The Battlefords North Stars are chomping at the bit to return to play this fall, following an extended summer this offseason, due to the pandemic. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

North Stars Summer

North Stars reflect on unique summer training experience

Aug 26, 2020 | 2:27 PM

It has been a summer unlike any other, to say the least for the Battlefords North Stars.

The extended offseason began with a bang when the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) playoffs were cancelled abruptly, March 12, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Within days, players were headed their separate ways back home, wondering much like everyone else, what was next.

But the early exit to last season was only the beginning of the effects the ongoing pandemic would have on players and their summertime plans; especially as it would pertain to training.

North Stars’ defenceman, Timon Prexler is spending his summer back home in Coquitlam, B.C., and said it took a while for the ice rinks to reopen, allowing him to see some skating time.

However, already an effortless skater with a fluent stride, Prexler said coming off his first SJHL season last year, his focus this offseason has been primarily on getting bigger and stronger ahead of the fall.

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“Most definitely the biggest adjustment last year was the speed and physicality, “Prexler said. “In the SJHL, all four lines are always going. It’s very physical and a very fast-moving game all the time.”

As such, the soon-to-be 20-year-old, was sure to not waste time in getting training underway. Even before the gyms had reopened in the province, Prexler was hard at work training at home, using a range of equipment including dumbbells, resistance bands, and a pull-up bar in addition to regular cardio training.

He said it’s all about getting a good mix of upper and lower-body workouts in, along with the odd rest day to let the body recuperate.

“It’s been one day legs, one day arms, and keep that rotating, with a couple rest days, a lot of stretching, and mobilizing,” he said. “Getting more agile to be able to avoid checks is key and if you have to take the check, you’ve got to be ready and get the shoulders nice and strong so you can absorb and return some [physicality].”

Stars’ forward, Jaxon Steele is another player out west for the summer, in his hometown of Calgary, Alta.

Training at Crash Conditioning in Calgary, Steele said there have certainly been a few subtle wrinkles to adjust to this year as well, within the training atmosphere.

“It’s been super good so far, but even wearing masks while you work out or wearing masks while you’re walking around is super different,” Steele said. “That being said, I’m just going with it, just always trying to work on getting quicker and working on my game to try to get as good as possible to hopefully continue to move up onto the next level after [this final year of junior].”

Steele said perhaps among the biggest challenges this summer, has been the mental side of things, with much uncertainty surrounding the new season still looming.

The SJHL remains hopeful for a season, but the current target date was bumped back a couple more weeks just last month, with approval from the Sask. Health Authority still needed prior to when a return to play can commence.

Despite the uncertainty however, Steele said he is just trying to focus on the things within his control. He said his key is to get himself into the best position possible to have success for when the return to play does go ahead, whenever that might be.

“It’s extremely tough when there’s no solidified start date to look forward to, and usually training in August is working up to camp and the season starting up, so that’s a little bit different,” Steele said. “Staying at home through a couple more weeks and not knowing the official start date is tough, but I’m excited for the season and to see all the boys again that are coming back; I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

The SJHL season is tentatively scheduled to begin Oct. 9. The Stars will open their season on the road in Kindersley, with the team’s home opener to follow Oct. 10.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1