The Battlefords Midget Stars wrapped up the 2014-15 season with their annual awards banquet May 2.
This was another great season for the Stars organization as the team once again qualified for the Mac’s Tournament and went on a long playoff run that saw them reach the SMAAAHL final for the second year in a row.
There were many family, friends, billets and volunteers in attendance to celebrate with the players in the accomplishments of the team from the past season.
Board chairperson Bruce Yockey opened the Awards Program by thanking the players for their outstanding commitment, dedication and work ethic, both on and off the ice. He went on to commend the coaching staff of Martin Smith, Jody Reiter, Jean Fauchon, trainer Dale Jackson and manager Shawn Robinson for the countless hours they commit and dedicate to the hockey program. He said the staff did an incredible job developing this team into one of the best in the SMAAAHL.
The players were prepared to play at a very high level and have gained valuable knowledge and experience this season that will give them the opportunity to move to the next level in their hockey careers. Yockey also thanked the billets for opening their homes and doing such a wonderful job of looking after the players. The volunteers and sponsors who are vital to the operation and success of the program were recognized and thanked as well.
Coach Martin Smith gave his thoughts on the season and team. The individual awards were presented and Smith commented on the contributions of each award winner.
He had words of praise for all of his players and spoke about them being a very special group of players. He thanked them for their effort and commitment to the program and reminded everyone about a great season and how close they were to becoming league champions.
Smith spoke about the graduating players and wished them all the best in their future saying they would always be part of the Stars hockey family.
He thanked the rest of the staff and manager for their efforts this season and was grateful for the parents, billets, volunteers and sponsors that help the program.
The Midget Stars are extremely proud of the entire team and staff. It was a fantastic season.
The award winners were as follows.
Best plus/minus, Traye Tkatchuk. Tkatchuk posted five goals and 15 assists before adding two goals and seven assists in the playoffs.
Rookie of the year, Kaelen Holt. A phenomenal rookie season for Holt consisted of 22 goals and 27 assists during the regular season before four goals and an assist during the playoffs for the Estevan native.
Most underrated, Chad Grambo and Brandon Lesko. On a team stacked with offensive weapons, it’s not surprising to see Grambo fly under the radar. After winning a Telus Cup title with the Prince Albert Mintos, Grambo came to the Stars and set career highs with six goals and 15 assists.
Meanwhile, Lesko was one of the key cogs in the Stars offense this season, scoring 21 times while assisting on 33 others. He was a 10th round pick of the Calgary Hitmen in 2013, and could challenge for a roster spot if he decides to pursue the WHL.
Most improved, Dawson Bacon, Braydon Buziak and Jared Hillis.
As a first-year player, Hillis scored 12 goals with 11 assists. Bacon doubled his offensive output from the previous season with two goals and 10 assists. After playing bantam AA last season, Buziak stepped into the Star lineup and scored seven goals with 11 assists, before adding four goals and four assists in the post season. He also suited up with the Kindersley Klippers for two games, recording an assist.
Top scorer and MVP, Layne Young. After finishing sixth in league scoring with 63 points, it’s no surprise Young was named team MVP. He more than doubled his totals from the previous season, and tripled his production in the playoffs with 12 points in 14 games.
Top defenceman, Troy Gerein and Traye Tkatchuk. Gerein winning his share of this award truly shows his skills, as he is a natural forward. Moved to the blueline due to injuries, Gerein didn’t look out of place while retaining his offensive abilities, scoring 13 goals and adding 23 assists. He played one game with the Battlefords North Stars this season, scoring in his only game.
Coaches award, Spencer Bast. When the team needed to create offense, Bast was usually one of the first players over the boards. After being returned from the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers, where he dressed for five games, Bast was a staple on the top line with Young throughout the season. He had 36 points in 31 games during the season, before adding six goals and six assists in the playoffs.
Most dedicated, Keifer Hintz and Derek Frater. Hintz, the Stars captain, could regularly be seen laying his body on the line to block shots throughout the season. In his third year with the Stars, the Maidstone native scored nine times and added 15 assists, both career highs. Frater was limited to just half the season due to injury, but he could always be found in the stands cheering his teammates on.
Playoff MVP, Brett Pongracz. Despite an up and down regular season in the Stars net, Pongracz showed that he has what it takes to be successful during the Stars run to the SMAAAHL final.
Pongracz faced an average of 35.5 shots against per game during the post season and came up with numerous big saves when his team needed it most. In game five against the Saskatoon Contacts in the opening round, Pongracz stopped 32 of 35 to help the Stars advance.
In perhaps his best performance of the post season, he stopped 47 of 49 shots in game four against the Tisdale Trojans to force a deciding game five in Tisdale in the second round. In that game five, Pongracz didn’t let an early goal, or a late goal, rattle him as he stopped 28 of 30 to send the Stars to the final.
After a tough opening game of the final against the Regina Pat Canadians, Pongracz did all he could to help his team, stopping 86 of 92 shots in games two, three and four, picking up a win in game two.
The Stars will have a very different looking roster next season, as 15 players are ineligible to return due to being 1997-born.
