Captain clutch: Stars' captain Cody Spagrud has scored 10 goals this season, of which three have been game winners, just one off of the team lead. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff) : Martin Martinson

By Martin Martinson

Spagrud shines for Stars

Spagrud named SJHL Top Defenseman

Feb 28, 2019 | 5:01 PM

North Stars’ captain, Cody Spagrud has been named SJHL Top Defenseman for the 2018-19 season.

Now in his fourth and final year of Junior hockey, Spagrud, reflecting on the honour, seemed almost at a loss for words when asked for his initial reaction upon hearing the news he had won.

“I don’t know to be honest,” Spagrud said shaking his head with a smile. “I was certainly excited, and the boys were excited; it was definitely a good time.”

A veteran of over 200 career SJHL games, all spent with the Battlefords, Spagrud has established new career highs in each offensive category this season including goals (10), assists (31) and points (41) in just 53 games. The Gull Lake, Sask., product sits within the top five amongst blue liners in each scoring statistic this season.

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Spagrud’s added offensive punch this year has only brought further recognition to the all-around game of the captain. In addition to his offensive totals, the recently-turned 21-year-old also plays amongst the most minutes in the league in all game situations, while lining up on a nightly basis against top opposition each and every night.

Spagrud entered the season as the lone holdover on the back end from the North Stars’ 2017 SJHL Championship roster, and in fact, the only returning Stars’ blue liner from even a season ago to have played greater than 50 games with the team prior to day one of 2018-19 campaign.

With one of the most inexperienced back ends in the league heading into the season, of the 10 defensemen to suit up for the Stars this season other than Spagrud, the group had combined for 163 games of previous ‘Jr. A’ experience. Spagrud alone had already amassed 158 games prior to this year.

Noah Form, a rookie on the North Stars’ back end with just five games prior experience with the team from last year, said having played alongside the Stars’ captain most of the season, he’s not surprised at the least by his teammate’s recognition.

“I had no doubt that he was a guy that deserved [the Top Defenseman award] right from the start,” Form said. “He is an all-star and he always has been. [Spagrud] has been a role model for me this entire season and even last year. It’s been awesome getting to play with him, and there’s no other guy who deserves that award like he does.”

North Stars’ head coach, Brayden Klimosko called Cody Spagrud “a coach’s dream,” as a player who excels in every game situation. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Stars’ veteran Owen Lamb, who has spent the last three years as Spagrud’s teammate on the North Stars, echoed Form’s sentiment on the veteran.

“Obviously I’m really proud for him,” Lamb said. “He definitely is deserving of this award; he’s always the hardest working guy on the ice and he’s a great guy for all the young guys, and even some of us older guys, to look up to and strive for, to have his work ethic.”

That work ethic has set the tone for the North Stars, who currently sit just one point back of top spot in the Global Ag. Risk Solutions Division, with still three games to go in the regular season.

Reflecting not only on the award, but his time spent with the North Stars as a whole, Spagrud had nothing but gratitude for the organization and community at large that has become like a second home to him over the last four years.

“It’s been unreal,” Spagrud said of his time in the Battlefords. “I can’t think of a better team to go to. I came up for a game when I was 16 and I loved it. Every year has been great meeting new guys and all the guys who come in seem to be great. [It is] definitely a good team and good organization to play for, for sure.”

Other award recipients receiving league-wide recognition to wrap up the regular season, include Mustangs’ forwards, Justin Ball and Carson Albrecht, who appear to be all-but locks to finish 1-2 in league scoring, with Ball (53 goals, 102 points) being named Most Valuable Player and Albrecht (33 goals, 87 points) named Player of the Year.

Kindersley also boasted two award recipients.

Kindersley product, Justen Close, who has posted a league-best 24 wins and a .930 save percentage for his hometown team, picked up Top Goaltender honors for the second-straight season, after sharing the honour last year with Hawks’ netminder, Declan Hobbs.

Klippers’ bench-boss, Clayton Jardine also locked down some hardware, being named Coach of the Year.

Melville Millionaires’ forward, Luke Spadafora earned Rookie of the Year Honours.

Fans can catch Spagrud and his North Stars’ teammates in their return to action Friday, Mar. 1 at the Civic Centre as the team welcomes the Notre Dame Hounds to town.

The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7:15 p.m. with puck drop at 7:30 p.m. on 1050 CJNB.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1