Pictured right: a brief preview of some of the faces North Stars' fans will come to know and cheer for in the coming years. (Facebook/Battlefords North Stars)

By Martin Martinson

The Next Wave

North Stars announce signings for 2024-25 season

Mar 15, 2024 | 8:00 AM

The Battlefords North Stars recently announced their first wave of player signings for the 2024-25 hockey season, which included a pair of recent draft picks, and a local Battlefords standout.

Among the players recently signed to the team are forwards Devante Pratt, Bryce Boughen, and Ryder Boddez; and defenceman, Owen Dyck.

Devante Pratt

A 17-year-old forward and hometown product from the Town of Battleford, Pratt has worked his way up through the local minor hockey ranks, from U15 to U18 AA two years ago to AAA this year, and now signing with the North Stars for next fall.

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After finishing fifth in team scoring with 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 43 games in his first year with the AAA Stars, Pratt said now getting a chance to sign with the North Stars is nothing short of a dream come true.

“Growing up here in the Battlefords going to the ACC every night you see all the supportive fans, and to be able to play the rest of my hockey in front of my grandparents here in the Battlefords, and in front of the best fans in the SJHL, means a lot to me. It really couldn’t be any better,” Pratt said.

North Stars’ head scout, Wylie Riendeau said as a big strong forward who plays hard every shift, it’s just a matter of time until Pratt is a fan-favorite amongst North Stars’ fans.

“It’s always good to have those local kids, and Devante’s a big guy, he’s really improved his skills over the last year, and we really like the physicality aspect that he brings to the game,” he said. “Devante’s kind of an agitator so he’s not afraid to get involved and he’s going to be a fun guy to watch. I think the fans are really going to appreciate the way he plays.”

Bryce Boughen

A fifth-round selection of the North Stars, #57 overall back in the 2022 SJHL Bantam Draft, Boughen is coming off an excellent second season with the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Sask U18 AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL), as a 17-year-old.

Finishing second in team scoring with 36 points (14 goals, 22 assists) in 44 games, before adding another four points (one goal, three assists) in four playoff games, Riendeau said the 5’10, 161-pound forward brings a diverse skillset that will make him an asset throughout the lineup.

“Bryce has really improved here the last couple of years in Moose Jaw, he was one of their leading scorers this year, and he was an assistant captain for them as well,” Riendeau said. “He’s got good skills, good speed, and he plays all situations. I think he’s going to be one that we look to to provide some offense, and he comes in as someone who can kill some penalties and kind of do a little bit of everything as well; you can put him anywhere in the lineup and he’s going to excel.”

Ryder Boddez

Boddez is coming off a strong 17-year-old season with the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers of the Alberta AAA League (AEHL U18), where he finished just a point back of fourth in team scoring with 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 38 games.

The lone Alberta native of the North Stars’ four recent signings, Riendeau said the Sturgeon County product is someone the team’s had their eye on for a while now, as he’s developed his game coming up the ranks.

“We kind of tracked Ryder the last couple of seasons, and he had a pretty good year with Fort Saskatchewan this year,” Riendeau said. “He’s a smaller forward, but he’s pretty quick and has good puck skills, so we’re looking for him to come in and hopefully produce some offense. He has a high compete-level, so we’re looking forward to that and think he’ll fit in well.”

Owen Dyck

A third-round selection of the North Stars in the 2022 SJHL Bantam Draft, #33 overall, Dyck finished his second season of Sask AAA with the Prince Albert Mintos with 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 42 games.

Already a big body at 6’0, 185 pounds, Riendeau said the product of nearby Borden projects as a strong presence on the Battlefords’ backend, both physically and with his leadership intangibles.

“He’s played in PA the last couple of seasons and has had a really good season this year,” he said. “He was pretty good with us in exhibition [back in the fall], but we decided to send him back to get some more ice time this year and he’s really developed into a steady defenceman. He’s big, he’s got good size, and he plays with an edge, so we’re pretty excited to have him come in.”

Being from Borden he’s pretty local to us [too], so his family will get to come and watch every game and he’s a great kid. He was an assistant captain with the Mintos, and has some great leadership qualities as well.”

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

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