North Bay Battalion forward Justin Ertel has been signed to a three-year entry level contract by the Dallas Stars.
2021 3rd round pick Justin Ertel has signed his three-year entry-level contract with the team who drafted him — the Dallas Stars.
Ertel was approaching the two-year mark since he had been drafted, meaning that he was at risk of being unaffiliated with Dallas and becoming a free agent — but the Stars have decided to sign the Kitchener, Ontario-native.
Ertel has been with the North Bay Battalion in the OHL for the last two seasons, as they continue to be one of the top teams in the league. Ertel has become on of their top forwards, with 66 points through 61 games this season.
In North Bay, Ertel has recently been playing top-six minutes alongside Liam Arnsby and Sandis Vilmanis. They have become a dangerously structured team in this league, and Ertel fits right in with that culture.
Ertel plays a high-pace game and he's able to make creative plays at top speed. He possesses all of the offensive tools that you would want in a player, and he has the foundations to be a middle-six winger at the pro level.
Ertel struggled a little last season with the Battalion, as he had 36 points in 46 games. This season, his production has really taken off.
He has the potential to help lead North Bay to an OHL championship this season, as their team doesn't have many weaknesses on paper. Ertel will continue to play top minutes for this team, and with the new confidence of his entry level contract, he will be a threat to watch for in the playoffs.