Pictured clockwise: Forwards Holden Doell (top left), Kobie Anderson (top right), Matthew Henry (bottom right) and defenceman Jordan Grill (bottom left) signal what looks to be a bright future ahead for the North Stars. (Twitter/North Stars)

By Martin Martinson

North Stars signings PT. 1

North Stars see infusion of local area talent with recent signings

Apr 22, 2021 | 3:52 PM

The Battlefords North Stars announced a number of new player signings this week, in preparation for the 2021-22 season. Nine of the team’s signings to date are from the region, within two hours of the Battlefords community.

Head coach and general manager with the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko said it’s always important to establish a strong core of local talent when building a team at this level.

“Having a lot of guys from the Battlefords and surrounding communities up to about an hour to two away obviously helps with the fan support, but those local guys have also often been to a North Stars game growing up and know what it would be like to play in a packed Civic Centre (Access Communications Centre),” Klimosko said.

“There’s a lot of positives and a lot of benefit to having those guys, and we’re very fortunate and excited to add some of that local flare.”

Holden Doell

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Martensville scoring Phenom, Holden Doell headlines this year’s commitments for the North Stars. During the 2019-20 season, at age 16, Doell led the Sask. U18 AAA league in scoring with 77 points in 42 games. It was the highest league point total since former AAA Stars standout and reigning WHL scoring champion, Adam Beckman scored 78 points for the Battlefords during the 2017-18 season.

In three games with the North Stars to close the 2019-20 regular season, Doell picked up three points. Prior to the season cancellation this year, the forward registered five points in two games with the Saskatoon Blazers to close out his AAA career.

Forward Holden Doell’s signing announcement with the North Stars (Twitter/North Stars)

Hometown: Martensville, Sask.

Date of birth: Dec. 1, 2003 (Age 17)

Position: Forward

Shoots: Right

Height/Weight: 5’10/174 lbs

2020-21 team: Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA

Kobie Anderson

North Battleford’s Kobie Anderson is a hometown product who grew up in the local minor hockey system. Following a breakout final season of U15 AA in 2018-19 that saw him score 21 goals and 35 points in 28 games, Anderson tallied 14 points in 39 games for the Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA team in 2019-20, before joining the hometown AAA Stars last season.

Anderson was also a member of Team Saskatchewan’s U16 roster for the 2019 WHL Cup.

Forward Kobie Anderson’s signing announcement with the North Stars (Twitter/North Stars)

Hometown: North Battleford, Sask

Date of birth: May 12, 2004 (Age 16)

Position: Forward

Shoots: Right

Height/Weight: 5’9/154 lbs

2020-21 team: Battlefords Stars U18 AAA

Jordan Grill

Another local standout who cut his teeth playing minor hockey in the community, Battleford’s Jordan Grill scored 24 points in 30 games to close out his time in U15 AA in 2018-19, before advancing to make an impact at both ends of the ice once again at the AAA level.

In his first full season with the U18 AAA Stars during the 2019-20 campaign, Grill finished second in defenceman scoring on the team with 19 points in 31 games.

Defenceman Jordan Grill’s signing announcement with the North Stars (Twitter/North Stars)

Hometown: Battleford, Sask.

Date of birth: May 4, 2004 (Age 16)

Position: Defence

Shoots: Right

Height/Weight: 5’11, 165 lbs

2020-21 team: Battlefords Stars U18 AAA

Matthew Henry

An alternate captain with the U18 AAA Stars last season, Prince Albert’s Matthew Henry was a first round pick of the North Stars No. 11 overall in the 2019 SJHL Bantam Draft.

Showing good size at 6’0, 190 lbs, Henry scored 45 points in 29 games his final year of U15 AA during the 2018-19 season, before joining the AAA ranks. Henry scored eight points while adding 57 penalty minutes in 34 games with the U18 AAA Stars during the 2019-20 campaign.

Forward Matthew Henry’s signing announcement with the North Stars (Twitter/North Stars)

Hometown: Prince Albert, Sask.

Date of birth: July 16, 2004 (Age 16)

Position: Forward

Shoots: Left

Height/Weight: 6’0/190 lbs

2020-21 team: Battlefords Stars U18 AAA

This is part 1/4, as battlefordsNOW breaks down the new faces that will join the local Junior A club come September. Part 2/4 of the North Stars’ signing announcements is available here.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1