Captain Matthew Fletcher and goaltender Adam Dmyterko led the way for the Stars last week, as the team won three of their four games played in five nights. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Just getting started

Stars’ defenceman Fletcher, goalie Dmyterko honoured with league-wide recognition

Oct 8, 2019 | 3:11 PM

The Battlefords North Stars have come storming out of the gate this season to a 10-1 record through their opening 11 games.

One of the key ingredients to the team’s success is strong individual performances. Among those garnering recognition throughout the league for their outstanding play, are Stars’ captain Matthew Fletcher and goalie Adam Dmyterko.

Fletcher was named SJHL Defenceman of the Week for the second consecutive week, while Dmyterko took home Goaltender of the Week honours this time around as well.

Last season Fletcher was one of just three blue liners to earn Defenceman of the Week status consecutively in back-to-back weeks. He now enters the games ahead with a chance to become the first defender to take home the distinction in three-straight in over a year.

Matthew Fletcher has been a tower of strength on the back end for the Battlefords, and a key contributor at both ends of the ice for the team through the early going this season. (Tyler Marr/battlefordsNOW Staff)

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After recording an assist against Melville Wednesday, Fletcher capped his week with an additional two goals and three points Saturday, as the rearguard helped lead the Stars to a decisive 4-1 win over the Red Wings in Weyburn Saturday.

Perhaps most impressive, Fletcher’s performance Saturday came without his long-time defence partner, Seth Summers by his side, who missed the night’s action due to injury.

Fletcher, the consummate professional and teammate, said there are plenty of people who have played a part in both his and the team’s success through the early part of the season.

“The coach has given me lot of opportunities to get into those kinds of points in the game where I have the chance to [produce],” Fletcher said. “My defence partner Summers has also helped me, relying on a guy like that makes my game easier and it was the same when I played with [Liam Antoniuk Saturday] in Weyburn. It clicked well with us too, so the opportunities are making it a good year so far.”

On the season, Fletcher leads all blue liners in scoring with 12 points through his opening 11 games.

Between the pipes, goalie Adam Dmyterko was named Goaltender of the Week after backstopping the Stars to back-to-back victories over Estevan and Weyburn respectively through the weekend.

Against the Bruins Friday, Dmyterko stopped all 30 shots fired his way to earn his first career shutout in a 2-0 Stars win. The following night, the 19-year-old then nearly repeated the feat, allowing just a single tally on 24 shots against the Red Wings, as the Battlefords took the contest 4-1.

Through the two games, Dmyterko posted a league-high 0.50 goals-against average and .983 save percentage.

Stars’ goalie Adam Dmyterko has been earning tons of fist bumps through the early part of the season, playing lights out hockey between the pipes for the Stars. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Dmyterko’s performance this week has only improved the Saskatoon product’s already elite stat line through the early going this year.

The 19-year-old sits at or near the top of virtually every goaltending statistic with a perfect 7-0 record through his first seven games, along with a 1.86 goals-against average and .944 save percentage on the season.

The recognition of Fletcher and Dmyterko’s play comes just a week after Quintin Loon-Stewardson and Fletcher were honoured with Player of the Week and Defenceman of the Week honours.

Head Coach of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko said he is happy to see the players recognized for their performance through the early going.

“The recognition we’re getting for some of our guys is great to see, it is really well deserved,” Klimosko said. “They have had great summers and they are benefiting because of it. It is a great start and we want to keep it going. The more publicity we get the better for our guys and the better their chance to move on [and further their careers], so it is nice to see. Our goal is to have someone up there every week so hopefully we keep progressing in the right direction.”

In addition to the league-wide recognition, the team’s dominance has also garnered attention from around the country as well.

As of this week, the North Stars rank fifth overall in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) rankings.

Klimosko said while the ranking is nice to see, the team is only looking forward to what’s ahead with lots of season still to be played.

“It’s nice and it’s great and all, but it is a long season,” Klimosko said. “It is great to have a good start and obviously to get some recognition is always great, but I don’t think at the end of the year we really look at who’s ranked in September. While it’s great, we still know there is a lot of work to be done.”

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1