Stars’ forwards Matthias Urbanski and Kaden Boser pose for a quick picture at Stars' practice between drills this season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

A True Brotherhood

North Stars’ camaraderie: Reflecting on the team’s key ingredient to success

Mar 16, 2020 | 3:39 PM

“Uh.. can you repeat the question?” North Stars’ forward, Carson Reagan said with a sheepish grin.

It’s not Reagan’s fault he’s distracted, as by this point – about a minute into his Player Profile interview for the North Stars’ radio broadcast – as many as six or seven teammates have gathered around with keen interest as to what the rookie has to say.

Listening intently, while holding everything from water bottles to rolled up pieces of paper in-hand, and even a rolled workout mat used as a make-shift boom-mic; this impromptu ‘media scrum,’ is a regular occurrence outside the Battlefords’ dressing room.

It seems only fitting, as among the questions posed to the freshman, is one about the comradery in the room. With a league-best 45 wins this season, it’s no secret the North Stars’ players were playing for each other.

“We have a special group this year, being able to do special things,” Reagan said. “The boys love each other; from the coaches to the boys, it goes from the top to the bottom and it’s awesome.”

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Stars’ teammates Adam Dmyterko and Dylan Esau share in celebration, following a Stars’ victory this season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

That was true then, and it remains true now.

After starting the year with a 22-1 record through their opening 23 games, the North Stars never looked back. The team continued their dominance to remain in top spot overall for the complete season.

Clinching the top seed by mid-February, the North Stars went on to finish the campaign with a 45-11-2 record. The club’s 92 points were 13 more than second place and just five-back of the franchise record set in 2016-17 for most in the North Stars’ nearly 40-year history.

Stars’ forward, Kaden Boser and defenceman, Noah Form have been roommates over the last two years in the Battlefords, helping prove that off-ice chemistry helps contribute to on-ice results within the team. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

While the post-season may have drawn to a premature close, the abrupt end to the campaign should not dampen the shine of what the Stars’ were able to accomplish. Especially since it is the bonds made while joking around on the bus and in the locker room after practice, that will stand the test of time.

Reflecting on his Junior career, in his 20-year-old season, Stars’ forward Ben Hiltz said it is the friendships and times spend with teammates that he will cherish most.

“I think the biggest thing is just all the guys that you meet throughout your years and spend time with and get to know,” Hiltz said. “That is huge; those are big relationships that you build for the rest of your life and there are a lot of great memories that go along with that.”

Hiltz added he was grateful for the chance to join the North Stars and play a part in the team’s bid for a championship (before the playoffs were cut short).

“It [was] just exciting being in North Battleford with some new teammates to meet and get to know and I know we’re going to be tight for a long time now,” he said. “I think that’s been the biggest part of my junior career, just spending time with everybody that you spend time with every day and getting to know them.”

Hiltz is one of seven North Stars’ players who will be graduating from the junior hockey ranks as a 20-year-old this season. He joins Rylan Nivon, Matthias Urbanski, Elijah Loon-Stewardson, Matthew Fletcher, Seth Summers and Dylan McCabe as advancing personnel.

While the junior hockey wheel will continue to turn next season with a number of key players returning, one thing is for certain, the 2019-20 North Stars made their mark with a season to remember.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1