DALLAS -- Texas isn't known as a hotbed for NHL talent.
That makes it all the more impressive that the Devils boast two players native to the Lone Star State.
Forwards Blake Coleman and Stefan Noesen will have a mini homecoming on Thursday when the Devils visit the Dallas Stars at 8:30 p.m. at American Airline Arena. Noesen played on game in his home state while he was a member of the Anaheim Ducks, but Coleman will be playing his first game in Dallas.
"It's almost weird driving around on the team bus, being familiar with where I'm driving and where I'm at," Coleman said. "Pretty excited for tomorrow night."
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Homecomings for any NHL player are special, but a Texas homecoming is very uncommon. Only seven Texas natives have scored goals in the 100-year history of the NHL. Coleman and Noesen are two of them.
While Noesen has been through the experience of playing in Dallas earlier in his career, he's excited to do it again and watch Coleman do it for the first time.
"Coming home to a non-hockey market and playing in front of family and friends that would never really get a chance to see you," Noesen said. "Especially it being on TV here, too, you'll have some that don't go to the game but are still watching, and it's pretty cool.
"Right now this is even a cooler experience for me because you have someone who's also from here and playing in Blake Coleman. I think that's more of the special part. I had my first time. Watching him go through his first time is pretty cool."
Coleman expects a big group of friends and family attending the game, and if his short NHL history is any indication, he'll put on a show. Coleman played the Stars twice at the Prudential Center in Newark, and he scored in both games.
Growing up in Plano, Coleman relied on the Stars to fuel his passion for the game, and they started him on his hockey path.
"My grandma had season tickets, she took me before I could walk, really," Coleman said. "I followed them all the way to the Cup there (in 1999). Once they switched rinks we still got tickets, and eventually I got to an age where I was too busy for it. But it's the reason I play the game, and I'm excited to step foot in that building tomorrow."
Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyan_NJ. Find NJ.com Devils on Facebook.