On Saturday August 20th, Dallas Stars prospect Logan Stankoven, and Team Canada won the golf at the World Juniors. Facing off against rival Team Finland, the Canadians went on to win the win the game, and the championship within four minutes into overtime in a wild sequence that led to the game winning goal Stankoven assisted on.
Playing with Team Canada
Standing at 5-foot-8, Logan Stankoven plays hard for somebody at a “small” stature. Stankoven plays with a lot of energy, speed, and physicality. This hard work, and dedication on the ice has taken notice from Canadian teammate Ronan Seeley.
“He’s a little fireball out there,” Canadian defenseman Ronan Seeley said after Canada’s 6-3 win over Switzerland in the quarterfinal. “That’s the kind of thing we see in the (WHL), and it came out of him today. It couldn’t have come out at a better time.”
Game winning assist for gold
Last weekend the Canadians, and Logan Stankoven went golden. It was Stankoven who got the golden apple to help seal the deal. With a toe drag assist on Kent Johnson’s overtime winner, the Canadians went on to celebrate. Stankoven talked about the game, and overtime afterwards.
“It’s been unbelievable, going from playing in the gold medal game and the atmosphere and the fans and just how loud it was and the crazy sequence there in overtime to win the gold medal on home soil,” said Stankoven, the 19-year-old forward from the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League
“It’s such a great feeling and experience for myself, Dylan and the rest of our team. It’s been a crazy last couple days and something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Puck on a string
During the World Juniors, the faceoff dot was dominated by Logan Stankoven. Puck possession is something every NHL team wants to have. And having control of the puck starts at the drop of a puck. Stankoven was one of the best at doing it on the junior level, and can certainly translate to the NHL.
Accolades
During his young hockey career, Logan Stankoven has already received many outstanding awards. All of these awards were in the past year, too. Stankoven has had a promising youth career with the Kamloops Blazers in the WHL.
Future in Dallas
Stars scouts are excited for their 47th overall pick of the 2021 NHL draft. Logan Stankoven has great confidence in his game, and is always looking forward to proving his doubters wrong. Texas Stars coach Neil Graham notes how Stankoven’s mentality translates into his game on ice.
“He has a confidence when he walks into the room and onto the ice that’s noticeable, and that translates into his game,” Graham said. “We all know he’s an explosive player with a heavy shot but a quick release, and he plays the game fast.”
“I think one of the biggest things with young players in general is their play away from the puck,” he said. “Learning some of those pro habits, some of the details, it’s not to be thinking defensively, it’s so you’re in the right position away from the puck to ensure you get that puck on your stick again quicker.
“He’s a player that wants the puck on his stick, and I think as we see his game evolve and mature, a lot of that just comes with repetition and time.”
Photo credit: Juan Figueroa/Dallas Morning News Staff Photographer
There’s always going to be hype for a draft pick. Especially in this case of Logan Stankoven. However, this prospect could see some playing time in Dallas as soon as this upcoming season for a team looking for more goal scoring.
Logan Stankoven could eventually find himself comparable to Tyler Seguin back in the mid 2k10s. Down the road we could even start comparing him to somebody like Joe Nieuwendyk. Considering his winners mentality, and his dominance on the faceoff dot.
Featured photo: Twitter app @DallasStars
