CEDAR PARK, Texas — The Dallas Stars own two of the top prospects in the American Hockey League (AHL): Mavrik Bourque (2021 first-round pick) and Logan Stankoven (2022 second-round pick), who leads the AHL in scoring with 54 points each.
The interview, which has been slightly edited for clarity, was conducted with the young stars by The Athletic on Feb. 2, during the Texas Stars game versus the Bakersfield Condors, covering a range of issues.
Has it been tough to have the season you’re having and not get a taste of the NHL yet?
Bourque: No, not at first. For the first few months, you just go about your business. But after a while, you start thinking about it, and that is where I believe you can hurt yourself. I have discussed it with the coaches and my agent. Of course, you want to play in the NHL someday, but when you consider the big picture—I recently turned 22—you realize that while you want to be in the NHL, you are also going to keep improving and becoming more and more prepared. The objective is not to fluctuate; it is to stay there.
I think it is the same thing for Stank; you see it, you are having a good season and you do not get called up, but at the same time, it is not bad to just be here, having fun. One day, my chance will come. It is just a matter of when, but I know it will come. There was a part of me that was like, yeah, I want to be there, but I realized that it is not a bad thing being here.
If you look at it, there is no better example than (Thomas Harley). Dallas has done this a lot in the past, and it works for most people, even in the past with Roope (Hintz), (Jason Robertson) a few years ago, (Ty Dellandrea), too. You have to trust that those guys, like Jim (Nill), have a lot of respect for the guys down here. They come here frequently and they talk to us frequently. I believe this is a sign that they care deeply about our growth. However, you also have to do your own thing and make sure you do not waste time.
Stankoven: You just can not think about it. Our time will come. You want to position yourself to be called up as soon as possible to be called upon when they do need a guy, or when someone gets hurt and you are the one that gets called upon. This is something I am still working on in my game, but for me, it is about taking care of my own zone and being more responsible as a winger or centerman, whatever position I may be at. I can make plays offensively, but you also have to keep the puck out of the goal.
The biggest thing right now is to try and help our team win and keep working on certain pieces of our game. Nobody is perfect. When you get to that level, you want to fit in perfect. That is just what I am learning so far. It would be great to be playing in the best league in the world, but that is just the situation that we are in. I think everything happens for a reason. The AHL is a great development league.
What things have you been keying on this year for yourself?
Bourque: Every year, I focus on my overall game, which is simply playing the 200-foot game. Being a smaller player, I find it more difficult to battle in the defensive zone against bigger players, so I have to put my body in that position. Some nights will be harder than others, but my goal is to be the most consistent. Your best game should not be extremely high, and your worst should not be very low. My goal is to find a line between those two.
Stankoven: Just general confidence; being able to hold onto the puck a little longer; the league moves so quickly when you first start; it is not like junior hockey, where you have to be aware of your surroundings because the players are bigger; I have been able to find a little more confidence in my game and just feel more at ease with the puck.
What has this entire two-year experience as a pro in the AHL been like for you?
Bourque: Everyone wants to be in the NHL. Growing up, I would have taken any opportunity to be close to being a call-up and to have a fantastic season in my second pro year. It is only been a year and a half, but it feels longer. There have been many ups and downs. At the end of the day, you just have to trust the process and enjoy yourself and the time that you are here. That is what I am trying to do here, working with my people around me and making sure I am in the present moment and enjoying my time here. I think that is the best thing for me to be a good player. When you are in it, you do not really realize it, but when you do, I think that is when you can be really good.
Did you expect your first pro season to go like this?
Stankoven: Since there are always players being drafted in the upcoming years and other guys coming out that are always trying to take your spot, you want to make the most of the opportunity that you are given. To be honest, I did not set too high of expectations because this is a really good league and it is not an easy one to produce in, especially being a younger guy and a smaller guy, too. It just comes down to coaches giving me opportunities.
How have you felt your friendship with Mavrik develop throughout this season?
Stankoven: He is fantastic; he leads our team so well. I do not think it is just what happens on the ice; we all see how good of a player he is as fans and spectators, but also the work he does in the gym and on his days off, how he takes care of his body, and his dedication to finding small ways to improve. He is someone I look up to, so when we have extra ice on certain days, we will try to go together and do some shooting or some edge work and things like that. Working with him has been a lot of fun.
It is not a competition at all, in my opinion; he is a fantastic player, and it is enjoyable to play with him. Some people try to make it seem that way, but that is not what Bourquey and I are about. Our goal is to get to the NHL together, and while he might get there first or vice versa, that is not what it is about. Success, in my opinion, comes from having a couple of good players on a line who can work together and not be selfish. He sees the rink so well, and he makes some really amazing plays. I am really lucky to play with a guy like that.
(Photo of Logan Stankoven: Bailey Hillesheim / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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