Dallas Stars 2023 2nd round pick Tristan Bertucci has officially signed his three year entry-level contract with the club after third full OHL season with the Flint Firebirds.
The Dallas Stars called Tristan Bertucci's name with the 61st overall pick in the second round of the 2023 NHL Draft, and nine months later they have signed the defenceman to an entry-level contract.
The Flint Firebirds blueliner is finishing up his third consecutive season with the Flint Firebirds in the Ontario Hockey League. Flint hasn't exactly done well in the win column, but individually Bertucci has taken a lot of strides maturity-wise, and has put up 43 points in 58 games this season.
Bertucci is a two-way, smooth-strided defender who can create offensively off the pass. He has been the cornerstone of the Firebirds' defence core for the past two seasons, and he will continue to be next season as a "veteran" in the league.
The Dallas Stars continue to bolster their prospect pool on defence with this signing. Also out of the OHL, Dallas signed free agent Connor Punnett just under a week ago. Punnett is very different than Bertucci, and both defenders will play different roles when they reach the pro level.
Punnett is much more of a physical, lockdown defender while Bertucci is more of a two-way player with a great pass.
Bertucci hasn't had too much help on the defensive end in Flint, as they will hope to take some strides in development next season. The Firebirds have clinched a playoff spot, but they will likely remain as the eighth seed.
If Flint finds any success in the postseason, it will be largely due to their NHL prospects — Coulson Pitre, Nathaniel Day, & Tristan Bertucci.