After winning the Canalta Cup last season, the North Stars will be looking to repeat the feat and defend their title as league champions this season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

A New Chapter Begins

North Stars Fall Camp promises stiff competition for roster spots

Aug 27, 2019 | 2:27 PM

With pre-season just under a week away, it is a sign a new hockey campaign is quickly approaching.

The sound of goal horns and a cheering crowd has all but started to fill the minds of players soon to arrive at the Civic Centre, eager to make their case to don the North Stars’ crest.

The Battlefords North Stars are hosting their 2019 Fall Training Camp, Aug. 29 to Sept. 1, with the team’s Prospect Camp running parallel Aug. 30 to Sept. 1.

Main Camp

With as many as 13 players from last season’s Canalta Cup winning team expected to return to the North Stars this season, competition at this year’s camp should be intense.

Investigation

RCMP investigating death on Sweetgrass First Nation

12h ago

BDO Debt Solutions

The Financial Impact of Assisting Adult Children

Sep 21, 2024

Moose Kebab

Lost, found and full of flavour: Moose Kebab and Shawarma a new family tradition

Sep 19, 2024

About 70 hopefuls will try out for the limited spots available out of Main Camp.

Stars’ Head Coach and General Manager, Brayden Klimosko said competition can only be a positive thing for the team heading into the fall. He said there will be open opportunity for players to compete for roster positions.

“I have learned through my experience, that over the summer you can improve lots. [Players] can get a lot better and you want to reward the people who have,” he said.

Klimosko explained that even with the team’s extended playoff run there was still plenty of time with the better part of four months for players to train and improve over the off-season.

Prospect Camp

There will be an additional 25 to 30 players expected at the team’s Prospect Camp.

Heading into his second year with the team, Klimosko has proven already proven to be more than capable of fielding a competitive squad with young talent fulfilling prominent roles. Last season’s championship roster featured 12 rookies, one of the highest totals amongst playoff teams.

“It is important to have some youth,” Klimosko said. “An 18-year-old can grow so much from the start of the year to the end. They bring energy, and they bring excitement to not only inside the room, but amongst the fans.

“Everyone wants someone new, [and to see] who is going to be the next Cody Spagrud, who’s going to be the next MacGregor Sinclair, the next Owen Lamb? People are always looking for that,” he added.

New Faces

Forward Noah Wills is expected to be among the prospects at camp this year. A small, skilled player, the 2003-born Wills was acquired from the Weyburn Red Wings earlier this week.

—

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1