DEVELOPING STORY: The Dallas Stars are being accused of bullying families with ice-time threats
Photo credit: Official Dallas Stars Website | Dallas Stars
Over 100 parents in Frisco are accusing the Dallas Stars of creating a toxic environment in youth hockey, using ice access as leverage to silence criticism
In the heart of Texas hockey country, the Dallas Stars are facing serious backlash from families who say the organization used their power to control the dreams of young players...and keep parents quiet.
An investigation by USA TODAY has uncovered claims that the Stars used access to local ice rinks to pressure parents and protect certain coaches, even when those coaches were being let go based on community feedback.
At the center of the controversy is Keith Andresen, senior general manager of Comerica Center and a league director with ties to the Dallas Stars.
In 2021, when parents voted not to renew contracts for two coaches, Andresen allegedly told the league president that the Stars supported keeping those coaches. More disturbingly, he warned that if those coaches were removed, the league might lose its access to ice, forcing them to pay nearly $100,000 in rental fees.
Parents who were in the room say the message felt like a threat.
Dallas Stars accused of silencing families by threatening access to hockey ice time
One parent told USA TODAY,
«The Dallas Stars have created a culture in our area that if you speak out on the Stars, then there's retaliation.»
Another added,
«People were clearly very in fear to speak out about the Dallas Stars.»
Keith Andresen responded by saying:
«They're great coaches and we could see no reason to remove them... I don't know how she took it, but it certainly wasn't a threat to take away any ice.»
But some parents claim they were even told to delete Facebook posts critical of the team or risk seeing their children's hockey dreams disappear.
One mom recalled being warned her son would have «no future in hockey» if she didn't stop posting in a private group.
With the Dallas Stars owning or controlling much of the ice in the Frisco area, families say they had no choice but to comply.
This story is still developing, but the damage to trust in the Stars' local hockey leadership may take years to repair.
Personally, I think parents deserve transparency and shouldn't be afraid to speak up.
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