With training camp around the corner, and an official announcement on a new head coach and general manager still to be made, the Battlefords North Stars brought in a new face to their squad during the Civic Holiday weekend.
The defending Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League champions acquired 20-year-old forward Keith Anderson from the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the British Columbia Hockey League Sunday in exchange for a player development fee.
Anderson, who is from Hermiston, Ore., played in 41 BCHL games last season with the Vernon Vipers and the Bulldogs, where he had seven goals, five assists and 88 penalty minutes.
He had started the season with the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League, with whom he had six points in 33 games in the 2015-16 campaign, but was after suiting up three times.
After the BCHL season ended and the Bulldogs missed out on making the post-season, Anderson returned to the WHL as a member of the Everett Silvertips, who had added him to their protected player list after he was released by the Royals.
He was held off the score sheet in seven regular season games and three playoff contests, but accumulated a combined 21 penalty minutes in those 10 games.
When it comes to new faces for the 2017-18 campaign, the North Stars have added forwards Tre Doyon from the Alberta Junior Hockey League's Lloydminster Bobcats, Josh Sielsky from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Neepawa Natives and Jacob Tibbatts from the Manitoba Midget Hockey League's Yellowhead Chiefs, along with defenceman Michael Fradette from the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League's Kirkland Lake Gold Miners.
They have also acquired goaltending prospect Cale Elder from the Kindersley Klippers, though it's unclear yet if the Prince Albert Mintos netminder will make the opening night roster as both Taryn Kotchorek and Joel Grzybowski are eligible to return.
