Les Jackson knows a thing or two about traveling to foreign lands, so the Stars assistant general manager makes a good point about what prospect Denis Gurianov is going through this year.

"Just imagine yourself in a different country trying to speak their language and learn their customs, and you realize what a challenge it is," Jackson said. "I've done it for a couple of weeks at a time, but imagine trying to get an apartment and a car and a license, it really opens your eyes to just what these guys are dealing with."

Gurianov is a young Russian player, which seems to increase the depth of the challenge. The 19-year-old was taken 12th in the 2015 entry draft and has spent the last four seasons playing in his hometown of Togliatti. He is spending much of the summer in Texas getting ready for his move to the AHL and the Texas Stars in the fall.

While the Stars will be politically correct and say that Gurianov has a chance to make the NHL out of training camp, the reality is he needs time in the minors to adapt to a new style of play, an expanded role and a new way of life.

"It's a transition year, and I know he has a lot to learn, but I really like his attitude," Jackson said. "He really seems to embrace the move and wants to do everything to make it work."

Gurianov is grasping English more and more but still wanted to use translator Stan Tugolukov when he spoke with the media at Stars development camp. Tugolukov is from Russia and has been helping Valeri Nichushkin in recent seasons. The Stars also have placed Gurianov with an American host family for his first trip to Texas.

"It's new; I like it a lot. It's a big city, a really nice city. Great people, great teammates," Gurianov said through Tugolukov. "Everyone is so helpful and for me trying to learn English, and they are just trying to help the best they can."

Gurianov also is trying to improve his play on the ice. He tallied just five points (four goals, one assist) in 47 games playing for his home team Lada in the KHL last season. He rarely received big minutes or power-play time, but that should change in the AHL this season.

"His role will be completely different, so he'll get more opportunities this season, and we'll see more of his game," Jackson said. "He's a good skater, he has a lot of skill, he's smart. He has a chance to be a really good offensive player, so we're excited to see that part of his game this year."

Gurianov said he understands that the move will be difficult, but he also sees the potential for tremendous upside.

"I hope it is going to be more minutes," Gurianov said when asked if he's looking forward to playing more. "I need that game experience, I need that ice time, so I am excited about it."

Gurianov comes from a family of smart people, so he understands the process of attacking challenges. His mother is a surgeon, his father runs a successful business and his older sibling works as a designer in Russia. Gurianov already holds what would be the equivalent of an associate's degree and said he wants to continue taking classes while he is in Texas.

Gurianov said living with his host family has been an education in itself, adding that daily life is helping him the most in the process of assimilating.

"Watching movies, learning vocabulary and trying to remember more words," he said. "I live with an American host family, great family. They are a really good family for me. They took me as a son."

When asked if any of the family speaks Russian to help him out, Gurianov smiled and said, "Nyet," laughing afterward.

Just one more sign that he doesn't mind a challenge or two.

Twitter: @MikeHeika