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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 prospects Jamie Oleksiak and Brett Ritchie are playing for a shot at going to the Memorial Cup in Canadian junior hockey. They moved a step closer as their Niagara team won Game 1 of the Ontario Hockey League Finals, beating London 3-2 in double overtime Thursday night.

Ritchie had one assist and an even rating in the game. Oleksiak had no points and was minus-one on the night.

Game 2 of the series is Saturday night.

Idaho Steelheads seek new head coach

The Idaho Steelheads, Dallas’ ECHL affiliate, are searching for a new head coach. The Steelheads have decided not to renew the contract of Hardy Sauter, who had been head coach the past two seasons and compiled a 63-59-22 record.

This past season Idaho had its first losing record since 1999-2000, but it did make the playoffs. The Steelheads were knocked out in the second round of the playoffs in each of Sauter’s two seasons, not quite up to the standards of a team that had two championships and a trip to the finals in a six-year span just prior to Sauter’s arrival.

There was a behind the scenes shake up at the Dallas Stars offices in Frisco on Monday as some senior executives were let go.

Among those fired Monday were Assistant Vice President, Communications Rob Scichili, Senior Director of Game Entertainment and Events Jon Adams and Manager, Digital Media Lane Pate.

The changes in the front office have been going on for a while. Chief Financial Officer Robert Hutson had been let go previously.

Player/prospect notes

*Stars forward Tomas Vincour had one goal in two games for Czech Republic at the Euro Hockey Challenge over the weekend. Vincour, who is still in the mix for a spot on the Czech’s roster for the World Championship, will be playing for his country at the Euro Hockey Tour, which begins on Thursday.

Stars defenseman Philip Larsen also played at the Euro Hockey Challenge, picking up no points in two games for Denmark. Larsen is on Denmark’s roster for the World Championship, which gets underway May 4 in Sweden and Finland.

*Stars defense prospect Jamie Oleksiak (1st round/2011) and forward prospect Brett Ritchie (2nd round/2011) each picked up an assist as Niagara defeated Ottawa 5-2 Monday night in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs. Niagara leads the OHL’s Eastern Conference Finals 2-1. Game 4 is Wednesday night.

*Dallas Stars forward prospect Emil Molin’s Brynas team won the Swedish Elite League Championship, defeating Skelleftea, which featured Dallas defense prospect John Klingberg. Molin (4th round/2011) had one assist and a plus-three rating in 10 playoff games, but didn’t see a lot of ice time. Klingberg (5th round/2010) had four assists and a minus- six rating in 16 playoff games.

*The Idaho Steelheads, Dallas’ ECHL affiliate, had its season end Sunday when it was knocked out of the playoffs with a 2-1 overtime loss to Las Vegas, which won the second round series in five games.

The Dallas Stars are done for the season and so are the Texas Stars, but a few Dallas prospects in involved in playoff hockey in their respective leagues.

*Defenseman Jamie Oleksiak (1st round/2011) and right wing Brett Ritchie (2nd round/2011) are playing in the Ontario Hockey League playoffs with the Niagara IceDogs. Niagara is set to take on Ottawa in the Eastern Conference Finals. Game 1 is Friday. Oleksiak has no points and a plus-four rating in 10 playoff games. Ritchie has four points (one goal, three assists) in 10 games.

*Defenseman John Klingberg (5th round/2010) and center Emil Molin (4th round/2011) are playing against each other in the Swedish Elite championship series. Molin’s Brynas club leads Klingberg’s Skelleftea team 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 is Thursday. Klingberg and Molin are both scoreless in the series.

*The Idaho Steelheads are still going in the ECHL playoffs. The Steelheads are down 2-0 in their second round series against Las Vegas. The next three games are in Idaho. Two Dallas players – forward Michael Neal and defenseman Hubert Labrie – are playing for the Steelheads. Neal is tied for second on the Steelheads in scoring with seven points (three goals, four assists) in six playoff games. Labrie has no points and a plus-two rating in three games.

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.

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

Juniors

*The playoffs are underway in Canadian juniors. RW Brett Ritchie (second round/2011) had one goal and one assist as Niagara opened its first round OHL series with an 8-2 victory over Oshawa. Niagara leads the series 2-1. Ritchie has one goal and two assists in three games. D Jamie Oleksiak (1st round/2011) has no points in three games for Niagara.

*Stars prospects RW Matej Stransky (sixth round/2011) and D Alex Theriau (4th round/2010) are meeting in the WHL playoffs. Theriau’s Medicine Hat Tigers lead Stransky’s Saskatoon Blades 2-0 in the series. Theriau has one assist through two games and Stransky has one assist in two games as well.

*D Troy Vance (fifth round/2011) has one assist in two games for Victoriaville in the QMJHL playoffs. Victoriaville trails Baie-Comeau 2-0 in the series.

