Something to prove

Stars defense prospect Gavin Bayreuther was passed over in three NHL Drafts, but he turned it into a positive. Disappointment provided motivation.
NHL teams passed over Bayreuther in the 2012, 2013, and 2014 drafts. In his final year of eligibility - the 2014 NHL Draft - he was coming off an impressive freshman season at St. Lawrence University in which he ranked third nationally in points per game among defenseman with 36 points (nine goals, 27 assists) in 38 games. NHL Central Scouting had him ranked 48th among North American skaters, but no takers.
"I was very upset, to be honest, but it was the best thing that ever happened to me," Bayreuther said. "It made me work so much harder, take nothing for granted. Prove everyone wrong."
Now, Bayreuther hopes he is on his way to proving his point. After three more solid seasons at St. Lawrence where he was among the top scoring defensemen in the nation, he was one of the more sought after free agents coming out of college. And after sorting through offers from a handful of NHL teams, he signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars in March.
"A dream come true," Bayreuther said at the time of the signing.

Stars GM Jim Nill showing up to watch him practice helped tipped the scales towards Dallas.
"That meant the world to me," he said.
And the allure of the warm Texas climate didn't hurt with the New Hampshire native.
"This is the peak of it all. It's really nice here," Bayreuther said during the recent Dallas Stars development camp in Frisco. "I've lived in the cold my whole life, so it's a great change of pace, and I am really looking forward to it."
Bayreuther got his first taste of Texas late last season, joining the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League after signing his NHL deal and getting a head start on his professional career.
"It was an unbelievable experience," Bayreuther said. "It's a huge jump and had I not done that I'd be so much lower on the level. I feel doing that has made me such a better player and a better person. I've learned so much, and I am very grateful for it."
The 23-year-old Bayreuther and other Dallas prospects received advice on being a pro in development camp earlier this month, but that time in the AHL late last season allowed Bayreuther to soak it in firsthand.
"It's cliché, but it's true - just being a pro," Bayreuther said. "You see the older players doing the same thing to prepare.**