The Battlefords North Stars have only played three games this season, due to a late start to the campaign, and previous postponements relating to the ongoing pandemic. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

A Hockey Community

‘A tough day for hockey’: North Stars, BMHA react to postponement

Nov 25, 2020 | 6:01 PM

The Government of Saskatchewan announced Wednesday, the suspension of all team and group sports, activities, and practices as part of its provincial address.

The announcement will affect the Battlefords North Stars of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), the Battlefords Minor Hockey Association (BMHA), along with a number of other community-based sports and organizations.

North Stars

Following the announcement, the North Stars released a statement via social media, thanking their fans for their patience and support during this time.

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Head coach of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko said it was difficult to hear the announcement Wednesday, after waiting so long for the season to begin in the first place, just earlier this month.

“Obviously we’re disappointed with the news today, but understand that health is number one,” Klimosko said. “The guys have been working hard the last couple of weeks, so we’ll be looking forward to getting back out there as soon as we can.”

Marketing manager with the North Stars, Jennifer Whyte, added while the announcement wasn’t completely unexpected, it still stings to receive the news.

“The announcement today is certainly not what we had hoped for,” Whyte said. “It’s kind of what we had expected, but we’re hopeful that 2021 will be much brighter for hockey in general and for the Stars organization.”

Whyte said the team members remain optimistic for a return to play in the New Year, and they appreciate all the support they continue to receive from the community during this time.

“We’ve had a lot of really great support from the community and from our sponsors, and hopefully everyone will take this leap of faith and stick with us into the New Year,” she said. “We’ll be sure to keep everyone posted as we move forward.”

The North Stars have played only three games so far this season, after the start of the schedule was pushed back later than usual previously, due to the pandemic.

Battlefords Minor Hockey

President of the Battlefords Minor Hockey Association (BMHA), Kyle Kellgren, echoed Whyte’s sentiment that the foreshadowing of the coming postponement didn’t make the news any less difficult to accept.

“It’s not a surprise. I think everyone was expecting this as the numbers just increasingly got worse, but it is a disappointing day,” Kellgren said. “Our kids need stuff to do and hockey is a great resource for over 500 kids in our association, plus all our AAA teams and our Junior A team. It’s a lot to digest, but you just feel bad for all the kids, and all the people who love to watch hockey.”

Kellgren did add however, that the BMHA will be keeping an eye on the latest from Hockey Saskatchewan in the days ahead.

According to the provincial restrictions, athletes 18 years of age and under may continue practicing, conditioning and skills training in groups of eight or fewer, abiding by the required mask use and at least three metres of physical distancing between participants at all times.

That being said, the guidelines do stipulate individual groups of eight may not share a training or rehearsal surface or space at the same time. Coaches and trainers are not included in the training group numbers as long as they are masked and maintain a minimum physical distance of three metres.

“Hopefully we can still get some [modified] practicing in for the kids but no games and no exhibition games probably until the New Year makes it a tough day for hockey,” Kellgren said.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1