North Stars celebrate regular season as playoffs loom

With 44 points (7G-37A) and stellar play on the blue line, Gavin Granger was named the team’s MVP.

“Nothing short of unbelievable. Really one of the marquee defencemen in the CJHL to be honest with you,” said Head Coach Connor Logan.

“He’s got the size, the skill, the ability to play on both sides of the puck. I think he’s single-handedly, won us games…He’s got an Alex Pietrangelo kind of esque to him in terms of his ability to log minutes, log hard minutes, come up big.”

While talking about winning the team’s MVP award, Granger gave credit to Linken Fisher and his teammates.

“Big thanks to my teammates for helping me with that. It’s a pretty cool honor to be recognized for that,” said Granger. “(Fisher)’s unbelievable and I think he’s the best defenseman in the league and he’s only 18 years old. So, it makes it super easy when you’re playing with him.”

Defenceman of the Year & Fan’s Choice – Linken Fisher

Linken Fisher received the Defence of the Year and Fan’s Choice awards. (Image Credit: Isabel Smith)

The only player to win multiple awards for the North Stars was Linken Fisher who took home the Fan’s Choice award as well as the team Defenceman of the Year.

“I wanted the Fan’s Choice Award the most out of all of them. I’m pretty happy with that. I love hearing kids yell my name in the hallways. That’s just what I kind of play hockey for,” said Fisher, who was taken by surprise when receiving the Defenceman of the Year nod.

“There’s a lot of good D-men on the team, so I wasn’t expecting to get it. I thought Gavin (Granger) was. He’s an unreal player, and it obviously helps getting to play along his side all year in the last two years.”

Logan said Fisher is a “serious performer.”

“He cares about how he plays. He cares about his game. Very dynamic. He can make so much happen. I think at 18 years old to have 47 points (10G-37A) and be second in defensive scoring, I think it’s incredible.”

Most Dedicated Player – Josh Knittig

Josh Knittig was named the Most Dedicated Player. (Image Credit: Isabel Smith)

To be successful at a high level of any sport, it takes true dedication on and off the playing surface. For the North Stars, Knittig embodied that the most. Knittig’s hard work led him to finishing just one point behind the team lead with 56 points (20G-36A) in 53 games.

“He’s a hardworking, honest kid. Wants to see things done the right way, leads by example. You’ll never question his effort,” said Logan. “He’s here on time every day and it’s (had) a positive impact on our team. I think he’s really embraced being an elite player, and he’s shown the younger guys how to be elite players.”

Off the ice, Knittig has shown dedication to his fitness and translating that towards his on-ice product.

“Me and (Granger) have been hitting the gym quite a bit this year, so been in some pretty good shape. I started going for some runs with (Woytiuk) and (Zacharias) and it’s been helping.”

Knittig also made sure to note his teammates help towards him winning the award.

“Couldn’t thank my linemates more. Being there every day, kind of just pushing me to be the person I am today and being the most skilled player I can be.”

Top Scorer – Anthony Campbell

Anthony Campbell received the top scorer award. (Image Credit: Isabel Smith)

Sharing a line with Knittig, Anthony Campbell was the team’s top scorer with 57 points (22G-35A) in 51 games this season.

While Campbell said it’s an honor to achieve that, he said the award represents more than just his own effort.

“It’s mostly from the team. We scored (third) in goals. We have (12) guys over 30 points,” said Campbell.

“It just shows how much we’re good offensively, and I’ve got to give credit to my linemate, Josh, too. He was the reason why we both had this many points and why we have success this year.”

Logan wasn’t incredibly surprised to see Campbell as the top scorer on the team, especially playing with Knittig.

“He’s just a guy you can really rely on, highly skilled. He came back off a suspension, immediately finds the back of the net. There’s no shock that he won the top scorer,” Logan said. “Anytime we’ve tried to balance the lines out and look for different looks, we typically end up coming back to those two and they play off each other really well.”

Rookie of the Year – Finlay Klippenstein

Finlay Klippenstein was the North Stars’ Rookie of the Year. (Image Credit: Isabel Smith)

Klippenstein led the team in goals as a rookie with 26 goals, adding 14 assists for a 40-point season.

“I’m proud of myself and happy with my year. I just also thank my teammates who helped me through this great year,” said Klippenstein.

“We’re a super close, tight team. I’ve felt at home (since) I got out here. Got some good linemates throughout the year too, who have helped me a lot and Connor as well in believing in me.”

