CANTON — Graduate student goaltender Ben Kraws, who backstopped the St. Lawrence University men's hockey team to the ECAC Championship game, has signed a one-year entry-level contract with the Dallas Stars that will begin during the 2024-25 season.

"I am very grateful for St. Lawrence University, my teammates, Coach Brekke, and the entire coaching staff, who helped me to develop and pursue my goal of a pro career," said Kraws when asked about his time in Canton "I am excited to be joining the Dallas Stars organization and getting my pro career underway."

Ben will head to Cedar Park, Texas to play for the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL) for the rest of their season on an amateur tryout. Kraws will join former Skating Saint defenseman Gavin Bayreuther '17 in Austin, as well as fellow former ECAC standouts Ben Berard, and Luke Krys.

Along with Bayreuther, Kraws will join the likes of Rich Peverley '04, and Mike McKenna '05 as alumni, who have donned the Dallas Star in their playing careers.

"We couldn't be more proud of Ben and extremely happy for him!" said Charles W. Appleton II men's hockey coach Brent Brekke "He's had a terrific year and earned this NHL opportunity. He's a great example of pushing through adversity and how to achieve what you want. His work ethic, commitment, attitude, and belief in himself are big reasons why he's had a breakout year that led to his contract. He's got a bright future in pro hockey and we can't wait to watch him at that level for years to come!"

Kraws, who was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, and the Mike Richter Award, made an indelible mark in his lone season with the Saints playing in 37 games posting a 2.49 goals against average and a .919 save percentage with two shutouts including a 22-save clean sheet against No. 6 Quinnipiac in the ECAC Semifinals.   

Kraws leapfrogged into the national lead this past weekend for minutes played this season with 2239:41 and reached second place in the nation with 1061 saves on the year, 51 saves behind Notre Dame's Ryan Bischel.

The netminder was especially strong down the stretch for the Skating Saints stopping 46, 37, 47, and 41 in the four games leading into Lake Placid before stopping 22 in a shutout against the Bobcats in the Semifinals, and 26 in a 3-1 loss in the ECAC Championship to No. 14 Cornell.