Stars sign Justin Hryckowian to two-year contract extension

“Justin has been a valuable asset to our team this year and has proven this season that he belongs in the NHL,” said Stars’ general manager Jim Nill. “His ability to operate in all facets of our lineup has been crucial to our team maintaining its pace this year despite various injuries. We look forward to watching Justin continue to develop on the ice and as a member of our organization.”

The 24-year-old Hryckowian has six goals and seven assists for 13 points in 42 games with Dallas this season. He is fifth among NHL rookies with 66 hits this year.

An undrafted free agent, Hryckowian spent parts of two seasons in the AHL with the Stars’ minor-league affiliate, the Texas Stars, scoring 23 goals and 40 assists for 63 points in 79 career games.

He spent three seasons playing college hockey with Northeastern University, where he scored 35 goals and 66 assists for 101 points in 94 career NCAA games. Before committing to Northeastern, he spent two seasons in the USHL, where he scored 21 goals and 31 assists for 52 points in 61 games with the Sioux City Musketeers and Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.

The Stars are 25-10-8 with 58 points in 44 games, which ranks third in the Central Division, the Western Conference and NHL standings.

Forward Mikko Rantanen leads the team in assists and points with 42 and 59, respectively, while Jason Robertson has a team-leading 25 goals. Wyatt Johnston is right behind him with 23 goals.

Defenseman Miro Heiskanen leads in all offensive categories for defenders with seven goals and 29 assists for 36 points.