The North Stars Hockey School brings team and community together, to help the next generation of local hockey players take their game to the next level. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Hockey returns

North Stars Hockey School to kick off Monday

Aug 14, 2020 | 5:00 PM

The fall hockey season may remain in limbo for the time being, but that hasn’t stopped the Battlefords North Stars from connecting with their community through the hosting of their annual Hockey School this summer.

The Stars’ Hockey School was split into two separate weeks this year, to allow for as many children and youth to attend as possible, while still adhering to the COVID-19 capacity restrictions.

The first week of the Hockey School will run from Aug. 17 to 21, while the second will take place from Aug. 24 to 28, both at the Civic Centre.

Each of two camps will feature programs for the Novice (U9), Atom (U11), and Peewee (U13) age groups, run by coaches, Brayden Klimosko and Rob Holoien. Additionally, several players from the North Stars will also be on-hand to help run activities and assist the youth as they work to develop their game through a mix of on-ice drills, off-ice training, and various fun activities.

Jennifer Whyte, marketing Manager with the North Stars, said it will be nice to reconnect with the fans again, following an abnormally quiet summer around the rink.

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“Obviously we left right at the beginning of the pandemic, so our fans were kind of just left stunned just like we were,” she said. “It’s really nice to be able to bring the boys back and give the younger fan base the chance to interact with them again, and give them a little bit of excitement and something to look forward to as well.”

While there still remains some level of uncertainty surrounding if/when the hockey season will begin this fall for the North Stars, Whyte said getting together at the rink again to offer the camp can only bode well for getting the season started right.

“The Hockey School is the first kick-off event for the season, where our younger fan base gets to really meet those players [helping out],” She said. “And it’s those players at that camp that become those kind of number one players for these kids,” she said. “It’s pretty big for us, and we’re excited.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic some new protocols will be in affect at the North Stars’ Hockey School this year.

Only one spectator per child attending the Stars’ camp will be permitted to stay at the rink, as the team will be monitoring to ensure the 30-spectator limit will not be exceeded. Stipulations regarding the physical distancing between non-household members also remain in place.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1