Cedar Park, TX – Samu Tuomaala's arrival in the Dallas Stars organization is already making waves, with the young Finn making his debut for the Texas Stars on November 2nd. The Stars acquired Tuomaala from the Philadelphia Flyers on October 30th in exchange for defenseman Christian Kyrou. This move aims to inject speed, pressure, and a right-flank shot into the Texas Stars' lineup.
Tuomaala, born on January 8, 2003, in Oulu, Finland, is a 22-year-old right-winger. Selected by the Flyers in the second round (46th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, Tuomaala brings a blend of skill and potential to the Stars organization. Prior to the trade, he played three games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms this season. In the 2024-25 season, Tuomaala tallied 32 points (11 goals, 21 assists) in 46 games with the Phantoms. Throughout his 120-game AHL career, all with Lehigh Valley, he recorded 75 points (26 goals, 49 assists).
In his Texas Stars debut against the Manitoba Moose, Tuomaala opened the scoring early in the second period. His goal, initially recorded as a deflection off a Moose defender, showcased his straight-line speed and offensive instincts. Texas Stars Head Coach Toby Petersen noted Tuomaala's good vision and understanding of offensive angles. The Texas Stars ultimately won the game 2-1 in overtime, securing their first victory of the season. Following his debut, the Texas Stars continued their winning streak with a 3-0 road win on November 3rd and a 4-1 home win on November 7th, giving Tuomaala a positive environment to adjust to his new team.
Scouting reports indicate that Tuomaala excels in footraces and attacking the middle of the ice. He utilizes quick crossovers to build speed and leans on his inside edge to maneuver past defenders. His offensive entries include cutting inside near the circles or slowing at the dots to hit the middle lane. Away from the puck, he has a knack for finding soft spots on the weak side and arriving early in the slot for quick finishes. Defensively, he tracks through the middle, lifts sticks, and disrupts exits.
The acquisition of Tuomaala addresses a need for the Dallas Stars to add speed and skill to their AHL affiliate. With a relatively quiet draft in the previous year, the Stars are looking to bolster their prospect pool with dynamic players who can contribute to the team's future success.
The Texas Stars' opening night roster for the 2025-26 season includes forwards Justin Ertel, Harrison Scott, Arttu Hyry, Matthew Seminoff, Curtis McKenzie, Kole Lind, Cameron Hughes, Ayrton Martino, Sean Chisholm, Jack Becker, Cross Hanas, Artem Shlaine, and Antonio Stranges. Defensively, the team features Trey Taylor, Tristan Bertucci, Tommy Bergsland, Gavin White, Vladislav Kolyachonok, Michael Karow and Kyle Looft. Remi Poirier and Ben Kraws are the team's goalies.
