As a local product and a four-year veteran with the Battlefords North Stars, defenceman Kendall Fransoo knows what to expect from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
The lessons that he’s learned are what the captain is hoping to pass on to the new members of the North Stars as they prepare to start the 2016-17 season at the Civic Centre Friday night against the Kindersley Klippers.
“It’s always nice to have some guidance when you are a younger player coming into the league,” Fransoo said.
“You can kind of set the tone for them and expectations for what they have to achieve. They have something to work towards and they become better themselves.”
Going into his final season at the junior level, Fransoo can’t help but reflect on some of the players who helped him out when he was an SJHL rookie.
“The two guys that were probably the biggest influences on me when I started here were Dillon Forbes and Evan Ripley,” Fransoo said. “They were my defensive partners when I started here back in 2012.
“They showed me how to play hockey here in North Battleford, the style of game that we play here with the North Stars and how to win.”
Fransoo is one of four members of last year’s leadership group that is with the North Stars once again this season.
Reed Delainey, Logan Nachtegaele and Connor Sych were all assistant captains last season.
Having all four players back is a huge boost for the new players on this year’s North Stars roster, such as forward Tysen Smith who spent last season with the Delisle Chiefs.
“One of the biggest things that Kendall and the other guys have told us is to stay confident out there,” Smith said.
“They’ve talked to us about playing smart and making the right plays, but not being stressed out about screwing up because that will happen from time to time. They’ve also stressed about sticking to the game plan, which is very important up here.”
Following last year’s semifinal loss to the Flin Flon Bombers, Fransoo is hoping to go farther this season and have a chance to help his hometown team win the SJHL title for the first time since 2000.
That journey will begin with a home-and-home series this weekend against the Klippers.
“I love playing them,” Fransoo said. “Personally, I don’t think there’s a better rivalry in the league than the one between us.
“No matter what place we are in the standings, it’s always a war.”
Following Friday’s battle at the Civic Centre, the two teams will travel to Kindersley for a Saturday night tilt.
That will mark the start of a three-game road swing for the North Stars. They will visit the Yorkton Terriers Tuesday and the Melville Millionaires Wednesday.