Europe

*D Patrik Nemeth (second round/2010) and D John Klingberg (fifth round/2010) are meeting in the second round of the Swedish Elite League playoffs. Nemeth’s AIK team has a 1-0 lead in the series. Nemeth has one assist and a plus-one rating in six playoff games so far, but he has a foot injury and is not expected to play in the next game. Klingberg has been out with an injury, but is said to be close to a return.

College

*F Reilly Smith (third round/2009), F Alex Chiasson (2nd round/2009) and F Alex Guptill (second round/2010) were all knocked out of the NCAA tournament over the weekend. As has been widely reported, Smith signed an entry-level deal with Dallas and has joined the Stars on its current road trip. Chiasson signed an entry-level deal and will play the rest of the season with the Texas Stars of the AHL. Guptill will be a sophomore at Michigan next season.

*Dallas draft pick Nico Sacchetti (second round/2007) is still playing in the tournament since his Minnesota team advanced to the Frozen Four.

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.

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

*RW Reilly Smith (3rd round/2009) had three goals, three assists and a plus-six rating as Miami University closed out the regular season with a pair of wins over Ohio State. Smith has 38 points (26 goals, 12 assists) in 34 games and ranks second in the nation in goal scoring. Next up for Smith and Miami is the CCHA tournament. The RedHawks have a first round bye and will play Michigan State in the second round beginning on March 9.

*F Austin Smith (5th round/2007) had one goal and two assists in Colgate’s final two regular season games. Smith leads the nation in goal scoring with 34 in 34 games. Colgate has a first round bye in the ECAC tournament and will open second round play on March 9.

*LW Alex Guptill (3rd round/2010) had one goal and two assists as Michigan split a pair of games over the weekend. Guptill, a freshman, led Michigan in goals (16) and points (31) in 36 games played. Guptill is tied for the national lead in freshman goal scoring. Michigan has a first round bye in the CCHA tournament and begins second round play on March 9.

*RW Alex Chiasson (2nd round/2009) had two assists as Boston University defeated Vermont on Saturday. Chiasson has 37 points (12 goal, 25 assists) in 31 games. BU closes out the regular season this weekend.

*RW Brett Ritchie (2nd round/2011) scored goals in each of his last three games and now has goals in 11 of his last 15 games for Niagara of the Ontario League. Since being traded to Niagara in January, Ritchie has 22 points (12 goals, 10 assists) and a plus-22 rating in 22 games.

*G Jack Campbell (1st round/2010) was out last week due to a bout with the flu.

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

*RW Reilly Smith (3rd round/2009) had two goals in two games over the weekend for Miami University. Smith, a junior, now has 23 goal in 32 games and ranks second in the nation in goal scoring.

*F Austin Smith (5th round/2007) scored one goal in two games for Colgate over the weekend. Smith, a senior, now has 33 goals in 32 games and leads the nation in goal scoring.

*RW Alex Chiasson (2nd round/2009) had one goal and three assists in Boston University’s 7-4 win over Massachusetts-Lowell on Friday. Chiasson, a junior, has 35 points (12 goals, 23 assists) in 29 games and leads BU in points.

*RW Brett Ritchie (2nd round/2011) has 14 points (9 goals, 5 assists) and a plus-14 rating in his last 14 games for Niagara of the Ontario Hockey League.

*D Jamie Oleksiak (1st round/2011) has 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists) and a plus-10 rating in his last six games for Niagara of the OHL.

*RW Matej Stransky (6th round/2011) has five goals in his last seven games for Saskatoon of the Western Hockey League. Stransky leads Saskatoon in goals (33) and points (62) in 58 games played.

*D Jyrki Jokipakka (7th round/2011) logged 28:20 of ice time and had six shots on goal in his most recent game for Ilves of the Finnish Elite League. In the game before that, Jokipakka logged 26:07 of ice time. For the season Jokipakka is averaging 19:41 of ice time and has 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists) in 43 games.

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

*D Jamie Oleksiak (1^st round/2011) had 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) and a plus-7 rating in Niagara’s (OHL) 11-0 win over Mississauga last Thursday. Oleksiak is currently riding a three-game points streak, his first of the season, and has 2 goals, 4 assists and a plus-9 rating during that stretch.

*RW Brett Ritchie (2^nd round/2011) has points in 9 of his last 11 games for Niagara (OHL) and has 12 points (8 goals, 4 assists) during that stretch.

*RW Matej Stransky (6^th round/2011) had 3 goals and 2 assists in 4 games for Saskatoon (WHL) over the past week. Stransky has 60 points (31 goals, 29 assists) in 55 games and leads Saskatoon in goals and points.

RW Alex Chiasson (2^nd round/2009) has points in 10 of his last 11 games for Boston University and has 17 points (6 goals, 11 assists during that stretch. Chiasson, a junior, is tied for team lead in scoring with 29 points (11 goals, 18 assists) in 26 games.

RW Reilly Smith (3^rd round/2009) has points in 11 of his last 14 games for Miami University and has 16 points (10 goals, 6 assists) during that stretch. Smith, a junior, is tied for second in the nation in goal scoring with 21 in 30 games.

