Stars captain, Southgate named team’s SJHL Community Ambassador

Now in his 20-year-old season with the Stars, Southgate has become among the most recognizable faces in the community for his efforts over the last few years, volunteering his time at a number of team and community functions, even during the summer months, before the season begins.

For a third straight year, Southgate was on hand to help coach at the North Stars’ annual Hockey School in August, helping the next generation of youth hockey players to develop their skills alongside their local hockey heroes.

He also was present at the Battlefords and Area Sexual Assault Centre’s ‘Walk-a-Mile in Her Shoes’ event for a third year, helping raise funds for the community non-profit.

Whether it’s coaching, stepping outside his comfort zone in a pair of red heels with teammates, or jumping into a game of street hockey at the team’s Season Ticket BBQ, or Canadian Tire Jumpstart Fundraiser, #21 has been right there through it all doing what he can to give back to his community and help inspire the next generation.

Southgate said being named the team’s representative for community ambassador is something he takes to heart.

“It’s really cool, and it’s something I take a lot of pride in,” Southgate said. “You see all the kids out there at the games and I think a big part of that is that all our guys on the team are really good guys and I’m proud to be selected as the team representative.”

“I used to be one of those kids [coming to the games], so it’s an honour to play for this team and be the captain. It’s a dream come true, and I hope one of those kids will be [in my position] one day.” – Jake Southgate

On the ice, Southgate’s 50 points in 34 games are just two back of his career-high 52, set last season in 55 games to finish second in team scoring. In addition, the recent Lindenwood University commit has proven himself as a premier two-way forward in the league, as a regular on the penalty kill and consistent physical presence with the puck.

Head coach of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko said it’s that mix of on-ice and off-ice excellence that made Southgate an easy choice for captain when he was given the ‘C’ even prior to the summer.

“It starts in the summertime for Jake, and he’s always out there helping wherever he can,” Klimosko said. “He doesn’t ever complain and always shows up, so it’s a good choice for us [for Community Ambassador]. We have lots of guys this year that are great in the community, and Jake’s a big part of that for us.”

Joining Southgate on the SJHL’s Community Ambassador team are: Ethan Strik (La Ronge Ice Wolves), Jakob Kalin (Weyburn Red Wings), Aleksa Babic (Estevan Bruins), Wyatt Day (Melfort Mustangs), Clay Sleeva (Yorkton Terriers), Cole Duperreault (Flin Flon Bombers), Payton Kostyshyn (Melville Millionaires), Ethan Zielke (Humboldt Broncos), Alex Johnson (Nipawin Hawks), Tylin Hilbig (Kindersley Klippers), and Jaryd Sych (Notre Dame Hounds).

Southgate and his North Stars teammates will return to action Thursday as the team shoot for their 15^th straight win, in their first of three games in three nights to kick off their southern road swing through Wilcox (Notre Dame), Weyburn, and Estevan.

A slightly later start than usual, Thursday’s NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey Broadcast from Notre Dame will be available on 1050 CJNB, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7:30 p.m., and puck drop to follow at 8 p.m.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

by Martin Martinson

Stars captain, Southgate named team’s SJHL Community Ambassador

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