North Stars hand out team awards for 2017-18 season
Prior to their win over Kindersley last night in the final home game of the regular season, it was time for the annual tradition of handing out some hardware to six Battlefords North Stars players for their standout work during the 2017-18 season.
Each year, six awards are handed out: the most improved player, the rookie of the year, the most dedicated player, the humanitarian award, the most valuable defenceman, and the most valuable player.
Last weekend, North Stars captain Layne Young won Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League MVP and player of the year, so it was not surprising when the 20-year-old forward was named team MVP for this season, thanks to his 107-point year. It was fitting that on the same night he won team MVP, Young also made history in the SJHL, as his 107th point (recorded in the first period) is the most in a single season since 2000-01, when Tyler Shantz put up 111 for the Lebret Eagles.
Thanks to a career-high 10 goals and 42 points in just 46 games, Levi Kleiboer was named the club’s most valuable defenceman. He missed 10 games at the end of 2017 because he was named to Team Canada West for the World Jr. A Challenge, where he helped bring home a gold medal. The Martensville native is set to join the University of Maine Blackbears next season.