A fresh start is what is expected of Martin Smith and the Battlefords Midget Stars.
The Stars held training camp on the weekend at the Civic Centre with nearly 90 players competing for roster spots. The Stars coaching staff was forced to quickly cut the number of players down to around 40 with a good mix of rookies and veterans at camp. The Stars had two intrasquad games Sunday and have signed a few players with many still competing for the open roster spots. The Stars could also still receive some veterans back who were attending junior hockey camps.
One thing is certain, the Stars will see a new goaltending tandem in net this season in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. Smith and his coaching and scouting staff feel hey are positioned well in that area after what they saw at camp. There was a mixture of big goalies and quick goalies and it was something Smith was excited to talk about. He said he has never really had goaltending options like this before.
With some players from Saskatoon committed to the Stars and a handful of veterans returning up front, the expectations and excitement level is high. The process of turning the Stars' program back into contenders could in motion with success in the near future.
The Stars continued to practice this week and will be on the ice this weekend for exhibition action against the Saskatoon Contacts Sunday at the Civic Centre.
Along with the work being put in on the ice, the team is working on some off-ice organizing, as they are searching for more billets for the players, who started school this week.
Anyone interested in billeting a midget hockey player is encouraged to contact Bruce Yockey at 441-7783.
