Stars sign three players to entry-level contracts

FRISCO, Texas --Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nillannounced today that the club has signed center Rhett Gardner and defenseman Joseph Cecconi to two-year, entry-level contracts, and has signed right wing Josh Melnick to a one-year, entry-level contract, each beginning in 2019-20. Additionally, Gardner, Cecconi and Melnick will report to the Texas Stars, Dallas' top development affiliate in the American Hockey League on amateur tryouts for the remainder of the 2018-19 season.
The club also assigned center Ty Dellandrea to the Texas Stars (AHL). Dellandrea, 18, spent the 2018-19 campaign with the Flint Firebirds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and led the club with 63 points (22-41=63) in 60 games. Over three seasons with Flint, the forward has amassed 146 points (62-84=146) in 184 games. The 6-foot-1, 190 pound center from Toronto, Ontario was selected by the Stars in the first round (13th overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft.

Gardner, 23, registered 15 points (8-7=15) in 37 games during his senior season at University of North Dakota. Gardner ranked third on the team with eight goals on the season and was tied for the team lead with three power play goals. Gardner amassed 74 points (34-40=74) in 149 career NCAA games over his four seasons with University of North Dakota, helping the Fighting Hawks win the 2016 National Championship.
The 6-foot-3, 210-pound native of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan was selected by Dallas in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Cecconi, 21, recorded 20 points (3-17=20) in 36 games during his senior season at University of Michigan. Cecconi served as captain in 2018-19 and ranked second on the team with 17 assists this season, while he also ranked second among team defensemen and fifth among all team skaters with 20 points. The blueliner appeared in 147 career NCAA games over four seasons at University of Michigan and registered 62 points (9-53=62).
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound native of Youngstown, N.Y. was selected by Dallas in the fifth round (133rd overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft.
Melnick, 23, registered 26 points (10-16=26) in 32 games during his senior season at Miami University. The forward served as captain in 2018-19 and led the Redhawks with 26 points and five power play goals, while he finished tied for second on the team with 10 goals. Melnick wraps up his collegiate career having amassed 107 points (38-69=107) in 140 games over four seasons with Miami University.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound native of Annandale, N.J. was signed as an undrafted college free agent.