The Battlefords North Stars and Battlefords AAA Stars have both been present in the community as of late, shoveling walkways to local businesses and residents' homes after a heavy snowfall this weekend. (submitted photos/North Stars Twitter/BattlefordsAAAStars Twitter)

By Martin Martinson

Lending a hand

North Stars/AAA Stars swap hockey sticks for shovels in community

Nov 9, 2020 | 1:43 PM

Hockey and community have always gone hand-in-hand in the Battlefords.

That display was shown once again over the weekend, and early Monday morning, as both the Battlefords North Stars and Battlefords AAA Stars’ hockey teams separately took initiative to assist friends, neighbours and local businesses by shoveling, following a heavy a snowfall over the weekend.

Head coach of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko said assistant bench boss, Rob Holoien offered up the suggestion of shoveling as a possibility late last week.

“We knew we weren’t going to be on the ice today because of [the Civic Centre being occupied] with the election, so we had to do something with our boys,” Klimosko said. “We thought what better way than shoveling. We’re just happy to have been able to help out some people around town as much as we could.”

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Klimosko said it was great to see the team’s response to the idea, with the players jumping on board immediately, happy to help out early Monday morning.

“Not one of them complained about getting up for 7 a.m., and every one of them was more than willing to do it,” Klimosko said. “Obviously we know how important our local business community is and that was just kind of a little bit of a thank you for what they do for our team.”

The local AAA Stars also took to clearing the snow heap, Sunday, after their two games this weekend were cancelled due to the weather.

Head coach of the AAA Stars, Dale Grayston, said the idea to grab some shovels and start helping out around the community started really organically for the team when a couple of players took initiative on their own time.

“It initially started when a couple of players actually just took it upon themselves, just helping out some neighbours around,” Grayston said. “[From there,] we kind of challenged all the guys to take part and do a good deed for the day and maybe help some elderly people out, or anybody who kind of needed a hand around their neighbourhood.”

Grayston said the fact that the players themselves got the ball rolling shows a lot about the character of the team this season.

“The first group that I was informed about was our captain and a couple of the assistants, so I think it says a lot about the kids,” he said. “It was an off day [due to the weather] so while it was disappointing we were unable to play, it was good to see the players stay active in a really positive way and help add what we could to the community.”

The Battlefords North Stars will return to action Nov. 13 versus the Ice Wolves in La Ronge. The AAA Stars will play their next game Nov. 14 at home, as they host the Saskatoon Blazers.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1