THE BATTLEFORDS — There’s no downtime with the Battlefords North Stars, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team.
The leadership team at the North Stars office is building its team for the upcoming season, which will start with the home opener on Sept. 19 versus the Kindersley Klippers.
The North Stars, through their website and social media, have informed fans of recent team news, such as the invitation of former North Stars goaltender Josh Kotai to attend the Pittsburgh Penguins' development camp.
As well, June 17, the North Stars were excited to announce the signing of 2007-born Forward Sam Kirwan, and 2007-born Defenceman Will Kirwan.
The Kirwan brothers spent the 2024-25 season with the Swift Current Legionnaires in the SMAAAL. Sam totalled 16 goals, 22 assists and 38 points in 44 games. While Will finished with 5 goals, 35 assists and 40 points in 44 games.
“Sam is a great skater. He’s first to pucks, and is hard to defend. He is a versatile two-way player that’s going to make some key contributions to our front end. Will is the new era style defenceman. He sees the ice well, can move the puck and can create a ton of offence from the back end. Another guy that has a lot of tools to draw on, and we see him being really effective in his first year of junior,” states head coach Connor Logan on the website.
Additionally, on July 18, the North Stars announced the signing of 2006-born forward Drew Williamson. Drew played for the Three Hills Thrashers in the HIJHL last season and accumulated 19 goals, 22 assists and 41 points. Drew also spent time in Drumheller in the AJHL.
The SJHL draft took place in June and following the SJHL auto protect rule changes, the team announced they have selected defenceman Calder Reiter and forward Crosby Cole as their two auto protections for the 2010 age group.
Reiter played for the Battleford North West Stars SAAHL U15, where he accumulated 10 goals, 17 assists and 27 points in 29 games. Cole also played for the Battleford North West Stars SAAHL U15, where he accumulated 18 goals, 20 assists and 38 points in 29 games.
While the office is closed until Aug. 1, there is still behind-the-scenes work being done. Fans can stay tuned to the team’s website and social media pages for all the latest news and updates leading up to the start of another North Stars season starting in the fall.
In other news, the Battlefords North Stars Hockey Club can continue to call the Access Communications Centre home through 2028, thanks to North Battleford city council approval of a new three-year lease.
The North Stars' season brings an economic boost to the Battlefords as travelling teams and fans all support the hospitality industry, bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue.
