Dallas Stars sign defenseman Aram Minnetian to three-year NHL deal
The Dallas Stars have signed defenseman Aram Minnetian to a three-year, entry-level contract. General Manager Jim Nill confirmed the deal on 24 March 2026, with the agreement set to begin in the 2026-27 season. Before then, the 21-year-old will join the Texas Stars, Dallas's AHL affiliate, for the rest of the current campaign. Minnetian, a native of Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, was first drafted by the Stars in the fourth round (125th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft. He spent the past three seasons at Boston College, where he became a reliable top-four defenseman. In his final junior year, he recorded 11 points in 36 games and led the team with 36 blocked shots.
Before college, Minnetian played for the U.S. National Development Program in 2022-23, posting 31 points in 62 games. His international career includes two gold medals with Team USA: at the 2023 U18 World Championship, where he scored four points in seven games, and at the 2025 U20 World Junior Championship, where he added two assists in six matches.
The contract will officially start in 2026-27, but Minnetian will first gain professional experience with the Texas Stars. His defensive skills and championship pedigree are expected to strengthen Dallas's future blue line.
