Texas Stars open camp in Cedar Park

CEDAR PARK, TEX (KXAN) - The Texas Stars hockey team hit the brand new ice in the brand new Cedar Park Center on Tuesday.  The Stars opened training camp for their inaugural season in Central Texas. The Stars are the American Hockey League affiliate of the Dallas Stars and will provide the highest level hockey the area has ever seen.  And they'll be playing in the 6800 seat Cedar Park Center that doesn't officially open until friday, September 25th.

"It's well put together, its classy, its everything," said Stars forward Landon Wilson. "I think every seat is a great seat, its really close to the ice so its really close to the action."

Like the Express are to the Astros, these Stars are to the Dallas Stars.  A lot of these players will make up the future of their NHL parent club.

"A lot of these hockey players, you're going to see play in the NHL, said head coach Glen Gulutzan.  "We're going to have three or four guys who are going to be up and down in the NHL this year, no question about that."

The Stars play their first pre-season game Thursday night in San Antonio against the Rampage.  Those same two teams will play the first game ever at the Cedar Park Center on Sunday afternoon at 3:00.  The highlight of the preseason will be Wednesday the 30th when the Dallas Stars play in Cedar Park.