Stars signings pictured top L-R: Easton Adrian, Wyatt Wurtz. Pictured bottom L-R: Owen Dyck, Dayne Henry. (Twitter/BattlefordsAAAStars)

By Martin Martinson

Stars signings Pt. 2

AAA Stars bolster blue line with regional signings

Apr 20, 2021 | 5:00 PM

The Battlefords U18 AAA Stars announced a number of new player signings this week, in preparation for the 2021-22 season, including three defencemen from the Martensville minor hockey ranks, and one from Prince Albert’s AA program.

Head coach of the Stars, Dale Grayston said he likes the mix of skill and intangibles amongst the group as the roster takes shape.

“We’re pretty excited about each of the young guys who have committed to us,” Grayston said. “You’re always looking for skill, but as a friend of mine told me, you want work ethic attached to the skill, and so far all of these guys have shown that really well.”

Easton Adrian

Defenceman Easton Adrian grew up just over an hour east of the Battlefords, in Dameny, Sask., and at 6’2, is a big defenceman with a long reach. In his final year of U15 AA during the 2019-20 season, Adrian finished seventh amongst blue liners in league scoring, with 41 points in 25 games.

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Adrian was drafted by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the 11^th round of the 2020 WHL Bantam Draft, #240 overall.

Defenceman Easton Adrian signs with the Battlefords AAA Stars. (Twitter/BattlefordsAAAStars)

Hometown: Dalmeny, Sask.

Date of birth: Apr. 2, 2005

Position: Defenceman

Shoots: Left

Height/Weight: 6’2, 181 lbs

2020-21 team: Martensville Marauders U18 AA

Wyatt Wurtz

Wyatt Wurtz is another standout defender from Dalmeny, who graduates from the Martensville AA program to the Stars’ AAA team.

The now 16-year-old rearguard registered 19 points in 31 games with the U15 AA Marauders in 2019-20, prior to joining the U18 AA team in 2020-21, before the season was ultimately cancelled due to the pandemic. Wyatt is listed by the Flin Flon Bombers of the SJHL.

Defenceman Wyatt Wurtz signs with the Battlefords AAA Stars. (Twitter/BattlefordsAAAStars)

Hometown: Dalmeny, Sask.

Date of birth: 2005 (Age 16)

Position: Defenceman

Shoots: Right

Height/Weight: 5’11/181 lbs

2020-21 team: Martensville Marauders U18 AA

Owen Dyck

The third and final graduate of the Martensville Marauders U15 AA program to sign with the Stars is defenceman Owen Dyck.

Dyck scored six points in 31 games with the team as a rookie blue-liner in 2019-20 before pacing to obliterate his previous mark this year. In just two games with the U15 team prior to the season cancelation, the product of Borden, Sask., scored two goals and four points in two games with the team.

Defenceman Owen Dyck signs with the Battlefords AAA Stars. (Twitter/BattlefordsAAAStars)

Hometown: Borden, Sask.

Date of birth: Jan. 14, 2006

Position: Defenceman

Shoots: Left

Height/Weight: 5’8/134 lbs

2020-21 team: Martensville Marauders U15 AA

Dayne Henry

A smooth skater from Prince Albert, 14-year-old Dayne Henry joins the AAA Stars following two years with the P.A. Pirates U15 AA team. Henry had 10 points in 31 games during the 2019-20 season before adding another two points in three games in 2020-21, prior to the abrupt season stoppage.

Defenceman Dayne Henry signs with the Battlefords AAA Stars. (Twitter/BattlefordsAAAStars)

Hometown: Prince Albert, Sask.

Date of birth: Nov. 8, 2006

Position: Defenceman

Shoots: Left

Height/Weight: 5’7/154 lbs

2020-21 team: Prince Albert Pirates U15 AA

The AAA Stars’ new signings will be joined by a returning core of forwards, Kobie Anderson, Rylan Williams and Zane Normand; defencemen Ryan Taylor and Nate Monchuk; and goaltender Rhett Harkkot. Forward Jakin Lawrence who has played the last couple of years in Swift Current also joins the club as a veteran presence.

Altogether, the local AAA team has officially signed 17 players at this point for next season.

This is part 2/2, as battlefordsNOW breaks down the 10 new faces that will join the local U18 AAA club come September. Part 1/2 of the AAA Stars’ signing announcements is available here.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1