As the Battlefords North Stars were holding their year-end banquet last month, graduating forward Keaton Holinaty was given a heads-up from head coach and general manager Nate Bedford that he would be getting a phone call in the coming days.
“He came up and told me that a university team was showing some interest in having me play for them next year,” Holinaty said.
“That next day, I got a call from Curtis Hodgins and everything went from there.”
On Wednesday, it was announced that the 21-year-old from Hardisty, Alta. will be suiting up for the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Ridgebacks in U Sports starting this fall.
“I’m really excited about it,” Holinaty said. “It’s one of the best leagues in the country and I’m ready to move up a level and take on that challenge.
“It’s a different part of the country that I’ll be going to for the first time, and that’s something I’m also looking forward to.”
Hodgins, who is entering his third season as the head coach for the Ridgebacks, said that Holinaty came on his radar a little over a month ago following a chat with Bedford.
“Nate and I go way back as he was playing in the OJHL (Ontario Junior Hockey League) when I was coaching there,” Hodgins said. “He spoke really highly of Keaton and he fits one of our biggest needs as a right-handed centreman, which is something we haven’t had in our lineup since I took the job here.
“After talking to Keaton and pouring over video highlights, his 200-foot game stood out for me. I know that’s a bit of a cliché, but the way that he plays all over the ice is very impressive.”
For Holinaty, who will be studying business at the school based in Oshawa, Ont., the opportunity to join a program that is moving up in the Ontario University Athletics conference is something that intrigued him.
“The team’s been improving every year since they joined the league about a decade ago,” Holinaty said. “It really feels like a program that’s still relatively new compared to the rest of the league.
“They set a franchise record in wins (18) a couple of years ago and they are starting to put together the pieces to have a bit of a legacy there, which I want to be a part of.”
The Ridgebacks had a 16-11-1 record last season and lost in the first round of the East Division playoffs to the Concordia Stingers in three games.
So far this off-season, all five of their recruits have come from the Junior A ranks, with Jordan Ross joining the program from the SJHL’s Yorkton Terriers and a trio of players (Jesse Baird, Josh Maguire and Brennan Roy) coming over from the RBC Cup champion Cobourg Cougars of the OJHL.
“Right now it’s just working out that way that our freshman class so far comes from those leagues,” Hodgins said. “Obviously I have that connection to the OJHL from my time there, but I really feel that the leagues like the SJHL are a real untapped market when it comes to university teams in Ontario.
“I like to have a hard working group of guys that play the game the right way. We have a pretty good mix of veterans and younger players, but we also don’t carry a lot of guys on the roster, so everyone gets a chance to show what they can do.”
Sophomore forward Erik Pedersen, who suited up for the Flin Flon Bombers from 2013 to 2014, was the only SJHL alumni on last year’s Ridgebacks squad.
Holinaty, who was acquired from the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Drumheller Dragons for future considerations last June, had 35 points in 56 regular season games with the North Stars.
He upped his play in the post-season by potting 10 goals in 12 playoff contests as the North Stars won their second Canalta Cup Title.
At the Western Canada Cup in Penticton, B.C., Holinaty led the team in scoring with four points in five games.
“Having the chance to be on the North Stars has helped me immensely,” Holinaty said.
“We had a great run this year in the playoffs, which is my favourite time of the year, and I was given an opportunity by Nate to shine. Luckily, it worked out well for me as I have a chance to continue my career.”
Holinaty is the third player from last season’s North Stars squad to commit to a post-secondary program for the 2017-18 campaign.
Reed Delainey will be playing for the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers in the NCAA Division I ranks, while Coby Downs will suit up for the reigning NCAA Division III national champion Norwich Cadets.
