Head Coach and General Manager Kevin Hasselberg announced Thursday the Battlefords North Stars have traded a pair of 19-year-olds.
Defenceman Spencer Gosselin and forward Alex Bechtold were dealt to the Drumheller Dragons in exchange for former Battlefords Midget Stars Robin and Regan Yew and future considerations.
Gosselin is in his second season with the North Stars. The 6 foot two inch defenceman contributed 20 points in 57 games to go along with 59 penalty minutes. He was a respected member of the North Stars, best known for his leadership, positive attitude and competitiveness. Bechtold, from Strathmore, Alta. will now have an opportunity to play closer to home. In his short time with the North Stars, Bechtold contributed four points in 10 games played. The trade comes a month after Bechtold was acquired in exchange for Joren Johnson and Robbie Newton.
"This was a very difficult trade to make" said Hasselberg, "We are excited about the addition of the Yew brothers and the energy they will infuse into our dressing room. However, the departure of Gosselin from our team and the community will take time to recover from. He is a solid defenseman and a tremendous young man."
From Ile-a-la Crosse, the addition of the Yews brings two players that are familiar with the Battlefords. They already spent three seasons with the Midget AAA Stars. In 16 games with the Dragons, Robin Yew earned three assists and 19 penalty minutes. He is best described as a determined leader who plays hard in the defensive zone. At 6 feet three inches, Regan Yew has contributed two goals and three assists in 16 games with the Drumheller Dragons. Regan is a power forward that likes to control the puck. Both Yews were impact players with the Midget Stars during the 2012-13 season. Robin was a defensive leader and captain of the team adding 16 points in 37 games played. Regan shared the team lead in goals, scoring 19 times and adding 18 assists, good enough for second on the team in points.
