Coby Downs already knows what to expect from playing with the Battlefords North Stars.
Ben Allen is still getting used to the world of Junior A hockey.
Despite their differences, both forwards are making strong impressions already after joining the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League team last week.
“I feel like both players are doing well for us so far,” North Stars general manager and head coach Nate Bedford said. “In his first game for us, Ben made a smart play to chip the puck by a defenceman, and he drove hard to the net to get his first point. If he does that on a regular basis, we’ll be very happy.
“Coby is going to be a really good player for us. The biggest challenge for him will be getting used to a different style of game from the USHL, where it’s a little bit more of a back and forth style of play. It won’t take him long, though, to get used to playing here once again I’m sure.”
Downs, who was third in team scoring for the North Stars last year with 73 points in 57 games, started the season with the United States Hockey League’s Omaha Lancers.
After getting an assist in five games with the team, the 20-year-old from Montclair, Calif., returned to North Battleford last Tuesday and has two goals and an assist in three games.
“I’m really excited to be back with the guys here as I missed them a lot,” Downs said. “(Layne) Young and (Reed) Delainey picked me up at the airport in Saskatoon and everyone here welcomed me back with open arms.
“Coming here after being in the USHL has made things a lot easier, as I’m already in shape and used to playing in games. The pace of the game is a lot different down there. Everything is faster and you're playing against kids who are committed to NCAA programs every night. It’s really helped to make me a better player.”
Allen, meanwhile, joined the North Stars last Tuesday following a trade with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
The 19-year-old from Allen, Texas, who has duel-citizenship, had four points in four games with the Oil Barons after spending last season with the Dallas Stars U18 program.
“It’s a lot faster pace in Canada than it is back home, but the biggest difference for me is that everyone finishes their hits up here,” Allen said. “It’s a lot more physical but I have no problems with that.
“I’m really happy to be here. Everyone’s easy to get along with here and I’m hoping to make this my home for quite awhile.”
Allen has already made an impact in his first three games, as he’s matched Downs’ start with two goals and an assist.
“I like to be a good 200-foot player,” Allen said.
“I like to be a strong defensive player first, but if I get can get points when I can to help out the team, that’s a nice bonus.”
Both Allen and Downs will take to the ice at the North Battleford Civic Centre Friday, when they host the Humboldt Broncos at 7:30 p.m.
Following that game, they will go on the road Saturday night for a date with the La Ronge Ice Wolves, before returning home Tuesday to face the Kindersley Klippers.
The North Stars will be missing a couple of key players from their lineup over the next few games, following events that occurred during last Saturday’s 10-3 road win over the Estevan Bruins.
Defenceman Connor Sych has been suspended for four games after a hit to the head on Jake Fletcher during the third period.
He will be eligible to return to the lineup on Oct. 29 during a home game against the Notre Dame Hounds
Meanwhile, assistant captain Logan Nachtegaele will be out of action for a couple of weeks after he was injured in a knee-on-knee collision with Bruins blueliner Josh Rieger.
Rieger received a two-game suspension as a result of the play.
Reed Delainey’s status for Friday is up in the air at the moment, after the North Stars forward was forced to leave game in the first period following a heavy hit by Fletcher.
