The Dallas Stars earned the highest score among sports franchises in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in J.D. Power 2017 Fan Experience Study which was released today by J.D. Power.

"It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by J.D. Power for providing one of the best fan experiences in professional sports," Dallas Stars President and CEO Jim Lites said. "For the last 25 years, we've tirelessly worked to build the best fan experience in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. We are continually striving to find more opportunities to make the Dallas Stars game day experience even better while providing our loyal fan base a quality product on and off the ice."

The Dallas Stars and H-E-B Center at Cedar Park announced information regarding the team's 2017-18 training camp, which includes open practice sessions and the Victory Green vs. White Intrasquad Scrimmage.

The Dallas Stars will hold training camp for the third consecutive season at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park from Friday, Sept. 15 through Monday, Sept. 18. H-E-B Center at Cedar Park is the home to the Texas Stars, Dallas' top development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL). The practices on Friday, Saturday and Monday are open to the public. Fans wishing to attend the sessions can enter through the east entrance of the building.

Dallas Stars President and CEO James R. Lites issued the following statement regarding the proposed bathroom legislation:

"When the Stars moved to Dallas in 1993 we were fortunate to encounter success early on, and we've cultivated what we consider to be the best fan base in the National Hockey League. Dallas was warm and welcoming when we came to this great city 25 years ago, and it remains so today. The Dallas Stars stand strongly opposed to any legislation perceived as discriminatory, including proposed bathroom legislation. We welcome fans from all over the globe, and our roster boasts players from half a dozen countries. Dallas welcomes all, and we welcome all.

We're thrilled that Dallas will host the NHL Draft next year, and we're grateful that the NHL sees the true Dallas that we know and love, a Dallas that is friendly and vibrant. Dallas will be a wonderful host city and we're grateful for the NHL's business. We are proud of our home and want every visitor to feel at home here, too, and that' s why we oppose this discriminatory bathroom legislation."

Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has signed defenseman Jamie Oleksiak to a one-year, $964,688 contract.

Oleksiak, 24, registered seven points (5-2=7) in 41 regular-season games for Dallas in 2016-17. His five goals marked a career-high and were third amongst Stars defensemen. He has appeared in 119 regular-season contests over the past five years, all with Dallas, and has 19 career points (6-13=19).

The Dallas Stars announced today that two games during the 2017-18 regular season will be televised nationally. Below is a list of games and where they will be televised:

Sun., March 11 at Pittsburgh, 6:30pm CT, NBCSN

Thu., March 29 at Minnesota, 7:00pm CT, NBCSN

The Stars regional slate of games to be carried on FOX Sports Southwest will be announced at a later date.

Dallas, TX - The Dallas Stars™ will host the 2018 NHL Draft™ at American Airlines Center, the National Hockey League, Stars and City of Dallas announced today. The 2018 event will mark the first time the Stars and the City of Dallas will host the NHL Draft. The Dallas Stars franchise will celebrate the organization's 25th anniversary during the upcoming 2017-18 season, and will host special events throughout the year to commemorate the Club's milestone.

The 2018 NHL Draft™ will be held over two days - Friday, June 22 (Round 1) and Saturday, June 23 (Rounds 2-7). NHL club executives, scouts and coaches will be present on the NHL Draft floor while thousands of fans and hundreds of print, television and radio media are expected to attend.

Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has re-signed forward Gemel Smith to a one-year, two-way contract. 

Smith, 23, posted six points (3-3=6) in 17 games with Dallas last season in his first NHL campaign. The forward made his NHL debut on Oct. 22 against Columbus and registered his first career NHL point with an assist (0-1=1) on Nov. 5 vs. Chicago. He also appeared in 53 games in 2016-17 with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL), registering 33 points (12-21=33). Smith was tied for fourth on the club in assists (21) and his three shorthanded goals last season shared eighth in the AHL.

In his career, Smith has played 186 regular-season AHL games over the span of three seasons with Texas. In total, he has posted 86 points (35-51=86) with a +10 plus/minus rating and 106 penalty minutes. Smith has skated in three career Calder Cup Playoff contests, recording four shots on goal.

The 5-foot-10, 190-pound native of Toronto, Ont. was originally selected by Dallas in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 2012 NHL Draft.

Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has re-signed center Radek Faksa to a three-year, $6.6-million contract. 

Faksa, 23, posted 33 points (12-21=33) in 80 games for Dallas during the 2016-17 regular season, his first full season in the NHL. On the season, he finished fourth on the team with 101 hits and his 33 points were tied for fifth. He finished second amongst team forwards with 62 blocked shots, which were tied for 21st amongst all League forwards.

In his career, Faksa has played 125 regular-season games over two seasons with Dallas. In total, he has posted 45 points (17-28=45). He also appeared in 13 games for the Stars during the 2015-16 Stanley Cup Playoffs, tallying five points (3-2=5) and two game-winning goals.

Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has signed defenseman Miro Heiskanen to a three-year entry level contract.

Heiskanen, 17, played for HIFK of the Finnish Elite League in 2016-17, compiling 10 points (5-5=10) in 37 regular season games, and three points (0-3=3) in eight playoff contests. He also represented Finland at both the 2017 U-20 World Junior Championship and the 2017 U-18 World Junior Championship.

In the U-20 World Junior Championship, he recorded one assist in six games. At the 2017 U-18 World Championship, he registered twelve points (2-10=12) in seven games as Finland captured the silver medal. Heiskanen earned best defenseman honors and was named to the tournament all-star team after leading all skaters in assists and all defensemen in points.

The 6-foot-1, 172 pound native of Espoo, Finland was selected with the third overall pick in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft. 

Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill announced today that the club has re-signed right wing Brett Ritchie to a two-year, $3.5-million contract.

Ritchie, 24, posted 24 points (16-8=24) in 78 games for Dallas during the 2016-17 regular season. His +11 rating was the best on the team and his 15 even-strength goals were tied for the team lead. He was also fourth on the team in both goals and home goals (10).

In his career, Ritchie has played 117 regular-season games over three seasons with Dallas. In total, he has posted 34 points (22-12=34). Ritchie also appeared in two games for the Stars during the 2015-16 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He was a part of the 2013-14 Texas Stars Calder Cup Champion team, contributing 48 points (22-26=48) in 68 regular-season games and 11 points (7-4=11) in 13 games during the playoff run.