The Dallas Stars just gave one of their young goalies a massive promotion

Rémi Poirier's hard work is finally paying off. The Dallas Stars rewarded their young goalie this summer by re-signing him and giving him a new title: he's now the team's official third-string goaltender.

That may not sound like the flashiest role in hockey, but for Poirier, it's a huge step forward in his career. Last season he was battling for ice time in the AHL with the Texas Stars. This year, he has climbed the depth chart and officially stepped into the NHL conversation.

With Jake Oettinger set as the number one and Casey DeSmith slotted in as the backup, Dallas needed someone dependable in case of injury or illness. That's where Poirier comes in.

When veteran Magnus Hellberg left to play overseas, the door opened, and Poirier earned the call.

The 22-year-old from Gatineau didn't get there by luck. He built his case with steady numbers last season in Cedar Park, where he posted a 17-11-2 record and added a 5-3 mark in the Calder Cup playoffs.

Those results convinced management he was ready for the next challenge.

Even though he's proud of the promotion, Poirier isn't satisfied. He has been clear that his real goal is to push further, eventually earning a full-time NHL backup spot.

This fall, Poirier will continue to carry the load for the Texas Stars, but fans should expect to see him in plenty of preseason action. Dallas will likely rest Oettinger and DeSmith as much as possible before opening night, giving their younger goalies a chance to get experience.

If Poirier stays sharp, he could be next in line when the Stars need help in the crease. And with DeSmith's contract winding down in the near future, the opportunity to become a full-time NHL backup might not be far away.

Personally, I think this is a perfect chance for Poirier to prove that his development path is on track, and I believe he'll make the most of it.