Defenceman, Wyatt Wurtz is among a small but strong core of returning players on the AAA Stars this season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Hockey season approaching

Battlefords AAA Stars announce roster for 2022-23

Sep 2, 2022 | 7:04 PM

After getting a taste of the playoffs last year, the Battlefords AAA Stars are determined to return to the dance this season.

The Stars are coming off their first playoff appearance as an organization since 2016, something that has only stoked the competitive flame amongst players and staff alike heading into the season, as the organization looks to build on that progress this fall.

“I’m really excited, after last year when we made the playoffs for the first time in five or six years, just coming back as one of the few veterans is really nice,” defenceman, Wyatt Wurtz said. “I know I’m going to have to be a big leader on the team and I’m looking forward to doing that, and to making the playoffs again this year.”

The Stars will be a young team this season, with just five returning players from last year’s roster, though their experience within that core will prove an invaluable asset to the team.

Wurtz is the lone returning blue liner, and will be joined by goaltender, Matthew Ofukany, and forwards Ayden Belanger, Dayne Henry and Treycen Wuttunee (the latter two of which are currently attending WHL camps with Edmonton (Wuttunee) and Moose Jaw (Henry) respectively).

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New additions to the roster this year include:

Forwards: Jesse Borschneck (Battlefords), Lee Burden (Prince Albert), Nash Curniski (Prince Albert), Jack Forrester (Saskatoon), Cohen Noreikat (Prince Albert), Trey Penrod and Tyce Penrod (Saskatoon), Ethan Sautner (Kindersley), and Austin Shepherd (Kerrobert).

Defencemen: Ryder Ellis (Meadow Lake), Lincoln Fisher (Spiritwood), Tao Flory (Saskatoon), Rylen LeRoux (Humboldt), and Kaden Veller (Macklin).

Goaltender: Brady Carr (Vawn, SK).

Head coach with the Stars, Dale Grayston said there has been lots to like through camp and the early part of the pre-season, with a good mix of speed and snarl present on the Stars’ roster this year.

“We’ve got a lot of gritty kids and a lot that can move pretty well with good mobility pretty much everywhere on our roster,” Grayston said. “I think the big thing is with just five returnees we just need to mesh as a team as quickly as possible, but our identity will be our team speed and grit.”

Fitting right in with that identity is first-year forward, Jesse Borschneck.

A two-way forward who can make plays at high speed, Borschneck said heading into his first year with the team, he’s looking forward to the opportunity ahead to contribute to the club this season, as they work to return to the playoff picture come the spring.

“I thought camp was really good, we had a good turnout and we brought some guys in who I think will really impact the team, so we should have a pretty good year,” he said. “For me I’m just looking to get better and improve as a player, and for the team we just need to go out and compete every night.”

A Battlefords product who grew up in the local minor hockey system, Borschneck, who finished first in goals (23) and second in points (41) in 33 games with the U18 AA North West Stars last year, said he’s looking forward to taking the next step to AAA in his hometown this year.

“Obviously it’s always great getting to play in front of your family and friends, and just growing up watching the AAA team and the North Stars, it’s just a huge honour and I can’t wait to get it started,” he said.

The AAA Stars next home game of the pre-season will be Sept. 16 versus Lloydminster at the ACC. The team’s full pre-season and regular season schedule can be found on their Facebook page.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1