This season Tynan Ewart became just the fifth North Stars blue liner to be named SJHL top defenceman, joining Matthew Fletcher ('19-20), Cody Spagrud ('18-19), Fraser Allen ('06-07) and Drew Bagnall ('02-03). (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

NCAA DIV I

Ewart looking forward to next chapter with St. Cloud State

May 30, 2023 | 8:43 AM

Coming off a season among the best in Battlefords North Stars franchise history from the defence position, that included SJHL top defenceman honours and playing a key role in his team’s run to a league championship, Tynan Ewart now shifts his focus to what’s next on the horizon, south of the border this fall.

Earlier this month Ewart announced his commitment to St. Cloud State located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, for the fall of 2023.

Ewart said the opportunity to play Division I NCAA hockey is something he has been working toward from the start of his junior hockey career, three years ago.

“I’m pretty excited. It’s always been a goal of mine to further my hockey career at the college level, and going to the States to play is always something I’ve wanted for as long as I can remember,” he said with a smile.

The commitment is well-deserved for the Duncan, B.C., product, who set the tempo for the North Stars from the blue line all season. From his heads-up play and ability to transition the puck quickly, to the effortless stride he uses at both ends, to jump in on the offence, and angle off on-rushing forwards defensively.

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The SJHL’s leading point scorer from the backend, Ewart lit the league on fire this season with 56 points (8G, 48A) in 55 games to finish top-10 in scoring as the lone defenceman to finish with a point-per-game while playing at least 30 games. It also marks the most points by a North Stars’ defenceman since Drew Bagnall’s 64 in 59 games in 2003, exactly 20 years ago.

Ewart’s scoring exploits continued in the post-season, where the veteran defender added another 14 points (2G, 12A) in 13 games as a pillar of strength on the Battlefords’ backend, to finish seventh in league playoff scoring as well, while playing the most minutes in all situations once again for his team.

Assistant coach of the North Stars, Garry Childerhose spoke to Ewart’s impact on the team this season following a one-goal, one-assist performance by the blue liner in game three of the SJHL Finals, to lead the Stars to a 6-2 win and 3-0 stranglehold in the best-of-seven finals series.

“He’s been a horse for us all season, and last year as well,” Childerhose said of #2. “We’ve relied on him really heavily and he’s been a stud for us all year long. He’s been so good for us all year, but he’s just elevated his game even more in the league final and I think it only gets better from here on in for Tynan.”

The St. Cloud Huskies are a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference of the NCAA, where they finished fourth with a 25-13-3 record this season.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1