Anthony Campbell and Gavin Granger were the North Stars representatives on the SJHL Viking Cup Championship winning team. (Battlefords North Stars/Facebook)

By Ryan Lambert

sjhl wins viking cup

North Stars Campbell, Granger reflect on SJHL Viking Cup Win

Jan 5, 2026 | 3:03 PM

In the first Viking Cup since 2006, the SJHL U20s team took down the SAIT Trojans 5-4 in overtime in the gold medal game, finishing the tournament undefeated and taking home first place.

The Battlefords North Stars had representation from two players, Anthony Campbell and Gavin Granger. The North Stars shined in the gold medal game, Campbell had a goal and an assist in the game, and Granger added a goal of his own, scoring off of a rebound from a shot of Campbell’s.

“Granger’s goal, I kind of shot it. It was a really bad shot,” Campbell joked. “Then Granger found a way to put it in. Mine was just a tip in front to bring us back for a three… Granger wanted it so bad because he had a lot of chances in the whole tournament but finally scored when it matters the most. So, it was good.”

Granger added to getting that goal in the clutch situation.

“I was kind of fighting it all week. I had my chances, couldn’t seem to get one to go but I started the game off with the first goal in the gold medal game, kind of got the boys going.”

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Campbell was on the ice when Estevan Bruins defenceman Ethan Andrews scored the gold medal winning goal in overtime, saying he “blacked out” a bit in the celebration. “Andrews was right in front of me. He shot it twice and the second one was a good one. So it was fun, then just to throw your helmets and gloves and yeah, it was a fun moment.”

Before the overtime period, the SJHL team tied it up in the final minute of play with Granger out there in a moment he described as “really hectic.”

“I had a wide open look with like 20 seconds left and I ended up hitting our teammate Noah Asmundson right in the ankle and I thought it was over, then Henrikson just kind of got a greasy one, got it to go one somehow and it was electric.”

Granger and Campbell reflected on what it means for them to have won the first Viking Cup since 2006. “Looking back at some of the alumni that have been there. Guys like Henrik Lundqvist and Dominik Hasek played in that tournament. It’s obviously pretty special to play in it and even better to win it too,” said Granger. “One of the most special moments I’ve had in hockey and I’ll remember that for a long time,” added Campbell.

The SJHL U20 team finished the Viking Cup undefeated to win the first edition of the tournament since 2006. (SJHL/Facebook)

Playing and winning against older competition, both Campbell and Granger mentioned the confidence boost it gives them coming back to the North Stars for the final stretch of the season.

Some universities at the tournament gave the SJHL players a chance to potentially earn their way to the next level. Granger said he talked to a couple of schools. While Campbell said he didn’t speak to any universities at the tournament, mentioned that he “maybe attracted a couple,” but the end goal which they accomplished was coming home with a Viking Cup gold medal.

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com