By Garnet Elmer and Ashlyn Elmer – the one who has become exponentially more intelligent than her dad over these past few years...
It is that time. The Battlefords North Stars have embarked on the 2017-18 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season under the tutelage of general manager and coach Brandon Heck and assistant coach and ex-North Star Boyd Wakelin. This is a new year. The community will have a banner hoisted to the rafters of the Civic Centre signifying that our club was the Canalta Cup champions of 2016-17. But, that was last year. The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League title has been celebrated and it is now time to move on to the promise of this new season. And it is promising.
The club recently announced the 24-man roster that will start the regular season. Included are seven defensemen, 15 forwards and two goaltenders. The challenge to these players will be to continue the tradition of North Stars hockey – to dedicate themselves to play at their highest level in each and every game of the regular season and playoffs. To hustle on each shift and out work their opposition until such time as the opponent becomes aware they will not be able to compete at the North Star level for a full 60 minutes. The new additions will learn soon enough that the Battlefords North Stars will never succumb through lack of effort. And that is why this franchise can continue to be successful.
The goaltending is in the capable and superb hands of goaler Taryn Kotchorek. He was stellar last season. He was unable to play in the playoffs last spring in Penticton and that should be motivation enough for him to continue his all-star calibre play. Taryn never takes a game off. Without his goaltending partner, Joel Gryzbowski, he may need to play 45-50 games in the regular season. He will need to keep himself in great shape and take the smart time to rest between starts. At this point in the season, Kolby Matthews has been awarded the backup job after recently joining the club.
Once again, the club will be anchored by a strong defensive core. As this writer has indicated previously, Levi Kleiboer and Cody Spagrud are, arguably, the best pairing in the SJHL. Both can move the puck quickly out of the defensive zone, and both are intelligent enough to pick their spots when taking the puck into the opposition’s end of the ice. Conor Jensen and Connor Manegre are solid skaters who also are able to instill fear into the opposition. During the course of last season, the solid and reliable Kendall Fransoo elevated his game to a higher level by taking far fewer needless penalties, but also retained his aggressive play. Manegre has the capacity to do the same this year. Conor Jensen is due for a breakout year. He has tremendous ability. If he plays with confidence and trusts his skills, he will be a force to be reckoned with. The writer hopes he will be left to play at his more familiar defensive position where he is more suited. The North Stars also have three impressive newcomers. During the pre-season, Sunil Sahota showed he can be steady on the blueline. Matthew Fletcher and Anthony Cuglietta will inject needed youth into the lineup. They will be expected to provide a high calibre of play.
The club has a number of returning forwards. “Oh Captain, my Captain,” Layne Young, returns for his third year. Layne performs game in and game out and his message to his teammates will be to do the same. Hockey is a game. It isn’t life in the truest sense. It is meant to be fun. Layne plays the game like it is fun, even under the most competitive of circumstances. We are so fortunate to be able to see him play for a third year in the Battlefords. Other returnees on the forward line are Troy Gerein, Owen Lamb, MacGregor Sinclair, and Connor McIntosh. Blake Fennig also had a cup of coffee with the club last season. Sinclair is a solid two-way player who has the ability to put the puck in the net. Lamb is a very intelligent player who will also need to contribute more offensively this year. It is anticipated these two quality individuals will be successful. McIntosh has good size and should be an imposing force. He will provide positive play at both ends of the ice. Troy Gerein is, essentially, the heart and soul of the North Stars. He will need to continue his aggressive play, but also show greater ability to keep his presence on the ice where his contributions are valued by the club.
There are a number of newcomers up front, although Ryan Rothenburger has played previously in the SJHL. With his experience, he will be expected to be an immediate contributor. Dakota Huebner has shown that he is able to find open space on the ice and has provided intelligent play. Elijah Loon-Stewardson has hustled and been creative. Keith Anderson, Tre Doyon, Josh Sielsky, Jacob Tibbats, Dayden Dvernichuk, and Matthias Urbanski are other newcomers who have shown they have the ability to play North Stars hockey.
The upcoming season can be a very successful one for the Battlefords North Stars. They must play an intelligent brand of hockey, which means they should play aggressive, but stay out of the penalty box as much as possible. They have an excellent leadership core returning and an impressive group of newcomers. Let the skilled players be creative and play a disciplined game, which will destroy the will of their opposition. Controlled reckless abandon. If they play in such a manner they will be successful, and they will have fun. This has been the recipe for success in the last number of seasons.
The Battlefords North Stars bring a great deal to the community, both in terms of economic benefits and civic pride. The players represent our public while they travel throughout the province and need to act as such. The coaching staff are the immediate role models for them in the physical absence of the players’ parents. Brandon and Boyd are invaluable to the organization. And let’s not forget the most valuable player on the club, Rachelle Matisz, the athletic therapist and equipment manager. She can have a thankless job at times, but she will be the hardest worker within the organization. And finally, our marketing and office manager, Caitlyn Gray, has been an unqualified success since joining the North Stars at the beginning of last season. She holds things together and her work is appreciated.
So, to our new coaches, relax and enjoy the ride. And to the players, never get down and enjoy every step of the journey with your brothers. People who work hard will be successful. And to the fans, fill the rink. It is great entertainment. And wear your North Stars apparel on game day. It is time for our guys to play with controlled reckless abandon. Good luck North Stars – we have your backs.
