Ready for the next step

Ask the Dallas Stars about forward prospect Roope Hintz, and you will get some glowing reviews. Ask about Hintz coming over to North America to play this season, and you'll get more favorable reactions.
"We're excited," Stars GM Jim Nill said when asked about Hintz at the team's development camp over the weekend. "He had a breakout year last year."
Hintz's breakout year included tallying 30 points (19 goals, 11 assists) in 44 games for HIFK in Finland's top league. He ranked ninth in the league in goal scoring despite missing the first 11 games of the season due to an injury suffered at a preseason tournament. Then he had a strong postseason, leading the league in playoff scoring with 14 points (three goals, eleven assists) in 14 games as HIFK advanced to the semifinals.
"It was pretty good in the end," said Hintz. "I was injured the first six weeks, but after that it went up."

And now he is ready to take the next step in his hockey career. The 20-year-old Hintz will make the jump to play North American pro hockey this coming season.
"It's a good way now to go," Hintz said. "I need to get good this summer back in Finland, and when I come back I will be ready to play here."
Hintz will most likely start with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League in 2017-18, but he is expected to get a good look during Dallas Stars training camp in September.
"I think he'll push really well here in Dallas," said Stars assistant GM Scott White. "He's got to work on his first couple strides, as he has probably already told you. He's not too far away in my opinion. He just needs to adapt to the game."
Like all players coming over from Europe, there will be an adjustment for Hintz. He'll need to get acclimated to living in a new country. As for hockey, the rink is smaller in North America, and the game is faster. Hintz recognizes all that. And he acknowledges those "first couple strides" White mentioned as among the areas he needs to improve.
"I have a couple of trainers in Finland, and they know what I need to do," Hintz said. "More strength, the first three steps when I skate. Everything, of course, but those are the biggest."
The 6-3, 205-pound Hintz, who is a left-handed shot, played center with HIFK last season, mostly on the second line. He can slide over and play the wing as well. It appears Hintz will see time at center in the AHL.
"We're going to try him in the middle first. I'd like to see him down the middle in Texas," White said. "Once he gets up here in Dallas.**