AUSTIN (KXAN) — It’s that time of year again: the Texas Stars are back on the ice for the 2025-26 season.
The American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL’s Dallas Stars announced the team will host the Grand Rapids Griffins on Friday.
Before the season opener, KXAN caught up with new head coach Toby Petersen, who succeeded former head coach Neil Graham after he was named an assistant coach with the Dallas Stars earlier this year.
“I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to be with this organization,” Petersen told reporters.
According to the Stars, Petersen brings over two decades of experience to the team.
“He has been successful as a player in both the NHL and AHL and has held coaching positions in both leagues,” Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nill said after the July announcement. “Toby understands what it takes to build and develop a championship caliber team, as he has been part of winning a Calder Cup as a player and coach. Additionally, his familiarity with our organization is invaluable and will no doubt help us continue the culture that has been established in Cedar Park.”
Petersen is no stranger to the franchise or the Austin area. He played on the Dallas Stars from 2007-13 and the Texas Stars from 2012-14, according to the Stars.
Petersen reflected on the past few weeks of training camp ahead of the season.
“It’s been a thrill, actually. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” Petersen said. “It came with a lot of preparation. Weeks and months to arrive here in Austin. But it’s been a great group to work with aside from myself, so that’s worked a lot. That’s helped the transition.”
With a chip on their shoulder after falling short in game six of the Western Conference Finals last season, the team looks to enter a new era in hopes of clinching another title.
Texas Stars COO Michael Delay told KXAN the team looks forward to welcoming fans back for its 17th season at Cedar Park.
“If you come to our games, you see the energy. You feel it. You get hooked,” Delay said. “Nothing is better than coming to the rink and seeing a game live. What better place to be in the Fall and Winter than a Texas Stars game?”
The matchup against the Grand Rapids Griffins kicks off at 7 p.m. at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park.
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