Stars’ coach, Brayden Klimosko already has a league championship and regular season pennant under his belt in two seasons since joining the North Stars, as the native of Humboldt, Sask., added Coach of the Year credentials to his resume Wednesday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Making His Mark

Top of the heap: North Stars’ Klimosko named SJHL Coach of the Year

Feb 26, 2020 | 4:48 PM

Since opening night of the 2018-19 season, no Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) coach has won more games than the 79 of North Stars’ bench boss, Brayden Klimosko.

Following a league championship in his first year at the helm, Klimosko has only continued to contribute to the winning tradition in the Battlefords, leading the Stars to a league-best 44-9-2 record this year, and top spot overall heading into the postseason.

That winning pedigree, along with his growing reputation for being able to get the most out of his players, is a big reason why it came as no surprise when Klimosko was named SJHL Coach of the Year – sharing the award with Kevin Kaminski of La Ronge – for the 2019-20 season.

“For sure he deserves it,” Stars’ captain, Matthew Fletcher said. “He’s one of the best coaches I have ever had, and I’ve loved playing for him. He holds you accountable when he needs to, which is good for us players, but he lets you have fun too. We’ll have fun in practice but when it’s time to work, it’s time to work; and to play under a coach like that, you couldn’t ask for more.”

Stars’ assistant coach Rob Holoien, who played against Klimosko in their Junior hockey days, added that while the years may have passed, his colleague’s tireless work ethic and dedication to the game has continued to set him apart and lead to success at the rink.

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“I’m with him every day and I see what he does on a daily basis, and boy does the guy work hard,” Holoien said. “It is a blessing to learn from him and he’s been excellent with me, just teaching me the ropes. Character is what he’s about, and that’s what we’re about as a team, which shows on the ice and we’ve had a lot of success because of it.”

Something special: Klimosko was named coach of the year Wednesday, ahead of facing the division rival Broncos in Humboldt, the community the Stars’ coach and general manager cut his teeth at the Junior A ranks. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Born and raised in Humboldt, Sask., Klimosko began his coaching career spending three years as an assistant with his hometown Broncos before moving over to the Drumheller Dragons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) for the 2017-18 campaign.

Returning to the SJHL with the North Stars last season, in his first head coaching opportunity, Klimosko led the team to the pinnacle with a Canalta Cup championship, before locking up top seed heading into the playoffs in their bid for a title-defence this season.

Klimosko said while it is undoubtedly a special honour to be named coach of the year, he is grateful to those who have helped him get to this point including family, friends, former coaches and, of course, the players.

“Obviously, it is pretty humbling,” Klimosko said. “[And as for the success] it is the players in the dressing room that are doing it. They are just wanting to get better, they are putting in the work day-in and day-out and I have a great support staff in [athletic therapist] Brett Dale and [assistant coach] Rob Holoien, especially, who puts in a lot of work behind the scenes. It’s been a great environment and we have a good thing going here.”

Klimosko and the North Stars return to action Wednesday night against the Broncos in Humboldt. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin at 7:15 p.m. with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m. on NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey on 1050 CJNB-CJNS and online at CJNB.ca.

Klimosko shares coach of the Year honours with La Ronge’s Kevin Kaminski, who has helped lead the Ice Wolves to a 31-19-6 record and fourth place overall in his first year with the team, following a 12^th place finish for the organization last year.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1