North Stars trade for forward Michiel Leenders from Beaver Valley Nitehawks

Leenders said the trade caught him off guard, but he is excited to join the North Stars organization.

“I’m feeling really good about it. It kind of came out of nowhere, and [I] did a little bit of thinking on it and I couldn’t be happier with it.”

While Leenders hasn’t played in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League yet, he still has a history with the North Stars and is familiar with the organization.

“I’ve played them in the preseason before, a couple of seasons ago. I’ve always known the role they’ve had in the SJ. They’ve always been a big-impact team there,” he said.

“I got a bunch of buddies that have played there too. I’ve heard nothing but good things that come from there.”

One person Leenders knows on the North Stars is Eric Marks, and Leenders said it will be nice to play with Marks again.

“I haven’t seen him in a minute. It’ll be good to see him again and kind of build that chemistry back again with him. He’s a great player, a great guy. I love to be around him at the rink.”

Logan said he talked to Marks about the possibility of trading for Leenders, and Marks also had good things to say about his former teammate.

“We have that ongoing model, not for everyone. We have a unique locker room that has a lot of personalities. So we try to really filter character to make sure that we’re putting the right guys in there,” said Logan.

“If he’s got the Eric Marks seal of approval, I think it’s a good thing.”

When asked to describe himself as a player, Leenders said he is a “fast playmaker.”

“I like to have the puck a lot, but I’m definitely a pass-first type of guy. I’ve been working a lot of my game on 200 feet. But I’d definitely like to be in the offensive zone more. Pretty much a fast two-way playmaker is how I’d describe myself.”

While the SJHL can be a step up in competition from the KIJHL, Leenders is ready to embrace the challenge.

“I’m looking forward to just playing the best hockey I can. I think going there is going to definitely be better for me. I want to get better and I want to win with the North Stars,” he said.

“I’ve heard it’s a great group of guys and I’m just want to get better and win, pretty much the two big things.”

Leenders joins Marks, Cole Hines and Drew Williamson as the fourth current North Stars player from Alberta.

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com

by Ryan Lambert

North Stars trade for forward Michiel Leenders from Beaver Valley Nitehawks

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