We start this week by asking you to vote for who should be starting on our blueline in front of goaltender, Dan Bakala and today’s article introduces you to the first eight of the 16 candidates selected by the club.
However, you can send in your own suggestions for other players we have not listed by using #StarsStartingSix.
Tomorrow, we will release information about our second set of candidates and your chance to make another part of Stars history will begin on Thursday when the first round of voting opens.
Depending on how many candidates make it into the vote, a certain number of defenders will move on into the final vote but before then, we will be giving you some more information to help you make your pick.
So, lets meet the first eight candidates that were standout shot-blockers and point-getters whilst wearing the Stars jersey.
Candidate 1: Jeff Marshall 
Seasons Played: 2004/2005, 2006/2007, 2007/2008, 2008/2009, 2009/2010 & 2010/2011
Age When Playing for the Stars: 26-34
Birthplace: Newmarket, Ontario
Nationality: Canadian
Height: 5 Feet 11 Inches
Weight: 183 Pounds
Shoots: Left Hand
Stats:
League – GP: 124 G: 59 A: 95 P: 154 PIMS: 146
Cup – GP: 12 G: 3 A: 2 P: 5 PIMS: 10
Playoffs – GP: 17 G: 5 A: 3 P: 8 PIMS: 8
Summary: The Stars legend was a steady presence on the back end from the British National League Playoff Championship winning season of 2004/2005 to the club’s Elite League debut in 2010/2011.
Marshall often played a strong physical game but that did not stop him from being a dangerous offensive creator for the team and he would regularly find the net or that crucial pass to get his teammate in behind.
Candidate 2: Drydn Dow 
Seasons Played: 2018/2019 & 2019/2020
Age When Playing for the Stars: 25-27
Birthplace: Calgary, Alberta
Nationality: Canadian
Height: 5 Feet 9 Inches
Weight: 179 Pounds
Shoots: Left Hand
Stats:
League – GP: 106 G: 23 A: 56 P: 79 PIMS: 74
Cup – GP: 16 G: 3 A: 4 P: 7 PIMS: 10
Summary:
The Canadian progressed rapidly during his two years on Tayside after coming out of the Canadian college leagues and he was quick to show off his defensive abilities, before he then began to discover what offensive talent he had as well.
Dow provided a reliable last line of defence and played with a lot of consistency, whilst also being a key leader for the team as well.
Candidate 3: Chris Zarb 
Seasons Played: 2010/2011 & 2011/2012
Age When Playing for the Stars: 25-27
Born: San Diego, California
Nationality: American
Height: 6 Feet 4 Inches
Weight: 196 Pounds
Shoots: Right Hand
Stats:
League – GP: 90 G: 9 A: 50 P: 59 PIMS: 320
Cup – GP: 12 G: 1 A: 3 P: 4 PIMS: 44
Playoffs – GP: 4 G: 0 A: 0 P: 0 PIMS: 34
Summary:
Zarb was the big American bully that protected the team in their early Elite League years and combined with his offensive contributions, he helped to secure the team as a competitor in the EIHL.
Chris always played a defence-first type of game but knew exactly when to step into the play to help put the puck in the back of the net.
Candidate 4: Scott Young 
Seasons Played: 2001/2002, 2002/2003 & 2003/2004
Age When Playing for the Stars: 36-39
Birthplace: Oakville, Ontario
Nationality: Canadian
Height: 6 Feet 1 Inch
Weight: 198 Pounds
Shoots: Left Hand
Stats:
League – GP: 57 G: 42 A: 63 P: 105 PIMS: 247
Playoffs – GP: 16 G: 11 A: 15 P: 26 PIMS: 40
Summary:
Not many players nowadays come as tough as Young did, he was the rock at the back that would take one for the team whenever he could.
If the Canadian was not making an opponent bleed or diving in front a puck, then he would be flying down the ice to join the unstoppable Stars attack that won both the BNL League and Playoff trophies in the club’s first ever season (2001/2002).
Candidate 5: Mike Sullivan 
Seasons Played: 2018/2019
Age When Playing for the Stars: 26-27
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario
Nationality: Canadian/Italian
Height: 6 Feet 1 Inch
Weight: 198 Pounds
Shoots: Left Hand
Stats:
League – GP: 57 G: 6 A: 15 P: 21 PIMS: 23
Cup – GP: 8 G: 0 A: 0 P: 0 PIMS: 4
Summary:
Sullivan brought a lot of experience and ability to the Stars line-up during his year in Tayside and with his high calibre defensive skills, he helped to close out some key games.
The Canadian-born Italian was another player that put his body on the line for the club and would get whatever he could behind the puck to stop it reaching its target.
Candidate 6: Sam McCluskey 
Seasons Played: 2005/06 – 2010/11 & 2012/2013 – 2015/2016
Age When Playing for the Stars: 14-25
Birthplace: Dundee
Nationality: Scottish
Height: 5 Feet 11 Inches
Weight: 183 Pounds
Shoots: Right Hand
Stats:
League – GP: 328 G: 25 A: 90 P: 115 PIMS: 411
Cup – GP: 46 G: 0 A: 11 P: 11 PIMS: 48
Playoffs – GP: 9 G: 1 A: 1 P: 2 PIMS: 15
Summary:
The Scot was a stalwart at the heart of the Stars defence for 10 years and his progression from a youth player in the Scottish National League to a top six defenseman in the Elite League is nothing short of remarkable.
McCluskey was a hard-working defender that was not afraid of the dirty work and would always try to make the right play.
Candidate 7: Felix-Antoine Poulin
Seasons Played: 2016/2017
Age When Playing for the Stars: 25-26
Birthplace: Ste-Julie, Quebec
Nationality: Canadian
Height: 6 Feet 2 Inches
Weight: 194 Pounds
Shoots: Left Hand
Stats:
League – GP: 51 G: 17 A: 33 P: 50 PIMS: 34
Cup – GP: 10 G: 4 A: 4 P: 8 PIMS: 6
Playoffs – GP: 3 G: 0 A: 1 P: 1 PIMS: 0
Summary:
The big Canadian brought more than just a cannon of a shot with him to Dundee, as he was one of the smoothest skating blueliners to ever play at the DIA.
Poulin knew how to win a puck back and was always the favourite in a one-on-one but once he had foiled an attack, he would never waste any time in generating a fast break, before joining the rush himself.
Candidate 8: Matt Suderman
Seasons Played: 2010/2011
Age When Playing for the Stars: 27-28
Birthplace: Winkler, Manitoba
Nationality: Canadian
Height: 6 Feet 3 Inches
Weight: 236 Pounds
Shoots: Left Hand
Stats:
League – GP: 51 G: 1 A: 4 P: 5 PIMS: 159
Cup – GP: 8 G: 0 A: 1 P: 1 PIMS: 40
Playoffs – GP: 2 G: 0 A: 1 P: 1 PIMS: 2
Summary:
Suderman was a tough and reliable body at the back, who stood up for his teammates and gave his all in every play.
The big Canadian had plenty of Elite League experience and knew how to win games and what it took to protect a lead in those tough moments.
**Key
GP – Games Played
G – Goals
A – Assists
P – Points
PIMS – Penalty Minutes
Don’t forget to check out our new Kitmart Dundee Stars online store HERE