F Austin Smith (5^th round/2007) had a goal in each of Colgate’s games over the weekend. Smith, a senior, leads the nation with 32 goals in 30 games and is third in the nation with 47 points.

*D Troy Vance (5^th round/2011) returned to action for Victoriaville (QMJHL) after missing time with a hip injury.

*F Scott Winkler (3^rd round/2008) has been out with an upper body injury for Colorado College.

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

*F Austin Smith (5^th round/2007) scored four goals in Colgate’s 8-3 victory over RPI Saturday. Smith, a senior, now has 30 goals and 15 assists in 28 games this season and leads the nation in goals and ranks second in points.

*RW Alex Chiasson (2^nd round/2009) has points in eight of his last nine games for Boston University and has 13 points (5 goals, 8 assists) during that stretch. Chiasson, a junior, has 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in 25 games.

*RW Brett Ritchie (2^nd round/2011) has six goals over the last six games for Niagara of the Ontario Hockey League. Ritchie has 26 points (14 goals, 12 assists) in 36 games this season, playing for both Niagara and Sarnia of the OHL this season.

*C Emil Molin (4^th round/2011) scored his first career Swedish Elite League goal over the past week. Molin has 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) in 28 games with Brynas of the SEL this season.

*D Troy Vance (5^th round/2011) remains out with a hip injury for Victoriaville of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

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

*RW Reilly Smith (3rd round/2009) was named the CCHA’s player of the month after picking up 7 goals and 3 assists in eight games during the month. Four of his goals were game-winners for Miami, which won six of the eight games. Smith has 19 goals and 8 assists in 26 games this season. He is tied for third in the nation in goal scoring.

*F Austin Smith (5th round/2007) had 2 goals, 1 assist an a plus-4 rating as Colgate swept a pair of games from Cornell over the weekend. Smith, who has 41 points (26 goals, 15 assists) in 26 games, leads the nation in both goal scoring and points.

*RW Brett Ritchie (2^nd round/2011) has points in five of this last six games for Niagara (OHL), and has 4 goals and 3 assists during that stretch. Ritchie has 9 points (4 goals, 5 assists) and a plus-9 rating in 11 games since joining Niagara and has 12 goals and 12 assists in 34 total games this season.

*RW Matej Stransky (6^th round/2011) registered 6 points (3 goals, 3 assists) and a plus-6 rating in three games for Saskatoon (WHL) over the past week. Stransky has 54 points (28 goals, 26 assists) in 49 games this season and is tied for 23^rd in the WHL in scoring.

*G Jack Campbell (1^st round/2010) snapped a personal three-game losing streak by stopping 29 of 30 shots in Sault Ste. Marie’s (OHL) victory over Erie. Campbell is 8-7-4 with a 3.19 goals against average and .903 save percentage since being traded to Sault Ste. Marie earlier this season.

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

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

*RW Reilly Smith (3rd round/2009) was named Inside College Hockey’s National Player of the Week after scoring four goals as Miami University swept a two-game series from then-eighth ranked Western Michigan. Smith, a junior, had a hat trick in one of the games and scored the game-winner in each contest. Smith, who has 18 goals in 24 games, is tied for third in the nation in goal scoring and leads the nation with 7 game-winning goals.

*F Austin Smith (5th round/2007) scored had two goals and one assist in two games over the weekend. Smith now has 38 points (24 goals, 14 assists) in 24 games for Colgate. Smith, a senior, leads the nation in goal scoring and is tied for second in points.

*LW Alex Guptill (3rd round/2010) scored a goal in both games he played for the University of Michigan this week, running his goal scoring streak to five games. Guptill has 26 points (14 goals, 12 assists) in 28 games and leads the nation in rookie goal scoring and points.

*RW Alex Chiasson (2nd round/2009) has points in seven of his last eight games for Boston University and has 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) during that stretch. Chiasson, a junior, has 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists) in 21 games this season.

*D Jamie Oleksiak (1st round/2011) had three assists and RW Brett Ritchie (2nd round/2011) had one goal and one assist as Niagara routed Peterborough 9-0 in OHL play on Sunday. Oleksiak has four assists over the last two games for Niagara and Ritchie has one goal and three assists over the last three games.

*D Troy Vance (5th round/2011) has been out with a hip injury for Victoriaville of the QMJHL.

*D John Klingberg (5th round/2010) has left Jokerit of the Finnish Elite League and is now playing for Skelleftea of the Swedish Elite League. He has played one game in Sweden and has no points.

Dallas Stars defense prospect Jamie Oleksiak (1st round/2011) has been traded from Saginaw to Niagara within the Ontario Hockey League.

It's a good move for Oleskiak, who goes from a last place team to one of the better teams in the OHL and one that now that has several members of Canada's World Juniors team.

Oleksiak will be playing with fellow Dallas prospect Brett Ritchie (2nd round/2011), who was traded to Niagara last week.