Stars recall forward Joel Kiviranta from taxi squad

FRISCO, Texas --Dallas Stars General Manager Jim Nillannounced Saturday that the team has recalled forward Joel Kiviranta from the Taxi Squad. Additionally, the club has recalled forward Rhett Gardner from the Texas Stars, Dallas' top development affiliate in the American Hockey League (AHL), and assigned him to the Taxi Squad.

Kiviranta, 24, has registered two points (1-1=2) and a +2 rating in four games with Dallas so far in 2020-21. The forward skated in 11 NHL regular-season games last season, posting one goal (1-0=1). Kiviranta also recorded six points (5-1=6) in 14 games during the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He finished second among NHL rookies with five goals and a +7 rating, sharing sixth and ranking third on Dallas, respectively.
The 5-foot-11, 180-pound native of Vantaa, Finland was originally signed by Dallas as an undrafted free agent on May 31, 2019.

Gardner, 24, has skated in two games with the Stars so far in 2020-21. He has also appeared in two AHL games with Texas this season, recording five shots on goal. Gardner posted eight shots on goal, eight hits and an average time on ice per game of 10:08 in eight regular-season NHL games with Dallas in 2019-20. Additionally, the forward shared second on Texas with three game-winning goals and fifth with 15 assists, finishing with 24 points (9-15=24) in 55 AHL games with Texas last season.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound native of Moose Jaw, Sask. was originally selected by Dallas in the fourth round (116th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft.