Defenceman, Dylan McCabe announced recently he will be taking the next step in his hockey career with the University of Regina Cougars this fall, as he pursues a career in Education. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Stars defenceman shines

North Stars’ McCabe looking forward to fall following commitment to hometown Cougars

Jul 23, 2020 | 1:15 PM

For blue liner, Dylan McCabe, this fall will mark his first in over four years he won’t be suiting up for a Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) training camp.

Instead, the rearguard will turn the page to the next chapter in his hockey journey. McCabe will age into the USports ranks with his hometown, University of Regina Cougars.

McCabe said he is looking forward to the opportunity to take his game to the next level, with a competitive program close to home. Especially as it’s been some time since he’s been back in the city with any regularity over the winter months.

“It’s definitely a relief in a way and nice to say I’m coming home,” he said. “I left at a fairly young age, at 16, to pursue hockey and play midget AAA [in Prince Albert], so to tell my parents and family I am coming back home is pretty cool and I am really excited.”

McCabe capped his junior hockey career last season with the North Stars, after playing the bulk of his previous three seasons with the Weyburn Red Wings, in addition to a brief spell spent with Drumheller of the Alberta League.

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McCabe established himself as a force on the backend during his time at the junior hockey level, providing a mix of veteran leadership, puck moving prowess and grit on the backend for the first-place Stars last season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The recently-turned 21-year-old, said it was during these last few years playing junior hockey that he realized his passion for Education; a passion he will now pursue while playing for the Cougars.

“Playing junior hockey we do a lot of community service and helping out in our communities and at schools,” he said. “That was kind of when I first thought about maybe wanting to take this as a career and pursue education. Then on top of that, being welcomed into new billet houses and having little siblings who look up to you and being a role model to them, also helped lead me there.”

While he may have only played 50 of his nearly 180 career junior games with the Stars, McCabe said the Battlefords will always hold a special place for him, after a final year to remember with the team.

“I’ll never forget the Battlefords and I’m glad for the time I had there,” he said. “I tell my parents every day that I’m glad I got to finish off my junior career there, not only with a winning team, but with a team that was well-followed by the fans and well-coached every day. I’m very thankful for how I ended my junior experience and it definitely gave me this opportunity I have now at the next level, to pursue education and another level of hockey.”

McCabe joins a UofR Cougars team on the rise, and hungry to compete in 2020-21.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1