By Matt Kelly

North Stars and new coach gearing up for camp

Aug 25, 2016 | 2:00 PM

It’s hockey season again in the Battlefords with faces new and old descending on the Civic Centre for the North Star camp.

The 2016-17 North Stars season begins on Sunday, Aug. 28 with check-ins and fitness testing followed by on-ice sessions and scrimmages until Friday, Sept. 2.

New coach Nate Bedford is entering his first camp with the North Stars after being hired on Aug. 16 and is looking forward to getting out on the ice with the team.

“Anybody that’s a hockey person, this is the exciting time of the year. You’ve got a clean slate, you haven’t lost a game yet and whenever you haven’t lost a game yet, it’s very exciting. We’re gearing up for what I think is going to be a strong year,” Bedford said.

Bedford said he met some players through the North Stars youth hockey camps and some others have already reached out to him.

2023-24 Hardware

AAA Stars celebrate best of season with year-end awards

55m ago

Real Estate

Buying or selling a house? Do your homework first

4h ago

NB council

City approves new land sale on Buhler Bay

5h ago

“I’m certainly looking to meet everybody and understand who everyone is; kind of put a face with a name and definitely looking forward to that,” he said. “It’s difficult when you’re here a week to introduce yourself to amount of people that you need to.”

The organization expects roughly 50 players to show up on Sunday for the start of camp.

“We’re going to have a good look at these guys and give everyone an opportunity. Whether they’re back from last year or new guys, it’s an open camp for the guys that are coming. There are 20 to 25 spots available and we’re going to fill them in with what we think the best team is going to be,” Bedford said.

Camp ends on Friday with the first pre-season game on Saturday, Sept. 3 in Bonnyville, Alta. against the Pontiacs of the AJHL. The two teams will return to the Battlefords the next night for a re-match. The North Stars will play six pre-season games before their regular season begins on Sept. 16.

Matt Kelly is battlefordsNOW’s town municipal affairs and community reporter. He can be reached at mkelly@jpbg.ca or tweet him @mattjkelly2.