The North Stars’ 20-year-olds pose for a picture March 13. Pictured left to right: Seth Summers, Ben Hiltz, Matthias Urbanski, Rylan Nivon, Dylan McCabe, Elijah Loon-Stewardson, Matthew Fletcher. (Submitted photo/Jennifer Whyte)

By Martin Martinson

Fond Memories

North Stars’ 20-year-olds reflect on Junior career (continued): Part 2

Mar 22, 2020 | 2:00 PM

This is Part 2/2 of a series on battlefordsNOW, reflecting on the Junior hockey careers of the seven North Stars’ 20-year-olds. To read Part 1, click here.

With the conclusion of the 2019-20 season, the Battlefords North Stars must say goodbye to another class of 20-year-olds.

Seven players from this season’s roster will graduate from the Junior hockey ranks, taking with them a host of memories and cherished moments that will last a lifetime.

#12 Matthias Urbanski

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The perfect blend of speed, skill and drive, Urbanski exploded onto the scene with the North Stars during the 2017-18 season, picking up 42 points his first year to finish top-five in rookie scoring.

A product of Oliver, B.C., Urbanski would come to be known as ‘The B.C. Flash,’ for his ability to streak down the ice at lightning-like speeds, putting defenders on their heels.

Urbanski took home the Fan’s Choice and Humanitarian awards at the North Stars’ year-end awards this week, due to his dedication to the community.

The veteran spearheaded the Stars Stand Strong initiative, designed to spread awareness of the importance of mental health, while also being a prominent fixture at team events and outreach functions throughout his three years.

Urbanski finishes his Junior career with 138 points in 151 games, all spent with the Stars.

#3 Dylan McCabe

Beginning his Junior career in Weyburn, breaking in with the Red Wings as a 17-year-old, McCabe was acquired from Drumheller of the Alberta League by the Battlefords during the summer ahead of the 2019-20 season.

Coming over to solidify the team’s core on the blue line, McCabe served as the ‘Swiss Army knife’ on the backend for the North Stars, used in every situation and capable of playing both the left and right side.

Seemingly always in the right position with an active stick and elite-level hockey sense, McCabe was never shy about engaging in one-on-one battles with the top players on the other side.

McCabe finishes his Junior career with 55 points in 173 career games split between Weyburn and the Battlefords of the SJHL, and Drumheller of the AJHL.

#4 Matthew Fletcher

The consummate professional and epitome of class; Fletcher embodied what it meant to be the captain of the North Stars as well as any player has in the nearly 40-year history of the franchise.

The Saskatoon, product was a savant at both ends of the rink, able to control the pace of play by the shift. Fletcher took home SJHL Defenceman of the Year honours this season after posting a career-high 13 goals, 49 points, each placing second amongst league blue liners.

While his first career game was played in Humboldt with the Broncos, Fletcher’s legacy was made in the Battlefords where he played his remaining 159 games, establishing himself as a premier threat in all three zones while setting an example for the team’s youth to follow moving forward.

Fletcher finishes his Junior career with 83 points in 160 SJHL games.

Although the Stars’ graduating personnel will not return to the ice at the Civic Centre next season, the ripple effects of their contributions to the North Stars, their returning teammates, and the community will continue to be felt for years to come.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1