A look at the Battlefords North Stars defense heading into the 2026-27 season

“I think he’s the most elite defenceman in the league, if I’m being completely honest,” North Stars head coach and general manager Connor Logan said.

“Especially in the offensive sense, just his ability to produce something from nothing, attack defenders, really manipulate the way people move around him and try to defend him, I think it’s the best in the league.”

While the North Stars have high expectations, Logan knows Fisher does not put too much pressure on himself, which helps make him effective.

“He’s one of those guys who doesn’t put the expectations on himself. He just goes, is himself and naturally the game comes to him. He has his ups and downs like anybody else.”

Fisher also said he does not want to put too much weight on himself and recognizes the talent around him.

“There’s a lot of good defencemen here, so I wouldn’t really count myself as a number one. We have eight or nine good D-men who all have a role, can play their roles and are going to be effective,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what they can do out there, as well as myself. I’m going to try to push myself this year to the next level from last year. So that starts at practice and starts this weekend.”

Fisher is expected to begin the season on a defensive pairing with Will Kirwan. He said their chemistry began to build last season.

“We have a lot of fun out there and if he finds me, I find him. We have a weird connection. I don’t know how, but it started last year around Christmas time. We played those three games together and it continued into camp in that last preseason game and it’s fun playing with him.”

Local prospects

The North Stars have something they largely did not have last season: local talent.

Near the end of last season, defencemen and Battlefords products Lukamus Lehman and Millar Kramer joined the North Stars after their season ended. They are familiar with the team, but this will be their first season as full-fledged North Stars.

Logan said it is important for the two local rookies to have some familiarity with the squad after spending time with the team near the end of last season.

“They know the guys. There’s not any shock or adaptation process. They’re just very familiar with the room, the program, my practices and the guys, and so that’s a good thing,” he said.

“They’re great players who have earned their right to be here. As much as they’re local kids, they deserve the opportunity to play here regardless of where it says they’re from on our lineup sheet. We’re excited to see them grow as players and turn into elite defencemen for us.”

Left-handed-dominant group

The North Stars will have six left-handed defencemen compared with two right-handed blue-liners.

Though this could affect the blue line, Logan does not expect the imbalance to have a major impact.

“When you ask that in a general sense to coaches, there’s certainly a precedent or an issue with it. From my experience as a player, I was a left shot who was told to play the right wing in the Battlefords the year we won. I initially thought, ‘I don’t know how I’d feel picking up pucks.’ As time went on, I felt more comfortable on my off wing,” Logan said.

He also pointed to left-handed shots playing on the right side in the NHL.

“If you look at the league, Peter DeBoer said there’s a thought to play Matthew Schaefer on the right side. I think you just have to be comfortable in any situation. If you’re an elite player, it just doesn’t make any difference,” he said.

“Defensively, there wouldn’t be much of a difference. It’s just probably on breaking pucks out. Offensively, I think it’s better. They’re on their one-time side. So, I don’t think it’s a big issue. We’ll be funneling guys in and out. With eight D, there’s lots of competition.”

The North Stars’ defence corps will play its first game together Sept. 18 when the team hosts the Kindersley Klippers to open the season.

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com

by Ryan Lambert

A look at the Battlefords North Stars defense heading into the 2026-27 season

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