Dallas Stars Recall Matěj Blümel, Justin Hryckowian
Jan. 16: The team announced that Blümel is back up today as expected, but Hyry isn’t coming with him. He stays in the AHL while forward Justin Hryckowian, who made his NHL debut in Dallas’ final two games of the 2024 calendar year, gets another crack at playing time. Both are expected to play tonight against the Canadiens while Marchment remains out, and center Roope Hintz also sits after sustaining an upper-body injury in the first period of Tuesday’s win over the Maple Leafs, per Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports. Hryckowian averaged just 6:40 per game and went without a point or shot on goal last month.
Jan. 15: The Stars organization announced they’ve reassigned Blümel and his linemate, Arttu Hyry to their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars. Dallas doesn’t play until tomorrow night when they take on the Montreal Canadiens so both forwards should be expected back on the roster by tomorrow afternoon at the latest. It largely reads as a paper transaction allowing the Stars to accrue precious cap space.
Jan. 11: The Dallas Stars have recalled forward Matěj Blümel from the minor leagues. He is expected to serve as insurance with the Stars headed for back-to-back games this weekend, shares NHL.com’s Bruce LeVine.
Blümel was recalled for a spot start in the NHL lineup on October 19th. He recorded one hit, two shots, and no scoring in the outing. The game brought Blümel up to seven career games in the NHL, combining with his six games and one goal from the 2022-23 campaign. He’s otherwise been a standout in the minor leagues, standing as one of the Texas Stars’ top scorers in each of the last three seasons. He leads the team in goals (18) and points (32) through 32 games this year. He also led Texas in goals last season, with 31 in 71 games – but his 62 points ranked second behind Mavrik Bourque’s 77-point campaign.
Dallas is dealing with long-term injuries to both Mason Marchment and Tyler Seguin. Their absences have pushed Arttu Hyry into a routine role, and solidified Bourque and Oskar Back’s spots in the lineup. But Hyry only has one point in four games, while Bourque and Back have nine and 10 points in 35 games respectively. That meager scoring could make Blümel’s change-of-pace speed a valuable asset as the Stars look to continue their hot 7-2-1 record from their last 10 games.
Stars Recall Arttu Hyry For NHL Debut
The Stars have recalled rookie forward Arttu Hyry from AHL Texas, the club announced Thursday morning. He is expected to make his NHL debut tonight against the Senators as left-winger Mason Marchment remains week-to-week with his facial injury.
Hyry, 23, is in his first season in North America. Dallas signed the undrafted Finn to a two-year, $1.74MM entry-level contract in April after he recorded a career-high 14 goals, 17 assists and 31 points in 55 games for Liiga’s Kärpät in 2023-24.
After signing his rookie deal with the Stars, Finland named Hyry to their roster for the 2024 World Championship. He scored twice and added an assist in eight games, posting a +1 rating, as Finland advanced to the quarterfinals but lost to Sweden in overtime.
The Stars made Hyry a late cut from their training camp roster, waiting until Oct. 5 to assign the waiver-exempt right-winger/center to the AHL. He’s since fit like a glove on one of the AHL’s highest-scoring teams, posting 14 goals and 12 assists for 26 points in his first 29 appearances for the Baby Stars. He’s also amid a 10-game point streak, during which time he’s posted eight goals and five assists.
Hyry’s offensive production ranks third on the team, and his +10 rating is second on the club behind recent call-up Justin Hryckowian. The latter is back in the minors for the time being after averaging 6:40 of time on ice through his first two career NHL games, meaning Hyry gets a chance to skate in a fourth-line role for the big club.
The Stars are down to one open spot on their active roster after recalling Hyry. He will be a restricted free agent with arbitration eligibility in the summer of 2026, at which point he’ll be due an $813,750 qualifying offer, per PuckPedia.
Team Finland Announces Final 2024 World Championship Roster
Team Finland has finalized their roster for the 2024 IIHF World Championship, with the additions of Jesse Puljujarvi and Valtteri Puustinen bringing the lineup to a full 23 skaters and three goalies. The lineup isn’t too deep with NHL talent, though it does feature top 2024 NHL Draft prospect Konsta Helenius, who joined the Men’s squad after posting seven points, all assists, in five games at the World U18 Championship. Helenius will have a chance to learn from San Jose Sharks centerman Mikael Granlund – who plays a similar pass-first, high-tempo style. Finland will hope the duo can click, with the support of NHL wingers, as they chase their third gold medal over the last five World Championships.
The full roster is as follows:
F Hannes Björninen (Örebro, SHL)
F Mikael Granlund (Sharks, NHL)
F Konsta Helenius (Jukurit, Liiga)
F Arttu Hyry (Kärpät, Liiga)
F Jere Innala (Frölunda, SHL)
F Juha Jääskä (HIFK, Liiga)
F Pekka Jormakka (Jukurit, Liiga)
F Oliver Kapanen (KalPa, Liiga, Canadiens)
F Saku Mäenalanen (SCL, National League)
F Ahti Oksanen (Oskarshamn, SHL)
F Iiro Pakarinen (HIFK, Liiga)
F Patrik Puistola (Jukurit, Liiga)
F Jesse Puljujarvi (Penguins, NHL)
F Valtteri Puustinen (Penguins, NHL)
D Oliwer Kaski (HV71, SHL)
D Mikko Lehtonen (ZSC, National League)
D Olli Määttä (Red Wings, NHL)
D Jesper Mattila (KalPa, Liiga)
D Juuso Riikola (SCL, National League)
D Rasmus Rissanen (Örebro, SHL)
D Vili Saarijärvi (SCL, National League)
D Veli-Matti Vittasmäki (Tappara, Liiga)
G Emil Larmi (Växjö, SHL)
G Lassi Lehtinen (MoDo, SHL)
G Harri Säteri (Biel, National League)
The World Championship is set to kick off in Ostrava and Prague, Czechia beginning on May 10. Finland will once again be commanded by head coach Jukka Jalonen set to coach in his 10th World Championship. Jalonen has also manned the Finnish bench at the World Juniors and served as a coach in the KHL and Liiga. He now works with Finland’s Men’s team full-time, building out this year’s roster with general manager Jere Lehtinen. Lehtinen, an 875-game veteran of the NHL and former Stanley Cup winner, has served as the GM for Finland’s men’s team for the last nine seasons.
Stars Sign Arttu Hyry To Entry-Level Deal
The Stars have signed forward Arttu Hyry to a two-year, entry-level deal beginning next season, the team announced. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Hyry, 23, lands his first NHL contract after going undrafted during his eligible period between 2019 and 2022. He’s spent the last six seasons in the Kärpät organization in Finland, making his top-level Liiga debut in 2020-21 before embarking on three seasons in full-team roles with the club.
The speedy 6’2″ forward can play both right-wing and center. He’s coming off a breakout season with Kärpät, recording 31 points (14 goals, 17 assists) with a +19 rating in 55 games. That performance was good enough for fifth in team scoring, and his rating was highest among forwards. He added three goals in 11 postseason contests as Kärpät was eliminated in the semifinals by Pelicans last weekend – he scored the lone goal in a 2-1 overtime loss in the series-deciding Game 5.
The Oulu native was under contract with Kärpät through next season, but the Stars can buy out the contract thanks to the NHL’s transfer agreement with the Liiga. The Stars now have him inked through 2026, at which point he’ll be an RFA upon the expiry of his deal. They’ll maintain team control until the 2028 offseason, at which point he’ll be eligible for unrestricted free agency. He’s a long shot to crack a deep Stars forward group next season and should be expected to begin the year with AHL Texas.