This weekend was the first spring camp organized and supervised by Battlefords North Stars head coach and general manager Kevin Hasselberg and he was happy with the way the final weekend of hockey at the Civic Centre went.
The North Stars held their spring camp Friday to Sunday with players coming in from across western Canada and the United States. A total of 52 players ranging from midget house league teams, American high school teams, junior B, midget AA and midget AAA took to the ice for practices and three scrimmage sessions.
Along with looking at the prospects of the Battlefords North Stars, Hasselberg and his coaching and scouting staff wanted to make it known to all the players what the North Stars' program is all about.
"The main goal and purpose of this event was to showcase the Battlefords North Stars to prospects from across North America," said Hasselberg. "We feel we achieved that goal. We are pleased with the efforts that went towards putting ourselves on that hockey map."
The Battlefords North Stars graduate nine 20-year-olds from the 2011-12 roster meaning there will be plenty of openings for new faces on the roster. Hasselberg is confident some of the players who were at the camp can contribute to the North Stars next season.
Although the signing period doesn't open until June, Hasselberg said the North Stars are excited about some of the players from camp and have made commitments with them.
"It was an opportunity for us to work with some of the key recruits that we have identified over the 2011-12 season and show them exactly how they will be treated and what their development curve will look like if they join our program next season," said Hasselberg. "We are confident that there is going to be players that bring a special quality to our program."
Along with several new faces, three North Stars from the 2011-12 roster skated during the camp in Ryne Keller, Dillon Forbes and Robbie Newton. Jared Samborski was also around most of the weekend, but not skating as he is still recovering from an injury that occurred in game six against Humboldt.
"We graduate a lot of leadership in the 20-year-olds that are departing our program," said Hasselberg. "We need players who are willing to step up and fill those roles. Dillon, Ryne and Robbie did a great job as well as Jared."
The camp was professional and competitive as there was plenty of enthusiasm. So what does this mean for the North Stars next season?
Obviously, it is too early to tell, but with the endless amount of work and commitment Hasselberg has put into recruiting this season there will be plenty of optimism around the North Stars.
"Even though we are going to be younger next year we feel that we will be as competitive early on and our goal is to be even better than we were last year. It is a reload opportunity for us and it is an opportunity for us to really establish the type of identity and culture we want in this dressing room."
The North Stars believe many of the right pieces are in place and the next aspect will be to fulfill those expectations during the 2012-13 season.
Although the ice is out in the Civic Centre now, Hasselberg's work isn't done. He plans to scout junior B hockey in Saskatoon and the SaskFirst bantam Tournament in Regina this weekend, as well as continue to strengthen those relationships with his veteran players and new prospects.
