Stars Make Five Selections on Draft's First Day

FRISCO, Tex. - The Dallas Stars have concluded the first day of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft at RBC Center in Raleigh, NC, and made five selections over the first three rounds. Over the last three drafts, the Stars have made 15 picks in the first three rounds (five in 2004, four in 2003, six in 2002). During today's draft, Dallas traded its 20th pick to New Jersey for the 22nd and 88th selections and then dealt the 22nd and 153rd picks to San Jose for the 28th, 52nd and 91st selections this year. The Stars then traded the 91st pick this season to Vancouver for the Canucks' 2005 third round selection and the 88th selection this season to Washington for the Capitals' 2005 third round pick.

After the four trades, the Stars then made five picks in the first three rounds, and the club used those selections on: Mark Fistric of Vancouver of the Western Hockey League (1st round, 28th overall), Johan Fransson of Lulea of the Swedish Elite League (2nd round, 34th overall), Raymond Sawada of Nanaimo of the British Columbia Hockey League (2nd round 52nd overall), Niklas Grossman of Sweden's Sodertalje Jr. (2nd round, 56th overall) and John Lammers of Lethbridge of the Western Hockey League (3rd round, 86th overall).

"Overall we're very happy with the five players we drafted today because we addressed some needs," Stars Director of Amateur Scouting Tim Bernhardt said. "We needed to get some good young defenseman and we feel we got them. We drafted two of the big strong defensemen we were targeting."

DALLAS STARS DRAFT PROFILES:

Mark Fistric

2003-2004 stats with Vancouver (WHL): 72 GP, 1-11-12 pts, 192 PIM

Tim Bernhardt, Dallas Stars Director of Amateur Scouting: "Mark is a defensive defenseman, a big strong kid. He's got an edge to him and uses his size well out there on the ice. He's tough to play against and we like that a lot about him. Mark is a good character player with not a lot of offense but he can make the first pass out of the zone and we are very pleased to draft him."

Mark Fistric: "I'm a rugged, stay at home, solid defenseman. I feel like I'm a reliable defenseman who is physical, strong and hard to play against."

Johan Fransson

Tim Bernhardt, Dallas Stars Director of Amateur Scouting: "Johan is a skilled defenseman who is an excellent skater. His offensive game is what he's all about. He needs to get stronger, but again, he's only 18. We feel he has some tools that will help him become a good hockey player."

Johan Fransson: "I'm an offensive-minded defenseman who can skate up with the puck, shoot and make good passes. I want to become bigger, stronger and play tougher."

Raymond Sawada

Tim Bernhardt, Dallas Stars Director of Amateur Scouting: "Ray is a solid two-way player. He plays physical and uses a good combination of grit and skill."

Raymond Sawada: "I'm a power forward who leads the fore-check and gets the puck to the guys who score goals."

Niklas Grossman

Tim Bernhardt, Dallas Stars Director of Amateur Scouting: "Nik is a big physical defenseman who plays to his size. He is an adequate puck-mover. Nik is also tough to play against which is a trait we love in scouting these players. "

John Lammers

2003-2004 stats with Lethbridge (WHL): 62 GP, 21-24-45 pts, 31 PIM

Tim Bernhardt, Dallas Stars Director of Amateur Scouting: "John is a skilled guy that has good offensive capabilities. Last year he played for the Canadian Under-18 Team and will be back at Lethbridge next year. He should step up as an offensive player where he has a great up-side."

The Stars will conclude the 2004 NHL Entry Draft on Sunday with rounds four - nine. Dallas has the sixth pick in the fourth round (104 overall), the 183rd overall pick in the sixth round, the 218th overall pick in the seventh round, the 248th overall pick in the eighth round, and the 280th overall pick in the ninth round.