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DALLAS — After a busy and mostly successful season, Aram Minnetian is ready to begin the next phase of his development after the 19-year-old defenseman was selected by the Dallas Stars in the fourth round (No. 125) of the 2023 NHL Draft.

After successfully completing his freshman year at Boston College, he contributed to their advancement to the NCAA Division I championship. Additionally, he proudly secured a gold medal for the United States in the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship.

“During Stars development camp earlier this month, Minnetian expressed his astonishment at the season, stating, ‘We had an incredible team and a fantastic culture. I believe that’s what propelled [Boston College] to reach such heights. We fell just one game short, but overall, it was a tremendously successful and fulfilling season.'”

Being a part of the World Junior team was beyond incredible. It was an amazing opportunity to travel to Gothenburg, Sweden and join forces with these incredibly talented individuals, many of whom are my close friends. Competing for a World Junior gold medal and representing my country was truly surreal. The experience was indescribable, as I not only gained invaluable knowledge but also had an absolute blast.

Minnetian, hailing from Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, has decided to pursue his sophomore season at Boston College come fall. His primary objective is to further develop his skills and enhance his performance, following a successful freshman year. During his debut season, he achieved a commendable record of nine points (including three goals and six assists), accompanied by an impressive plus-11 rating across 40 games.

Minnetian expressed that a significant part of his journey has been about evolving and discovering his true self, which he fully realized last year. He emphasized the importance of developing a strong defensive presence while also showcasing his offensive skills. Minnetian believes that the Stars organization expects him to maintain his reliability as a defensive player, play a disciplined game from the defensive position, and make progress in his offensive abilities to become a well-rounded player on both ends of the ice.

The strides Minnetian made at Boston College last season have impressed Neil Graham, the coach of Texas in the American Hockey League. He has observed Minnetian’s progress for the past two summers during the Dallas development camp.

“The main topic of discussion revolves around his excellent positioning in relation to the play,” Graham commented. “His footwork is highly effective, and his ability to anticipate movements on the ice is evident. Although we primarily focus on specialized training drills, he stands out in small area games where others may struggle with positioning or reacting to plays. Not only is he always prepared to make a play, but he also excels defensively.”

“We are eagerly anticipating his growth in his college career initially. From my perspective, I observe a significant potential on the professional front. It’s thrilling.”