Five games into the regular season, after two consecutive years of first-round playoff eliminations under head coach Jared Bednar, the Dallas Stars finally pulled the plug and fired Bednar after what GM habsfan93 felt was a lackluster start to the season. The Stars started the year 2-2-1 in their first five, but both wins came in OT and the Stars only scored more than 2 goals once in those five games.

"Last year, our offence was totally anemic with most players posting their lowest statistical seasons in years. After five games, I'd seen enough to want to try and avoid a repeat of that. It became clear that the team wasn't buying into Bednar's offensive strategy and we needed to bring a new voice and system into the room." - GM habsfan93

In Season 19, Dallas once again succeeded yet struggled in what was ultimately a season of dichotomies. Although their 47 wins represented a 7-win improvement on S19 and the third highest total in franchise history, their position in the standings remained static and they once again failed to move past the quarter-finals in the postseason. A post-season analysis revealed that Dallas finished the season as one of the best defensive teams in the CMHL, finishing 3rd overall in goals against per game. Yet they also finished the season as one of the worst offensive teams in the league, highlighted by a stunningly disappointing season for Brayden Point, who went from a career-high 108 points in S18 to only 67 points in S19. In fact, no player on the Stars scored more than 75 points last season. This left more questions that answers for the offseason and GM habsfan93. 

Meanwhile, the ICHF Minnesota North Stars continued to build on their successes, winning the ICHF Central Division in S19 by just one point, this just two years after missing the ICHF playoffs in GM habsfan93's first full season with the Stars. They then took their division rival Flaming Poo to Game 7 of the quarter-finals before luck turned the other cheek and graced the Poo's cheeks with success. Nevertheless, S19 marked a continued upward trajectory for Minnesota with high hopes for S20.

Let's take a look at what changes are in store for the Season 20 Stars and North Stars...

After losing in the first round in both the CMHL and ICHF last year, the Dallas Stars and their farm team Minnesota North Stars will look to avoir first-round defeats at the hands of Vancouver and False Creek this time around. Here's a breakdown of the matchups.

Following a big Season 17, the Dallas Stars seemed to take a step backwards in Season 18, though by most standards, they still had a successful season. But when you're coming off a President's Trophy and Conference Finals loss, expectations are high. So even though Dallas finished 6th in a very tight Western Conference (only 4 points out of 3rd), following a devastating Game 7 loss in the quarter-finals to the eventual cup finalist Predators, GM habsfan93 felt more than dissapointed. 

Meanwhile, where CMHL success didn't come easily, the ICHF Minnesota North Stars turned their fortunes around and went from a non-playoff team to finishing 4th in the Western Conference and 5th overall in the ICHF. Sadly, however, they too bowed out to the Predators farm team, the Knoxville Ice Bears, in the quarter-finals. Needless to say, a little rivalry between Dallas and Nashville appears to have taken root.

Let's take a look at what changes are in store for the Season 19 Stars and North Stars...

In a weird twist, the Dallas Stars are facing the Nashville Predators in both the CMHL and ICHF quarter-finals of the S18 playoffs. The Stars won Game 1 of the both series and hope to move forward in both leagues. Here's a breakdown of each of the matchups.

It's been a rollercoaster Season 18 for the Dallas Stars that saw them fall out of the playoff race at mid-season but a 13-4-3 record in their last 20 games has them back at the top of the Central Division in a very competitive Western Conference. With 24 games remaining, can Dallas maintain this pace and secure a top 4 playoff berth or will they be fighting for their playoff lives down to the wire? Can Brayden Point maintain his torrid pace and win the Art Ross Trophy as the league's top scorer?

After winning the President's Trophy in Season 17 and bowing out to the Blues in the Western Conference Finals, the Dallas Stars will be looking to build on that success and take home the Cup in Season 18. The core of the team is back but this year's team will still have a different look. Meanwhile, the ICHF Minnesota North Stars underwent a total revamp in an attempt to bring them into the playoffs this year.

The Dallas Stars surprised a lot of people last season by making the playoffs with a roster that many GM's didn't think had the potential to go very far. Not only did they make the playoffs, but they hit the majestic 100 point mark for the 3rd time in 4 seasons. Dallas has never missed the playoffs in CMHL history, one of only a handful of teams that can lay claim to that feat. Sporting a roster that is somewhat, but not altogether different from last season's, GM Adam Roy (aka StarsGM) will look to continue the streak and maintain hold of the dubious title. He'll need a second straight standout season from young goalie Alex Auld if that is to come true.