North Stars make blockbuster deal on deadline day
The Battlefords North Stars have made it abundantly clear they’re gunning for nothing but a championship this season, after they traded for Ice Wolves lead scorer Jared Blaquiere on Tuesday.
Along with 20-year-old Blaquiere, the North Stars have also acquired veteran defenceman Zach Nedelec. In exchange, La Ronge receives a 2017 first round pick, prospects Austin Shumanski, Mackenzie Donovan, and Shane Hounsell, plus a player development fee.
Blaquiere has 23 points in 31 games this season, and had 50 points 56 games last year. The Edam native may only stand 5’10”, but he also has 71 penalty minutes this year and had 103 last season, showing he’s not afraid to go to the dirty areas and mix it up.
“He’s a competitive kid,” Bedford said. “”He was almost a point-a-game guy last year. I think with a bit of a better supporting cast around him I think he’s going to be a good two-way guy. He’s going to be able to kill penalties, he can be on the power play and above all else he’s a tough kid.