BEMIDJI, Minn. – Former Bemidji State University fifth-year defenseman and two-time captain Kyle Looft has signed an Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO) to play for the Texas Stars, American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Dallas Stars announced by the club Monday afternoon.
 
Looft, a Mankato, Minn., native was voted the Central Collegiate Hockey Association Defenseman of the Year, Best Defensive Defenseman, All-CCHA First Team selection and a CCHA Scholar-Athlete and All-Academic Team selection. Four times this season he was named the CCHA Defenseman of the Week and twice earned CCAH Defenseman of the Month honors.
 
Looft led all league defenseman in scoring posting 28 points (6g-22a) in 32 games despite missing six games due to injury. His 0.88 points per game average was seventh best among all skaters in the CCHA and 10^th among all defensemen in Division I. He finished second among all league skaters with a plus/minus rating of +17, second only to teammate Adam Flammang, and posted 69 shots, three power-play goals, 14 penalty minutes and blocked 53 shots.
 
At the conclusion of his collegiate career, Looft played in the second most games in BSU's history appearing in 169 career games and the most by any Bemidji State defenseman. He recorded 53 points (15g-38a) over his five-year career with six power-play goals, three game-winning goals and was a career +31 skater. He is the eighth highest scoring defenseman in BSU's DI history and 37^th overall.
 
Looft will report to Cedar Park, Texas home of the Texas Stars and begin skating with the team immediately. The Stars wrap-up the regular season Friday and Saturday against the Manitoba Moose at the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. The Stars already clinched a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs which are set to begin at the conclusion of the regular season.
 
For more information on the Bemidji State men's hockey program, tickets or schedules, visit BSUBeavers.com, follow the Beavers on Twitter or Instagram (@BSUBeaversMHKY), or like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers).
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women's hockey in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
 
--bsu—