Battlefords North Stars forward Layne Young is having a bit of a role reversal at training camp this year.
A year ago, the Frenchman Butte native was gearing up for his first season in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League after two seasons with the Battlefords Midget AAA Stars.
After winning the SJHL’s rookie of the year honours following a 75-point freshman season, the 19-year-old has now become a leader for the North Stars in his sophomore campaign.
“I definitely know what it’s like for those new guys that are coming in here and trying to make the team,” Young said. “It can be nerve wracking off the start, as you try to get used to a new environment, but that’s something that you get used to as the training camp goes along.
“It’s different being more of a leader but that’s all part of being a veteran guy on this team. You have to be ready to move into that role and being around the guys that were here last year will help me with that.”
Young fit right in on a veteran forward core last season as he ended up second in team scoring behind Igor Leonenko.
That experience is something that new North Stars head coach and general manager Nate Bedford is excited to see develop over the course of the 2016-17 campaign.
“For a kid with that talent base and an ability to find the net it’s incredible to think that he’s still got two years of junior left,” Bedford said.
“I think the best part about his game isn’t his skill set, but the way he thinks out there as he’s better than most guys on the ice with that. He thinks two steps ahead and he’s intelligent enough that we don’t have to make too many changes when it comes to having him be more of a leader.”
Although his 75 points were the most by a SJHL rookie since Jaden Schwartz put up 76 points for the Notre Dame Hounds in 2008-09, Young isn’t one to rest on his laurels.
“I worked on my shot a lot this summer along with my speed and my puck management,” Young said. “So far in camp I’ve noticed improvements there.
“That’s not to say those were major weaknesses for me, but I just want to continue to be better in all aspects of the game.”
In addition to his training, Young was also busy during the summer through work and extracurricular activities.
“My dad put me to work on the family farm so that’s where I spent a lot of my time,” Young said.
“I also played for the St. Walburg Reds (in the North Saskatchewan River Baseball League) this summer. We didn’t quite have the season that we wanted, but it was still a lot of fun.”
With six forwards graduating from the junior ranks and 73-point man Coby Downs currently attending the training camp for the United States Hockey League’s Omaha Lancers, Young and RIT Tigers commit Reed Delainey are the only returning forwards at training camp who had more than 20 points last season.
That coupled with finishing in first in the SJHL standings a year ago on their way to a trip to the semis puts an extra target on the backs of Young and the rest of the North Stars lineup.
“We feel like everyone’s going to be gunning for us,” Young said.
“I feel like we have a good team once again this year and we’re going to have to prove to everyone that we can do it once again.”
A total of 39 players are taking part in the North Stars camp this week at the Civic Centre. Two more intra-squad games are planned for Tuesday at 7 p.m. and at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
The North Stars will open up their pre-season schedule on Saturday when they travel to Alberta to face the Bonnyville Pontiacs.
The Alberta Junior Hockey League team will come to North Battleford for a 7 p.m. rematch Sunday.
