After the Dallas Stars lost 2-0 at the hands of the Boston Bruins last night, they’ve recalled both Gemel Smith and Justin Dowling. Each player has spent time with both the NHL and AHL clubs this season. With Curtis McKenzie headed back to Dallas for treatment on his eye, and Ales Hemsky back on the mend with an injured hip, the team needed reinforcements for their matchup tomorrow night against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Smith, 22, has made the bigger impact at the NHL level this season playing in 12 games and registering three points. After Dustin Byfuglien attacked Antoine Roussel at the end of a game in November, Smith tried to get at the big defender but was held off by Brandon Tanev. After dropping the gloves with Tanev, both were sent off for five and a game misconduct. At the AHL level, he’s been an effective scoring threat with 30 points in 50 games.
Dowling, 26, also made his NHL debut this season and got into five games with Dallas. Registering two assists, he’s still looking for his first NHL goal after several successful years with the Texas Stars. The former Swift Current Broncos center signed with the Stars as an undrafted free agent in 2014 after playing on an AHL deal for a few seasons. He has 28 points in 49 AHL games this season, a step back from his previous years.