With a first-place finish last season, after a winning a league championship 2019, the Battlefords North Stars will look to extend their stay on top of the league this fall, with another strong season in 2020-21. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Summertime signings

North Stars reload with key player signings

Jun 17, 2020 | 5:03 PM

It has been a busy last couple of weeks for the Battlefords North Stars, as the team works to reload ahead of the fall of 2020.

While the new season sits still a few months away, the Stars have already got a solid jump on remolding their roster. The team signed 10 players over the last two weeks, including five forwards and five defencemen.

Up front, the signings feature forwards Kevin-Thomas Walters, Silas Buijs, Ryder Kenyon, Jake Southgate, and Trevor Kennedy. On the back-end, boosts to the blue line include the additions of defencemen Owen Lugowski, Jaden Kim, Wilson Steele, Zane Florence, and Tristan Ouellette.

Of the 10 players signed recently, two are from Saskatchewan while eight are from outside the province; with five from Alberta, two from B.C. and one from Quebec.

Head Coach and General Manager of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko, said having players from across the country bodes well for continued team success moving forward.

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“We’re excited some guys have committed from a long distance away to come play for us,” Klimosko said. “I think overall, that shows they’re committed to hockey, they’re committed to getting better as hockey players. And if they promise on coming, we’re going to promise to do our job as coaches to make sure we’re developing them.”

Klimosko added the dedication of Head Scout and Assistant General Manager, Wylie Riendeau, is nothing short of integral to the team’s ability to recruit players and lay the foundation for a winning on-ice product.

He said that committment to the players coupled with the Stars’ rich tradition, winning culture and passionate community support of the team, have all played a pivotal role in making the Battlefords an optimal junior hockey destination.

North Stars signings:

Owen Lugowski

Position: Defence

Shoots: Right

Height/Weight: 6-3, 180 pounds

Birthdate: Jan. 14, 2002 (Age 18)

Hometown: Okotoks, Alta.

2019-20 Team: Airdrie CFR Bisons U18 AAA

Stat line: 25GP, 0G, 5A, 5PTS

Kevin-Thomas Walters

Position: Forward

Shoots: Left

Height/Weight: 5-10, 170 pounds

Birthdate: April 5, 2002 (Age 18)

Hometown: Vernon, B.C.

2019-20 Team: North Okanagan Knights (KIJHL)

Stat line: 46GP, 18G, 16A, 34PTS

Jaden Kim

Position: Defence

Shoots: Right

Height/Weight: 5-11, 170 pounds

Birthdate: Dec. 23, 2002 (Age 17)

Hometown: Calgary, Alta.

2019-20 Team: IHA Midget Prep (CSSHL)

Stat line: 36GP, 1G, 16A, 17PTS

Silas Buijs

Position: Forward

Shoots: Left

Height/Weight: 6-4, 180 pounds

Birthdate: Feb. 6, 2002 (Age 18)

Hometown: Red Deer, Alta.

2019-20 Team: Red Deer Chiefs U18 AAA

Stat line: 32GP, 11G, 10A, 21PTS

Wilson Steele

Position: Defence

Shoots: Left

Height/Weight: 6-4, 285 pounds

Birthdate: Apr. 18, 2002 (Age 18)

Hometown: Calgary, Alta.

2019-20 Team: Calgary Buffaloes U18 AAA

Stat line: 30GP, 2G, 10A, 12PTS

Ryder Kenyon

Position: Forward

Shoots: Left

Height/Weight: 5-9, 160 pounds

Birthdate: July 30, 2002 (Age 17)

Hometown: Lloydminster, Alta.

2019-20 Team: Lloydminster Bobcats U18 AAA

Stat line: 32GP, 11G, 19A, 30PTS

Jake Southgate

Position: Forward

Shoots: Left

Height/Weight: 5-9, 160 pounds

Birthdate: Nov. 4, 2002 (Age 17)

Hometown: Battleford, Sask.

2019-20 Team: Battlefords Stars U18 AAA

Stat line: 43GP, 17G, 11A, 28PTS

Zane Florence

Position: Defence

Shoots: Left

Height/Weight: 5-10, 185 pounds

Birthdate: Dec. 1, 2002 (Age 17)

Hometown: North Battleford, Sask.

2019-20 Team: Prince Albert Mintos U18 AAA

Stat line: 32GP, 1G, 7A, 8PTS

Tristan Ouellette

Position: Defence

Shoots: Right

Height/Weight: 5-9, 175 pounds

Birthdate: Dec. 15, 2002 (Age 17)

Hometown: Mont-Laurier, QC

2019-20 Team: Saint-Hyacinthe Gaulois (QMAAA)

Stat line: 42GP, 5G, 7A, 12PTS

Trevor Kennedy

Position: Forward

Shoots: Left

Height/Weight: 6-0, 195 pounds

Birthdate: March 13, 2002 (Age 18)

Hometown: Armstrong, B.C.

2019-20 Team: Chase Heat (KIJHL)

Stat line: 38GP, 12G, 14A, 26PTS

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1