The Battlefords AAA Stars season has ended after falling to the first place Regina Pat Canadians in the opening round of the SMAAAHL playoffs.
Coming into the year, expectations varied on what would be a very young, but talented group of individuals after back-to-back finalist seasons. Losing top scorers Layne Young (Battlefords North Stars), Brandon Lesko (Flin Flon Bombers) Kaelan Holt (Estevan Bruins) and Spencer Bast (Kamloops Blazers), while also seeing Braydon Buziak earn his way on to the North Stars roster, gave the coaching staff a lot of juggling to do during the preseason.
“We knew we would have our struggles, it was a big turnover,” Manager Shawn Robinson said, “We were hoping to finish middle of the pack.”
A team littered with 15 quality rookies, including both of their goaltenders, found themselves with a record of 11-18-0-2 going into the Christmas break. One of the finest first-year players was 14-year-old defenceman, Luke Reid, who logged some incredible minutes.
“There were times where he was our strongest guy,” Robinson said, “He’s a real talent and has a lot of people interested … He was 13-years-old when preseason started. He was calm with the puck, not uncomfortable at all, not afraid to give or take a hit.”
After Christmas break, however, the young team shifted their focus from a learning process to being a club that could compete. They came back with five straight wins in January, posting a 10-5-1 record in the second half.
“It was a slower process for us, as far as feeling out [the league] goes. I think goaltending really came into its own. Lance Alm really stepped up.” Robinson said.
Alm, who is a WHL draft pick of the Edmonton Oil Kings, kick-started the second half run for the Stars and was instrumental in their playoff push. His game matured throughout the campaign, finishing the season with a 12-11-1 record in his first year with the club.
“It was textbook. I watched him play a lot last year. When it is a tight pressure game, he’ll make 60 stops if he has to.”
The Stars headed into the playoffs in eighth place with a 20-20-0-4 record. They sat in seventh before Beardy’s Blackhawks leapfrogged them in the last game of the campaign. They split the season series against Regina and had expectations of squeaking out a series win against a high calibre team.
“Their goaltender is incredible (Curtis Meger). They have a few veterans who should be playing WHL.”
In game one, the Stars watched their 2-0 lead slip away before eventually losing in overtime 4-3. They went on to lose the series 3-0.
When you look back at the season, it was a campaign that saw different players step up to direct the young team in the right direction. Owen Lamb, Keelan Saworski and Tanner Brewster were among many that took on this role, leading by example on the ice. Lamb totalled 12 goals and 26 assists in 43 games, Saworski was hot on his heels with 18 goals and 16 assists, while Brewster ended the campaign with 18 goals and 12 assists.
“Owen is a special kid for me, I’ve been around him for five years,” Robinson said, “He is a good character guy, well brought up and he does everything he can.” He continues, “Tanner Brewster will do anything. He will block shots, everyone has seen it. Keelan has also come a long way.”
Next season, Lamb has the inside track to play for the North Stars, while Brewster and Saworski have signed on to play with the Flin Flon Bombers.
Spring camp for the AAA Stars starts the weekend of April 8 at the Don Ross Centre.
