North Stars players in their Showcase threads: Pictured top row: Matthias Urbanski, Quintin Loon-Stewardson, Seth Summers, Elijah Loon-Stewardson. Back row: Noah Form, Austin Becker, Matthew Fletcher, Steven Kesslering (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

The journey begins

Day 1 of SJHL/MJHL Showcase kicks off in Regina

Jan 21, 2020 | 12:46 PM

Sixty of the top players from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) and 60 of the best from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) gathered together in Regina Tuesday for day one of the annual joint-league showcase.

This will mark the third year of the annual event, designed as a way to allow scouts at various hockey levels, to see the best NCAA eligible players in each of the two leagues in a single two-day stop.

President of the SJHL, Bill Chow said he is pleased with how the event continues to grow and gain traction over the three years.

“It has progressed,” he said. “Obviously, there is more interest not only from the hockey side of things, but the community as well so I think it is really nice to see that. We are gaining momentum, which is good to see.”

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Each of the two leagues send enough players to fill two all-star rosters, and an additional ‘young guns’ team, made up of players 18-and-under.

Eight North Stars’ players will represent their team – and league – this week, including Stars’ captain, Matthew Fletcher. This will be Fletcher’s second time at the showcase, as the Saskatoon product was also named to the event last season.

Fletcher said he is happy to represent the Stars again this season, adding that it is also something special to go through the experience with so many teammates around.

“It looks good, obviously; our team’s been playing well and with team success individual success comes as well,” Fletcher said. “We like how guys are getting noticed, so for all of us it is a tremendous honour to represent the North Stars in Regina.”

While the showcase offers a chance for current teammates to bond together in a unique environment, it also brings an opportunity for former teammates to catch up with old friends.

Steven Kesslering is the lone Stars’ player to suit up for the SJHL’s Team Schwartz —a group made up of the top 18-and-under talent from around the league.

For Kesslering, it will give the forward a chance to reunite with a couple of former teammates from prior in his career, including Red Wings’ rookie, Braden Birnie and Bruins’ forward, Cody Davis.

Davis and Kesslering were teammates as recently as last year in Moose Jaw, of the Saskatchewan Midget Hockey League (SMHL). Kesslering said Davis in particular, would make for a fun linemate to have at the week’s event.

“We were teammates and played on lines together so I’m looking forward to playing with him [again],” Kesslering said, before adding that regardless of who he plays with, they will all be good players.

Team Kunitz, featuring seven of the Stars’ eight representatives, kicked off the hockey action Tuesday against the MJHL’s Team Belfour at 11 a.m. Team Schwartz will play Tuesday evening at 5 p.m.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1