DETROIT (AP) -The Dallas Stars beat Detroit in a competition before the first puck dropped Thursday night in the Western Conference finals.

Swedish prospect Fabian Brunnstrom has agreed to sign with Dallas over the Red Wings and other NHL suitors.

The 23-year-old forward starred in the Swedish Elite League last season and was regarded as one of the top free agents available.

Detroit general manager Ken Holland - who has stockpiled stars from Sweden such as Nicklas Lidstrom, Tomas Holmstrom and Johan Franzen - said Thursday that Brunnstrom informed the Red Wings he would not be signing with them.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.