North Stars’ 20-year-olds reflect on Junior career: Part 1

A veteran of over 200 career games, Ben Hiltz began his Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) career as a 17-year-old in his hometown of Weyburn, Sask.

After playing his first three seasons in front of the local Red Wings’ crowd, Hiltz was traded to the North Stars midway through the 2019-20 campaign, returning to the Battlefords’ community, where he played his final year of Midget AAA.

Hiltz brought size, skill, reach and defensive presence to the Stars, checking all the boxes on what it takes to be an elite player at both ends of the rink; while also leaving a lasting impact on teammates, coaches and the community in both the Battlefords and Weyburn.

Hiltz finishes his junior career with 174 points in 209 SJHL games split between the Red Wings and North Stars.

#23 Rylan Nivon

Rylan Nivon reflects on junior career (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

After a brief seven-game stint with the Melville Millionaires to begin his junior career, Nivon broke in as a full time ‘Junior A’ player at 18-years-of-age, during the 2017-18 season with the Lloydminster Bobcats of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL).

Following two years with the Bobcats, Nivon was acquired by the North Stars during the offseason, and immediately made an impact as a leader both on and off the ice with the team.

Leading the Stars in points at the time of his injury in mid-January, Nivon’s playmaking acumen, versatility and high hockey IQ allowed the veteran to mesh well with whoever he played with, finishing the season with 46 points in just 44 games.

Nivon closes out his Junior career with 80 points in 153 games split between Melville and the Battlefords of the SJHL, and Lloydminster of the AJHL.

#25 Elijah Loon-Stewardson

Elijah Loon-Stewardson reflects on junior career (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Elijah Loon-Stewardson took the train from Sioux Lookout, Ontario to the Battlefords three seasons ago, making his debut with the North Stars during the 2017-18 season.

A difference maker early in his tenure, Loon-Stewardson continued to grow his point totals exponentially over his three years with the Stars. Following a 17-point rookie season, he then jumped to 38 his second year, before establishing himself as one of the truly great players in the SJHL with 53 points in just 49 games this season.

Loon-Stewardson provided leadership, edge (as shown by his 181 penalty minutes this year) and intangibles in addition to his offensive contributions; serving as the character of the Stars as a team, personified.

Loon-Stewardson finishes his junior career with 108 points in 149 games, all spent with the North Stars.

#27 Seth Summers

Seth Summers reflects on junior careeer. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

There were few sights more electric at the Civic Centre this year than Seth ‘Summer-time’ Summers blazing through open ice with the puck on a string, as the blue liner brought the fans out of their seats on a nightly basis.

Breaking into the junior ranks during the 2018-19 season, it wasn’t long until Summers had established himself as an integral part to the team’s success, playing big minutes in the Stars’ run to the Canalta Cup as league champions.

Returning as a 20-year-old for the 2019-20 season, Summers dominated at both ends of the rink. The blue liner finished second in both goals (13) and points (49) amongst rearguards, while matching up nightly against the opposition’s best.

Summers finishes his junior career with 62 points in 106 SJHL games, all spent with the North Stars.

This is Part 1/2 of a series on battlefordsNOW, reflecting on the junior hockey careers of the seven North Stars’ 20-year-olds. Part 2/2 will be posted tomorrow at 2 p.m.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

North Stars’ 20-year-olds reflect on Junior career: Part 1

What's Trending