Dallas Stars 2023 Team Awards

Most Valuable Player, Top Point and Goal Scorer

Kirill Kaprizov

69 points, 29 goals, 40 assists, 20:26 minutes per game

After bursting onto the scene in Dallas last season with 24 goals and 65 points, Kirill Kaprizov was recognized as both the team Rookie of the Year and the RHL’s Calder Trophy winner. He managed to play even better this season, leading the team with 29 goals and a really nice 69 points and represented the Stars at the RHL All Star Game. The team hopes he’ll continue to grow and push through his sky high ceiling next season as the team looks to improve its offensive output.

Top Goalie

Ilya Sorokin

91.9% save percentage, 2.23 GAA, 36-23-6 record

During his US debut last season, Ilya Sorokin put up a stellar 94.2% save percentage and 41-12-5 record with the Texas Stars. He certainly earned his promotion to the pro team this season and continued his excellent play. He took the reigns as the workhouse goalie for the Stars, making the maximum 65 starts, and giving the team 36 wins. His 91.9% save percentage led to a great 2.23 goals against average, which kept the team competitive despite a lack of offense.

Top Defenseman and Gentleman of the Year

Jared Spurgeon

26 points, 80 shots blocked, 63 takeaways, 2 PIM, 23:14 minutes per game

For the second year in a row, Jared Spurgeon was voted as the bedrock on the blueline for the Dallas Stars. This continues a long tradition in Dallas, starting with Mike Green, leading to Dustin Byfuglien, and now carried by Spurge. His output was remarkably similar to last season, matching his 26 points and 23 TOI while taking just one minor penalty this year which helped earn him the distinction of the player demonstrating the most gentlemanly conduct. He’ll go into next season once again being the unquestioned #1 defenseman on the team.

Rookie of the Year

Henri Jokiharju

10 points, +2, 59 shots blocked, 45 takeaways, 17:30 minutes per game

While Ilya Sorokin is probably the right choice, SimonT’s portal doesn’t agree that goalies can win Rookie of the Year which mean the honor is bestowed to the other rookie on the team: Henri Jokiharju. He earned this distinction by playing solid minutes on the bottom pair early in the season and managing to make a number of important defensive plays for the team. He’ll be looked to step into a bigger role next season as the team experiences turnover on the blueline.

Top Defensive Forward

Jack Eichel

36 shots blocked, 29 takeaways, 49.1% faceoffs, 0:40 Penalty Kill minutes per game

Somewhat surprisingly, Jack Eichel is recognized for his defensive contributions to the Dallas Stars this season. But those behind the scenes aren’t surprised, as Eichel has worked with the Stars coaching staff to develop that side of his game. He spent this season still recovering from his major neck injury and realized that would hold him back from being the same dynamic offensive player for a while. He took fewer minutes on the power play and at even strength while taking a major role on the penalty kill and helped make the Stars one of the most effective teams down a man this season.

Qualities of Perseverance and Sportsmanship

Nikita Kucherov

64 points, 26 goals, 38 assists, 19:13 minutes per game after missing 2021-22 season with hip injury

During the 2021 offseason, the Dallas Stars received devastating news: Nikita Kucherov’s ailing hip would require major surgery and he would miss the 2021-22 RHL season. The team lost their captain and offensive leader and struggled to fill those big holes. But this season, Captain Kuch made a triumphant return from his difficult injury. While he hasn’t managed to get back to his former Hart Trophy winning ways, he was one of the best players on the team and should be back to himself in time for next season.