The Dallas Stars have established their opening roster for the upcoming 2023-2024 NHL season.
The 22-man roster includes 19 players from last season’s Western Conference Final team and three free-agent additions. The team also placed defenseman Jerad Rosburg and forward Chase Wheatcroft on the injured non-roster list and loaned forward Riley Damiani to the American Hockey League’s Texas Stars to get below the maximum roster size.
Jamie Benn returns as team captain for the 10th year, having spent his entire career with Dallas. Other notables returning are Joe Pavelski, Tyler Seguin, Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, breakout rookie Wyatt Johnston, Evgenii Dadonov, Miro Heiskanen, and standout goalie Jake Oettinger, among others.
Free agent signees Matt Duchene, Sam Steel, and Craig Smith are joining the group. Duchene is the most accomplished and experienced of the bunch, approaching 800 career points and 1,000 games.
Benn, Pavelski, and Ryan Suter could also achieve franchise and NHL milestones this season.
Additionally, Scott Wedgewood is hanging onto the backup goalie job behind Oettinger.
Here is the complete official roster for opening night:
FORWARDS (13)
#10 Ty Dellandrea
#12 Radek Faksa
#14 Jamie Benn
#15 Craig Smith
#16 Joe Pavelski
#18 Sam Steel
#21 Jason Robertson
#24 Roope Hintz
#27 Mason Marchment
#53 Wyatt Johnston
#63 Evgenii Dadonov
#91 Tyler Seguin
#95 Matt Duchene
***
DEFENSEMEN (7)
#2 Jani Hakanpaa
#4 Miro Heiskanen
#5 Nils Lundkvist
#20 Ryan Suter
#23 Esa Lindell
#44 Joel Hanley
#55 Thomas Harley
***
GOALIES (2)
#29 Jake Oettinger
#41 Scott Wedgewood
***
Dallas will begin its season at 7 p.m. CT at home on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. The team will try to continue its run in the Western Conference, reach its first Stanley Cup Final since 2020, and win its first championship since 1999.
Opening night will also include a “green carpet” greeting for players, coaches, and fans, as well as a party open to the public hosted at PNC Plaza outside the American Airlines Center.
