The Battlefords North Stars have officially announced their captain and three alternates for the upcoming season.
All four players are from the area, with three being North Battleford products.
Defenceman Kendall Fransoo has been named the team’s captain, taking over for another former defenceman in Michael Statchuk.
“Kendall has played over 100 games in our league,” North Stars head coach and general manager Kevin Hasselberg said. “He plays with his heart on his sleeve, he’s going to stick up for teammates and he’s fearless. When it comes to his on-ice performance whether it’s during games or practice, he gives it everything he has.” Fransoo scored two goals and recorded 208 penalty minutes over 62 regular season and playoff games last year.
Another North Battleford native, Connor Sych, was named one of the alternate captains for the club.
“Connor had a great rookie season with us and I think he surprised a lot of people with his development curve,” Hasselberg said. “He simply got better every time he hit the ice. You know what you’re going to get out of him every game. He might not be a vocal leader but he going to lead by example on the ice and he’s not afraid to hold other players accountable.” Sych scored four times and added seven assists in 46 regular season games last year before adding one assist in nine playoff games. He also represented the SJHL at the CJHL top prospects game in Oakville, Ont.
Logan Nachtegaele is the third North Battleford native who will represent the North Stars leadership this year, and Hasselberg says his positive attitude is what makes him invaluable.
“Logan is an inspirational leader,” Hasselberg stated. “He’s been through a lot in his life already, both on the ice and off it. He’s overcome some major challenges and a big reflection of him is his positive outlook on life. He surrounds himself with good people and he’s going to do everything he can to help those around him. He’s an easy player to look up to and role model yourself with.” Nachtegaele scored three goals and two assists in 37 games last year.
The last member of the North Stars leadership core for this season is Glaslyn native Reed Delainey. Hasselberg had a strong comparison when talking about Delainey.
“When you look at the skill level I think Reed is a player that brings a skill to the hockey team that is unmatched,” Hasselberg said. “I would argue that he’s one of the fastest players in our league, if not the fastest player. You look at a past player, Blake Tatchell, who was a player who separated himself from other players in the league and we expect Reed to make that same jump. He’s very confident in what he does, when you challenge him he doesn’t back down. When you’re watching him on the ice it brings people to their feet because you just don’t know what’s going to happen.”
Tatchell, another North Battleford native, spent three seasons with the North Stars from 2009-2012, winning SJHL MVP in his final year when he scored 42 goals and added 44 assists. He has spent the last three seasons playing NCAA Div. 1 hockey with the University of Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves, finishing either first or second in team scoring.
Delainey finished second in scoring on the North Stars last season with 15 goals and 17 assists in just 37 games. Like Tatchell, Delainey will play NCAA Div. 1 hockey at the Rochester Institute of Technology beginning in the fall of 2016.
Though the four players are local products, Hasselberg says that wasn’t the determining factor in why they were named as leaders.
“That certainly wasn’t the weighing factor. These are four individuals who have strong character. They’re goal driven, as all of our players are. These guys are invested. I think it’s going to be a positive reflection on the rest of the room and these are players that guys can look up to and will perform for the right reasons. From a fan appreciation they’re going to give everything they’ve got whenever they hit the ice.”
Fans will have their first opportunity to see the 2015-16 installment of the Battlefords North Stars when the team hits the ice for the first time Aug. 31.
