North Stars pictured L-R: Austin Schwab, Emmett Wurst, Bradley Blake, Dylan Esau. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

League-wide Recognition

North Stars see four shine in SJHL Players of Week

Mar 16, 2022 | 4:00 PM

The Battlefords North Stars are rolling heading into the postseason, and accompanying the team success, four Stars players have been recognized for their performance of late in the SJHL Players of the Week.

Dylan Esau was named Forward of the Week – just edging out linemate, Emmett Wurst who finished runner-up – while Austin Schwab took home Goaltender of the Week, and Bradley Blake, Rookie of the Week honours.

Dylan Esau, Forward of the Week

Picking up two goals and five points in three games last week, Dylan Esau notched a goal and two assists versus Nipawin in the Stars’ 7-1 win Tuesday, before adding another multi-point effort with a goal and a helper in Kindersley in Saturday’s 4-2 win over the Klippers.

Dylan Esau finished the season red-hot with 11 goals, 20 points over his last 12 games, dating back to mid-February. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

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“It’s always nice to be recognized, but I couldn’t do it without my linemates who are really playing well, and so is our team,” Esau said of the honour.

Esau’s 58 points in 57 games this season led the North Stars, as he also finished tied for a team-best 23 goals.

Austin Schwab, Goaltender of the Week

Despite injuries to both Michael Harroch and Lowen Kenyon in the Stars’ crease, Austin Schwab has ensured the Stars’ goaltending remains a pillar of strength down the stretch. The veteran picked up three straight wins over Nipawin, Flin Flon and Kindersley over a five-day period, stopping 94 of a total 98 shots-against on the week.

Austin Schwab has been lights out for the North Stars of late, carrying the load down the stretch, and making big saves at key moments for the team. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“It means a lot for me and obviously I just wanted to do anything I can to help the team win and get those extra points down the stretch,” Schwab said of the recognition. “It’s always great to be hot heading into the playoffs, and I think that’s a big thing for us.”

Posting a 3-0 record with a 1.33 goals-against average and .959 save percentage over the three games, Schwab finishes the season with a 7-4-0 record in 11 games, while posting a 2.51 goals-against average and .925 save percentage on the year.

Bradley Blake, Rookie of the Week

First-year forward, Bradley Blake has been a force down the stretch for the North Stars, making the most of increased opportunity to play important minutes for the team. The 18-year-old led all SJHL players with four goals on the week, scoring a pair against Nipawin, before adding a goal and an assist against Flin Flon Friday, and another goal against the Klippers Saturday.

With points in five of his last six games (seven total over the span), Bradley Blake has established himself as a key piece of the Stars’ offence heading into the postseason. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“It’s great to get the Rookie of the Week [billing] at this time heading into the playoffs, as it’s obviously special and hopefully we can keep it rolling,” Blake said. “You want to be hot at the right time, and hopefully we can have a good run in the playoffs.”

Blake finished the season with seven goals and 19 points in 37 games.

Emmett Wurst, Runner-up Forward of the Week

With two goals and five points over the team’s three games last week, Emmett Wurst was named runner-up for Forward of the Week honours. Wurst scored a goal and three points against Nipawin, before adding an assist against Flin Flon and a goal against Kindersley over the weekend.

Emmett Wurst has been a swiss-army knife for the North Stars this season, contributing at both center and wing for the team throughout the lineup this year. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“Obviously the team has been buzzing of late, and it’s just great to see everyone rolling and really firing on all cylinders,” Wurst said. “There’s no better time to have it rolling than now, and hopefully we can carry that into the playoffs.”

Wurst finished the season with 14 goals, 25 points in 45 games.

The full list of players recognized in the SJHL Players of the Week can be found here.

The North Stars will open their first round playoff series with the rival, Flin Flon Bombers this weekend at the Access Communications Centre in North Battleford, with Game 1 Friday and Game 2 Saturday. Both will be available on 1050 CJNB, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7 p.m., and puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1