith, who has 30 goals and 18 assists in 38 games, is among the ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award. Miami lost in the semifinals of the CCHA Tournament, but is headed to the NCAA tournament as the 5th seed. Miami, which also features Dallas prospect Curtis McKenzie (6^th round/2009) plays 12th seeded Massachusetts-Lowell in the East Regional on Friday.

*RW Alex Chiasson (2nd round/2009) scored one goal, but Boston University lost to Maine in the semifinals of the Hockey East Tournament. Chiasson now has 15 goals and 29 assists in 37 games. BU is the 9th seed in the NCAA Tournament and will play 8th seeded Minnesota (and fellow Dallas draft Nico Sacchetti) in the West Regional on Saturday.

*LW Alex Guptill (3rd round/2010) had one assist in two CCHA tournament games for Michigan, which lost in the championship game to Western Michigan. Guptill, who has 16 goals and 17 assists in 40 games, was named the CCHA’s Rookie of the Year. Michigan is the 2nd seed in the NCAA Tournament and plays 13th seeded Cornell in the Midwest Regional on Friday.

Europe

*D Patrik Nemeth (2nd round/2010) had one goal and a plus-one rating in five games as AIK beat Lulea in the first round of the Swedish Elite League playoffs. AIK now advances to the semifinal round of the playoffs.

*D John Klingberg (5th round/2010) has no points and a minus-two rating in four games for Skelleftea, which leads its first round series against MODO, 3-2.

Dallas Stars forward prospect Austin Smith (5th round/2007) wrapped up his college career today as Colgate lost 3-0 to Cornell in the ECAC consolation game.

Smith, the Dallas native who scored 36 goals in 39 games and is among 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s best player, will begin his pro career next season. There’s a chance Smith could play with the Texas Stars of the AHL the final part of this season to get a head start on his pro career.

Stars goaltending prospect Jack Campbell (1st round/ 2011) could be joining the Texas Stars soon as well. His junior team – Sault Ste. Marie of the Ontario Hockey League – won’t be going to the playoffs and the OHL regular season wraps up this weekend. There’s a good chance Campbell, who will turn pro next season, will head to Cedar Park soon to get an early start on his pro career.

THN ranks the Stars prospects

The Hockey News is out with its Future Watch 2012, which ranks the prospects for the 30 NHL teams.

Goaltender Jack Campbell was ranked 41st among all NHL prospects and defenseman Jamie Oleksiak ranked 59th.

Here’s how THN sees the top 10 prospects for the Dallas Stars.

Dallas Stars prospects Austin Smith and Reilly Smith are among the 10 finalists for the 2012 Hobey Baker Award, which goes to the top player in college hockey.

Three finalists for the award will be named on March 29 and the Hobey Baker will be awarded on April 6.

Austin Smith, a fifth round pick (128^th overall) in 2007, leads the nation with 36 goals in 37 games with Colgate this season. He hit 30 goals faster this than any player in the last 12 years. He leads the nation with six shorthanded goals and is fifth with five-game winning goals.

The Dallas native, who is 23-years-old, will turn pro next season and likely will play with the Texas Stars of the AHL.

Reilly Smith, a third round pick (69^th overall) in 2009, is second in the nation with 27 goals in 36 games with Miami University. He leads the nation with eight game-winning goals and is tied for sixth nationally with nine power play goals.

The Ontario native, who turns 21 in April, is a junior at Miami, but could turn pro after this season and play with the Texas Stars of the AHL next season.

The full release on the Hobey Baker finalists is here.

Here are some notes and a statistical update on Dallas Stars prospects playing junior hockey, in Europe and in college.

*RW Alex Chiasson (2^nd round/2009) had two goals, including the series-winning goal in double overtime, and four assists as Boston University beat New Hampshire in three games in the Hockey East Quarterfinals. “It was probably one of the biggest goals of my career,” Chiasson told the media about his series-winner after the game. BU takes on Maine in the Hockey East semifinals this weekend.

*RW Reilly Smith (3^rd round/2009) had one goal and four assists as Miami swept a best-of-three CCHA series against Michigan State over the weekend. Miami outscored Michigan 10-1 in the two games. Stars prospect Curtis McKenzie (6^th round/2009) had one goal and one assist in the first game of the series for Miami,which plays Western Michigan in the CCHA semifinals.

*F Austin Smith (5^th round/2007) had two goals and two assists as Colgate beat Quinnipiac in three-games in the ECAC quarterfinals. Smith had one goal and one assist in Colgate’s 4-0 victory in the third and deciding game of the series. Colgate plays Union in the ECAC semis.

*LW Alex Guptill (3^rd round/2010) had one assist as Michigan swept Notre Dame in the quarterfinals of the CCHA tournament. Michigan plays Bowling Green in the semifinals.

*D Mike Bergin had three assists as RPI was swept by Union in the ECAC tournament. Bergin, a senior, wrapped up his collegiate career.

*F Scott Winkler (3^rd round/2008) scored one goal in three games as Colorado College lost its series against Michigan Tech in the WCHA quarterfinals. Winkler, a junior, has one year left at Colorado College.

*D Patrik Nemeth (2^nd round/2010) has one assist and a plus-two rating in the first two games of the Swedish Elite Playoffs. AIK is tied 1-1 in its first round best-of-seven series.

*D John Klingberg (5^th round/2010) has no points in his first two games of the Swedish Elite League Playoffs. Skelleftea leads its best-of-seven series 2-0.

*C Emil Molin (4^th round/2011) will be playing for Brynas in Sweden’s Junior playoffs. Those playoffs begin this week.

*The Canadian junior leagues wrap up the regular season this week and the playoffs in the OHL, WHL and QMJHL just around the corner.