The Battlefords Stars look ahead to next season with the potential of 11 returning players. (Image Credit: Byron Hildebrand Photography/Facebook)

By Ryan Lambert

BATTLEFORDS STARS SEASON RECAP

Battlefords Stars head coach Martin Smith looks back on 2025-26 season

Mar 10, 2026 | 3:33 PM

The Battlefords AAA Stars season is officially over. After the Stars finished in seventh place in the SMAAAHL with a record of 18-21-3-2, the Stars got a tough matchup in the playoffs against the Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors.  

In the first round, the Stars were swept 3-0 by Moose Jaw to be eliminated from the playoffs. Although it wasn’t the result they were looking for, it was a win for the Stars to get into the playoffs as it was. 

“We had set a goal to get the team into the playoffs and that’s what we did. From there, we faced a really tough and deep Moose Jaw team. Although I thought we played well at times in the playoffs, they were a really good team,” said Stars head coach Martin Smith. 

Smith, who had a positive outlook on the season overall, was happy with the team’s grit in the final stretch of the season. “We were fighting for a playoff spot, and we had two third period comebacks, back-to-back nights to win. I just think that shows the character that we had on the team,” said Smith. “We were happy to finish seventh, get into the playoffs and make a turn in a positive direction for the franchise.” 

Onto the next level: 

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The Stars are graduating nine players, as they all look to advance to the junior hockey level. 

Stars graduating players, their affiliated SJHL teams if applicable and thoughts from Smith: 

#5 – RD Lane Keyowski (34GP-1G-7A-8P). “Lane is a good all-around defenceman that uses his size very well to go along with his smooth skating and puck moving abilities.” 

#7 – RW Chance Regush (37GP-13G-19A-32P). “The dressing room won’t be the same without Reggie. He kept everyone laughing. Chance liked to get under the skin of opponents and that’s when he was at his best scoring timely goals.” 

#10 – LW Corbin Niemen (41GP-9A-11A-20P). “Corbin has speed and skill and is a lead by example player who has aspirations of furthering his hockey career.” 

#11 – C Kaden Sperle (35GP-4G-8A-12P). “Kaden was a gritty two-way hockey player that was used for power play, penalty kill and was one of the top face off guys on the team.” 

#19 – LD Lukamus Lehman (44GP-9A-22A-31P), Battlefords North Stars. “Luko was the team captain and played with an edge. If you went into battle with Luko, you knew it was more like a war. Luko is a good all-around defenceman who played all situations while enjoying his best offensive season” 

#20 – RD Millar Kramer (44GP-4G-11A-15P), Battlefords North Stars. “Reliable defenceman used his strong skating and physical abilities to shut down the other team’s top players.” 

#22 – LW Kobi Weber (44GP-8A-7A-15P), Kindersley Klippers. “Mr versatility moving back and forth from defence to forward always gave you 110 per cent no matter where he played. His speed and physicality caused havoc for opponents. Kobi who is also a standout in baseball hopes to go on to post-secondary education in the future while furthering his baseball and hockey careers.” 

#26 – F Ashton Harty (40GP-1G-5A-6P). “Ashton was a walk on who earned a spot on the team with his physical play in exhibition season which continued throughout the regular season. Opponents knew when Ashton was on the ice.” 

#35 – G Luke Norman (25GP-.879SV%-3.78GAA-1SO), Estevan Bruins. “Luke is a very good technical goalie who uses his large frame to challenge shooters. Luke is that player who helps out any way he can. The ultimate teammate.” 

Smith was sure to express his gratitude for all the effort the graduating players have put in for his team. “I want to thank them as they move on and wish them luck as they try to continue their hockey careers. I think they all have an excellent opportunity to be able to crack a Junior A lineup.” 

(Image Credit: Mandy Lehman)

Returning players 

While the Stars will have their fair share of new talent on the roster, they also look to have a good amount of their top end players return to the squad, including two of the three players who were on their top line in Nash Coquet and Jaxon Brabant.  

As well as Brabant and Coquet, Smith pointed out Noah Larre and Graydon Neumeier as players that could make a significant impact with his squad, though he knows Neumeier isn’t a guarantee to return as he could potentially make his way onto the Kindersley Klippers roster. 

With Luke Norman moving on, the Stars will look to right-catching Cody Marciniuk as their starting goaltender. During the season, Marciniuk had a .905 save percentage and 3.15 goals against average. 

In total, the Stars have 11 players who are eligible to return in next year’s campaign. 

Next season’s expectations 

As the Stars turn the page towards next season, Smith has made his hopes and expectations clear. “We’re not looking just to make the playoffs next year. We want to make a good run and we’re building for that. I think the culture is set.” 

The next task for Smith and the Stars comes on April 17-19 when the team hosts their spring camp. 

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com