Dallas Drafts Bobcat Alumnus Hintz
SUNRISE, FL – After years of preparation and just over one day of waiting, former Bismarck Bobcats winger Roope Hintz heard his name called at the 2015 NHL Draft, going to the Dallas Stars 49th overall—mid-way through the second round.
“It’s really an amazing feeling to be drafted,” gushed Hintz, who watched the Draft from home in Tampere, Finland. “It’s such an honor and I am so excited to be a part of the Dallas Stars [organization].”
Hintz played an early portion of the 2012-13 season with the Bobcats before making the decision to play professionally for Ilves, his hometown club in Tampere.
At 49th, Hintz becomes the highest-selected Bobcat in franchise history and is also the earliest selection for a former NAHL skater since 2011 (Adam Clendening, 36th).
The last time a Bobcat alum went in the Draft was 2001, when Bismarck native James Massen (1998-99) went in the fifth round to the New Jersey Devils.
“As an organization, we are very, very proud of Roope,” extolled Bobcats head coach and general manager Layne Sedevie, who traded for Hintz in the fall of 2012. “We were only able to work with him for a short time but even then his talent was very apparent. More importantly than that, though, he is a fine young man who remains in contact with our staff to this day.”
Though they took him in the second round, Dallas felt Hintz had the value of a lottery pick.
“We had him in the top 15 on our [draft board],” Stars director of amateur scouting Joe McDonnell told DallasStars.com. “He’s a real good skater and was very effective for Finland at the [World Junior Championships].”
For the Bobcats, a busy 2015 offseason continues on Friday, July 17, as Main Camp returns to the VFW Sports Center, running through Sunday the 19th. As always, Main Camp is open to the public with free admission.
Season tickets are now on sale for 2015-16; if you want to beat the rush of 40,000 fans for next season, now is the time! Call 222-3300 today to reserve your seats.