Logan recalled some specific moments during Klippenstein’s campaign.

“When you think about being a difference maker in the big games. You think about the hat trick four point night against Flin Flon and some of the games that he had against Humboldt earlier in the year,” Logan said. “He came up big in some big moments, and he’s a guy that I think is going to have a very similar effect here in the playoffs, and how do you argue with 26 goals?”

Coach’s Award – Cole Hines

(Image Credit: Isabel Smith)

The Coach’s award goes to a player who makes a significant impression on the coaching staff.

Logan had an interesting story about recipient Cole Hines at their camp in Martensville before the season.

“(Owen Lamb and I) were both at separate ends and we met up in the middle and Owen goes, this little blue helmet kid hasn’t missed a shot at my end. We switched ends and I watched and lo and behold, this kid just kept sniping at that camp and had a good showing, and you could tell he was a kid that really cared about the game.”

Hines said Logan and Lamb are great to work with as coaches.

“They’re super good on the ice. They know what they’re talking about. They give lots of opportunities to guys and they’re super patient,” said Hines. “They’re super transparent and they’ll tell you what you need to know. If you’re screwing up or doing good, they’ll tell you, so you always like to have coaches like that.”

Hines was the only North Stars player to play in all 56 games this season, scoring 22 points (10G-12A).

Most Improved Player(s) – Kaleb Dewar & Easton Woytiuk

Kaleb Dewar and Easton Woytiuk received the Most Improved Player award. (Image Credit: Isabel Smith)

Kaleb Dewar and Easton Woytiuk were ultimately selected as the co-winners of the Most Improved Player award.

In 52 games played throughout the season, Dewar had 28 points (14G-14A). As the year went on, Dewar made more of an impact with and away from the puck and proved himself to be a dangerous player in the SJHL.

“I think just throughout the year, improving a lot and just building my game off the year and coming into Junior, I think you look to improve a lot and to be recognized for that, it’s really cool,” said Dewar, who received high praise from Logan as well.

“He’s just proved that he can handle the workload, the skill and come in and thrive. It speaks to his production this year as a rookie, near that 30-point mark. He’s an elite player (and) he’s only going to continue to grow and he’s a great kid off the ice as well.”

While Woytiuk played in just 13 games this year and was held scoreless in his campaign, the 17-year-old made an impact on the ice every time he was out there.

“I think the biggest thing is just taking advantage of all the reps I get in practice, making sure I’m going 100 per cent,” said Woytiuk.

“To watch the player that he is today versus where he was when he got here, I think it’s a complete, profound experience. They’re two different players. You wouldn’t even know that it was the same player,” added Logan. “He holds on to pucks. His speed, his physicality. There’s an offensive component to his game that we know is going to flourish as he grows. He’s just become an elite contributor to our lineups.”

Woytiuk and Dewar both played for the Warman Wildcats AAA team last season, so it means a lot for both players to win the award together.

“We were the only ones that knew each other here, I think that played together in years before that were new to the team.” said Dewar. “It’s a pretty cool moment for both of us,” added Woytiuk.

Humanitarian Award – Eric Marks

Eric Marks received the Humanitarian Award. (Image Credit: Isabel Smith)

The Humanitarian Award was selected for the player who made a great impact within the community. This year, North Stars rookie Eric Marks was selected. Marks has volunteered with various organizations throughout the Battlefords including:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Battlefords

• Battlefords District Food & Resource Centre

• BGC Battlefords (Boys & Girls Club)

• Battlefords Family Resource Centre

• Battlefords Immigration Resource Centre

• Bready Elementary School

Growing up in Cayley, AB, Marks said it was important for him to leave a mark on any place he goes to.

“I come here from a small little town to a bigger city, just trying to make an impact everywhere I go. Being able to give back to the community just means everything,” said Marks.

Coach Logan described Marks as a “genuine human being.”

“Very personable, very beloved in our locker room and quickly beloved in the community for the work that he’s done. Just the effect that he has on the people around him. Just a hardworking, nose to the ground, humble kid. So deserving of an award like that.”

After having the opportunity to celebrate the success of these players and the rest of the team through the regular season, the North Stars are back to preparing for the Melfort Mustangs, who they will face in Game 1 of the playoffs on March 20.

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com

by Ryan Lambert

North Stars celebrate regular season as playoffs loom

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