By Craig Beauchemin

North Stars’ Baxter Kanter named playoff MVP

Apr 15, 2016 | 1:07 PM

After taking his game to another level in the post season, North Stars graduating forward Baxter Kanter was named the team’s playoff MVP at Thursday night’s banquet.

The Lincoln, Nebraska native was a physical force all season long, but said the offensive side of his game was something he wanted to improve heading into the playoffs.

“I knew being a 20-year-old, this was my last chance at junior hockey so I just played with that in mind. I couldn’t have done it without all those other guys,” Kanter stated.

Kanter nearly doubled his offensive output this past season with 17 points after posting only nine during the 2014-15 season. He carried over this success into the playoffs, scoring twice and assisting on four other goals in nine games.

He hoped to carry the momentum from the award into his university career, as he’ll be playing for the University of Wisconsin Stevens-Point Pointers beginning next season.

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North Stars head coach Kevin Hasselberg said while there were a number of players who could have taken the honour, Kanter was simply a game changer.

“Whenever your team needs momentum and can provide that edge physically, and then he also showed that he had a scoring touch as well. When you look at trying to replace him as a graduating player, it’s not going to be easy for anyone to fill the shoes of the way he played,” Hasselberg said.

He added when a player like Kanter – who’s not known for his offensive touch – steps up, it shows commitment to being the best player he can be when it matters the most.

It’s the second year in a row an unsung hero has been named the North Stars playoff MVP. Last season Nick Fountain won the award after exploding for 10 points in nine playoff games, after posting 30 points in 54 regular season games.

Email: cjnbsports@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @craig_beauch