Quintin Loon-Stewardson (left) and Matthew Fletcher (right) have been integral pieces to the North Stars’ success this season, helping lead the club to a league-best 44-9-2 record. This week the pair were recognized with award nominations for Player of the Year and Defenceman of the Year, respectively. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

League stars

Fletcher, Loon-Stewardson shine bright for Stars with year-end award nominations

Feb 20, 2020 | 10:20 AM

As the Battlefords North Stars near the end of the regular season and ready themselves for another run to the Canalta Cup, a pair of the team’s key cogs have been recognized around the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) for their contributions this season, gaining nominations for a pair of the league’s year-end awards.

Forward Quintin Loon-Stewardson has been named a nominee for SJHL Player of the Year, while blueliner Matthew Fletcher is up for Defenceman of the Year.

Now in his second season with the Stars, Loon-Stewardson has solidified himself amongst the elite players this season, sitting sixth in goals and twelfth in league points heading into his team’s final three games, with 28 goals, 53 points through 51 games this season.

Head coach of the Stars Brayden Klimosko said Loon-Stewardson’s play on the ice, as well as his demeanor off of it, has helped set the tone for the first-place Stars.

“’Q’ [Loon-Stewardson] has been a great contributor all season,” Klimosko said. “He is a high-level talent and plays with an edge. He just loves the game and always comes to the rink with a smile on his face.”

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That edge, in addition to his finesse, is what sets Loon-Stewardson apart as a truly unique star in the league. His 154 penalty minutes (PIMS) are ninth-most amongst active players, as the Sioux Lookout ON., product is one of only two players in the league to rank within the top 20 scorers and top 20 in PIMS (with his brother and linemate Elijah Loon-Stewardson being the other).

On the back end, it has been another year of consistent brilliance for Fletcher, who took over this season as captain of the Stars.

Sitting third in blue line production with 11 goals, 46 points through 55 games this season, perhaps most impressive about Fletcher’s numbers has been the knack he’s shown for raising his game in clutch situations as his four game-winning goals are a league-best from the blue line position.

The nomination for Top Defenceman only seems a natural progression for the veteran, who was one of only two rearguards in the league last season to take home Defenceman of the Week honours twice (doing so in consecutive weeks), before repeating the feat again this year with back-to-back billings to put the Saskatoon product in truly rarified air.

Klimosko said it was no surprise to see Fletcher up for the honour of Top Defenceman this season.

“Fletcher is our captain for a reason,” Klimosko said. “He’s a player we can rely on in all situations [and] he’s our most consistent player. He brings it each and every night.”

Also nominated for Best Defenceman are Melfort Mustangs’ blue liner Alex Rondeau and Estevan Bruins’ rearguard Devan Harrison. Other nominees for SJHL Player of the Year include Yorkton Terriers’ captain Chantz Petruic and Alec Malo of the Flin Flon Bombers.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1