Justin Ertel

January 2025 – Ertel is in the first year of his entry-level contract. He was one of the last cuts in training camp with the Dallas Stars and due to a log jam of forwards has since spent most of this season with the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL. Though he has recently been called up to the AHL and has been making an impression from the jump. He has been a solid bottom six player with some offensive upside that will help him carve out a spot at a higher level. If he can add some finishing to his game along with his play-making abilities, he will find himself a permanent spot in the AHL soon. Taylor Newby

January 2024 – In September of 2023, Ertel went the to prospect tournament in Traverse City with the Dallas Stars. Shortly after the tournament started, the Stars had multiple injuries on the blue line. Ertel was one of the players chosen to take shifts on defense, allowing him to showcase his two-way game. Since then, he has been playing in the OHL for the North Bay Battalion. Though he is an overager, Ertel has been stellar for his team, as he is currently a point-per-game player. He has fine tuned his play-making skills but even more so, he has been able to finish his own chances. Ertel is becoming a well-rounded player that can be lethal at both ends of the ice.  Taylor Newby

September 2022 – Ertel was cut from training camp today, and will be heading to the North Bay Battalion of the OHL for the 2022-23 campaign. Ertel was under-utilized the in NCAA with Cornell University, and will hopefully receive more opportunities and ice time in the OHL. Poised for a strong season, Ertel could see himself on both special team units, as well as in a top-six position. Aaron Itovitch

June 2022 – After several years of dominance in high school at St. Andrews College, and a successful period in the MJAHL with the Summerside Western Capitals, Ertel shot himself up all the way to the third round of the 2021 draft. In his first NCAA season with Cornell, Ertel put up nine points in 23 games, far below expectations set for him after being a third-round NHL draft pick. If Ertel finds his game at the college level, expect him to finish his degree, realistically jumping to the pros for the 2024-25 season. Aaron Itovitch