Texas Stars Sign Derek Meech to AHL Contract
Jan 6, 2014CEDAR PARK, Texas – The Texas Stars, proud American Hockey League affiliate of the Dallas Stars, announced today that the club has signed defenseman Derek Meech to a standard AHL contract.
Meech, 29, signs with Texas after beginning the season in Belarus, playing for HC Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), where he had five assists and 14 penalty minutes in 23 games played. Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the seventh round (229th overall) of the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native is in his tenth professional season and has appeared in 144 career NHL games with Detroit and the Winnipeg Jets, where he has 17 career points (4 goals, 13 assists). Meech has skated in 356 career AHL games with the Grand Rapids Griffins and the St. John’s IceCaps, registering 127 points (30 goals, 97 assists) and 284 penalty minutes.
The 5’11”, 200 lbs. defenseman won the 2008 Stanley Cup with Detroit, while he also won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2004 IIHF Under-20 World Championships in Finland and was named to the 2013 AHL All-Star Classic, representing St. John’s with the Eastern Conference All-Stars. Meech played parts of five seasons of major junior hockey for the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League, winning the 2001 WHL Championship and the 2001 Memorial Cup. In 263 career WHL games, he had 97 points (27 goals, 70 assists) and 168 penalty minutes, while also appearing in 77 career WHL playoff games and posting 19 points (6 goals, 13 assists) and 45 penalty minutes.
The Texas Stars return to action on Friday, January 10th to host the West Division-leading Abbotsford Heat for a 7:30 p.m. face off at Cedar Park Center. Friday’s game against the Heat is a $3 Draft Beer and $4 Robert Mondavi Private Selection Wine Night and is the Stars Cell Phone Dot giveaway. Pro-rated full and partial 2013-14 Texas Stars Season Tickets are on sale now. For more information on Texas Stars season tickets call (512) GO-STARS (467-8277) or visit www.TexasStarsHockey.com.