Having ten signings announced already including a full brit core, the Dundee Stars have not messed around with their business so far this offseason. From huge names joining to key players staying, let's take a dive into the 2024/2025 Dundee Stars.
Every team needs a go to guy, a captain, a leader, a club legend, Dundee have one of those in their players, assistant coach Dryden Dow. Dow is returning for his 6th season as a Star as head coach Marc LeFebvre looks to install a real fear factor in his team. Having scored 37 points last season, Dow was one of 5 players to play every league game. The 31-year-old defenceman has made himself a fan favourite, as Dundee fans have seen him on every Stars roster since the beginning of the 2018/2019 season. The skill of Dow will no doubt help his team in their goal of securing a playoff place for the second year in a row. A new addition to the Stars blue line is IIHF World Championship goal scorer Ben O’Connor. The blockbuster signing had many fans stumped as the 35-year-old left what seemed to be a very suitable home in Guildford for a 2-year contract playing for LeFebvre. The 2-time Elite Ice Hockey League champion will bring lots of offence to the Stars as his game going forward is not matched by many. Last season, O’Connor played 52 league games and scored 35 points. His contribution in the Flames semi final loss to Sheffield in the playoffs also didn’t go unmissed as the defenceman played the second most minutes of any Guildford player recording 22.06 minutes. Also rejoining the defensive effort is long time servant Kris Inglis. Inglis, who has been involved in Dundee Hockey for his entire career, only played 35 games last season where he recorded 3 points. Missing a fair chunk of the season through injury, Inglis will be hoping to stay fit for the whole season this year as he and his team battles for a playoff place. Another player who didn’t play a full season last year is returning import Xavier Pouliot. After joining the Stars close to the end of the season, Pouliot recorded 4 points in 14 games in the Elite League. Joining from the Wichita Thunder (ECHL) where he scored 9 points in 41 appearances there. The 25-year-old will be hoping to add more defensive solidity to Dundee’s back line as he will likely partner O’Connor or Dow who are more offensive players. Another player likely to partner with O’Connor or Dow is Kyle Pouncy. Standing at 6’3”, Pouncy is a big body who will be able to bring a big physical presence on the ice. Playing 52 games last season, the 28 year old Canadian registered 15 points in league play. This is a good bit of business by LeFebvre as they look to maintain their playoff place and hopefully get into the last 4 of the challenge cup.
Moving onto the forwards, the Stars have managed to sign the duo of Brett Gravelle and Keanu Yamamoto from the Rapid City Rush for the 2024/2025 season. Both players played every game for the Rush last season and recorded a good number of points. Gravelle, who scored 52 points in the ECHL, will be looking to be a top line forward for LeFebvre as his goal scoring ability is like that of Ryan Valentini. However, Yamamoto seems to turn provider a lot more as his 48 points last campaign was made up of 29 assists and 19 goals. The American duo will most likely be linemates for the upcoming 2024/2025 season as the Stars aim for a playoff finish yet again. To do that is more or less impossible without a Brit core and Dundee have got returnees Craig Garrigan, Jonathan McBean and Craig Moore signed up for the 2024/2025 season. Although they do not pop up in the scoring charts much, the likes of McBean and Moore who played every game in league action last season are crucial for a fourth line unit when in busy parts of the season. Allowing more rests for the top end forwards and penalty killing duties, Dundee’s homegrown talent will be a pivotal part to if they will succeed or not next season. Scoring 9 points in 54 games, Craig Moore was the top scorer out of the trio last season. Although head coach LeFebvre has said he will start the season as a forward, Moore has an ability to play both positions and swing if needed.
Having the most signings announced by any club so far, the Dundee Stars are keen to get the 2024/2025 season underway. With half a roster announced it will be interesting to see which direction the club heads in next.
Wrote by Will Harris
Proofread by Calan Yule
Edited by Calan Yule
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