Andrew

If you’re looking for my latest hockey articles, you can find them here: 📄 The Hockey Writers: thehockeywriters.com/author/aepps/ 📰 Substack: @andrewepps?r=4576xa&utm_medium=ios" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">substack.com/@andrewepps?r=… Covering Finnish hockey prospects, development paths, and more.

@RobertTiffin It’s because they spelled Wallstedt’s name on the back of his jersey correctly. He’s unstoppable now.

Pretty even first period, but a PPG is the difference. Both goalies have been solid so far.

@DavidCastilloAC Yea you could see Otter making adjustments with his glove positioning, and when he skates and challenges the puck holder, dudes locked in.

I didn't think Dallas played all that bad. Not great just not bad (outside of Myers' penalty). It's the same formula they've used all season: keep games tight, and find the edge on special teams (which they didn't have, I know). But Oettinger has looked great at least.

@RobertTiffin Wonder what they talked about on that 14+ hour drive or was it just complete silence 🤔

This almost makes it looks like Bill Guerin personally drove back to Minnesota to bring Quinn Hughes down to Dallas himself.

My main coverage is prospects and Finnish hockey but I’ve been a Texas Hockey fan for as long as I can remember. Playoffs are a different game and as a fan the best place to be. LETS GO STARS

North American hockey fans, while you're watching the NHL playoffs, the most historically loaded rivalry in Finnish hockey is fighting for a finals spot right now. Ilves vs Tappara. Ninety years of shared ice. One city split down the middle. Ilves leads Tappara one game to none in the 2026 Liiga semifinals and I wrote the full story. Story Below: lonestartoleijonat.substack.com/p/ninety-years… @ilveshockey @Tapparaofficial @smliiga

@Lassimak Your coverage finds my way to my feed so often I assumed I already was following you, when I realized I wasn’t I had to fix that! Best coverage for a Stars fans and an SMU Alumni!

Shameless plug ahead of the playoffs. Here’s where you can find my work outside of this app. I’ll be posting more videos on TikTok and Instagram throughout the playoffs. Year 4 covering the Stanley Cup Playoffs! Thanks to all who continue to follow along 🙏

I said this in that piece, but to put it out here as well: Don't be stupid on social media. Don't let your character get drawn offside by a game. Be decent to other players, writers, reporters, employees, and fans. I am sure most of you all will be.

A top 2026 draft prospect was left off Finland’s U18 World Championship roster. The Finnish players’ association says it is bullying. The federation cites an “unclear situation.” The Oscar Hemming U18 situation feels more like bullying and him being made an example of, rather than a country developing a young player. I listed all the situation and my newest article below: open.substack.com/pub/lonestarto… @HemmingEmil @BrockOtten @BostonCollege

Arttu Hyry: “As coaches say, a good forecheck leads to goals. Didn’t even need to shoot the puck, but I’m glad I got that one.”

Finland announces their camp roster ahead of the #U18Worlds. Most notable info: Oscar Hemming is not included. Given Tappara’s ongoing Liiga season, Oliver Suvanto is marked down as a possible inclusion later on. Juho Piiparinen will join immediately.

@gjspittle Balancing the challenges of facing the central division in playoffs, managing injuries and playing aggressive it is a lot to balance for a team, but is required if we want to be a cup contender.

Wasn't pretty but that 2nd seed in the first round of the playoffs sure is. How do they keep doing this with the injuries? Let's discuss and pop a frosty on a matinee edition of Spits and Suds. Stick tap for your participation! #texashockey

What it will take for the Stars to lock down home ice today:

@RobertTiffin Whole band is getting back together

Gulutzan says the final two games of the season are the soonest Hintz or Steel might play. Hopeful that both are ready for Game 1 of playoffs but he stresses not 100% yet. The hope is that Bunting can play Saturday vs. NYR, and Faksa at Toronto.

Watch or listen to Episode 2 of Algorithmically Incorrect Hockey, with guests Jack Han and Rick Bowness. @seanshapiro and I learned about handshakes, theology, and more. Youtube: youtube.com/watch?v=IJhynH… Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/7sLz8e… (Also on Apple, Amazon, & Pocketcasts)

We won the @HockeyAnalytics Big Data Cup 2026! Forechecking is usually described as a system label. We tried to show it as a spatial timing problem: who arrives first, which lane is open, and how fast F2/F3 take that lane away.

A quick look at the Contender checklist, whether the Dallas Stars meet it, the degree to which they do, and some other key stats that will play a role in the playoffs. dcastillo.substack.com/p/five-key-sta…

Finnish Dallas Stars legend and current Team Finland GM, Jere Lehtinen, now has the DLLS Finnish Mafia hoodie to show off when he gets back home!

Finland just blew up its entire hockey league structure. Imagine if the NHL said “we’re splitting into two tiers next year, and the bottom four teams get relegated.” That’s basically what Liiga just did. A 14-team top tier. A 10-team second tier. Automatic promotion and relegation. And a town of 24,000 people on the Russian border is trying to jump from the second division straight to the top. New piece breaking down the latest for the whole thing. open.substack.com/pub/lonestarto… @jokerithc @ImatranKettera @smliiga

Two season in a row! Off to Liiga next season.