The Battlefords AAA Stars announced recently their roster for the 2020-21 season. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Stars Hockey

AAA Stars name roster following early fall camp

Aug 27, 2020 | 3:21 PM

The Battlefords AAA Stars announced their official 20-man roster this week, in preparation for the upcoming 2020-21 hockey season.

The announcement comes after the team held its annual fall camp a bit earlier than usual over the weekend, due to lingering uncertainties regarding when the U18 hockey season may begin.

For head coach of the Stars, Dale Grayston, camp served as his first insight into many of the players who would go on to make the team.

The experienced bench-boss will be entering his first season at the helm for the local AAA club, and camp was the first time the team has been able to come together on the ice since he was brought aboard, due to the previous COVID-19 rink restrictions.

Grayston said he likes the mix of veteran experience and youthful exuberance exhibited throughout the roster. He said above all else, this year’s team will be a determined bunch, with an emphasis on bringing their work boots to the rink on a nightly basis.

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“I wouldn’t say we’re going to be extremely fast, but we do have some very fast guys and we have some guys who will play heavy, so we have a nice kind of mixture,” Grayston said. “That said, I think our work ethic will really be clear to everyone from the outset on. We have a very hard working group of players here.”

Eight players from last year’s roster will be returning to the team this season, including veteran forwards, Mason Bueckert, Eston Ediger, Kyle Heintz, and Matthew Henry. Also returning will be defencemen, Payton Kostyshyn, Liam Mcinnis, Liam Rodman and goaltender Jackson Fellner.

Providing additional experience at the U18 level will be Kobie Anderson, who spent last season with the Saskatoon Blazers; Daitan Dmytriw, formerly of the Yorkton Maulers; and Nathan Flodell who joins the team from Beardy’s.

Grayston said the experience of the older players will be a key element to team success this season, as the roster will also feature 11 rookies this year.

“I think we’ve got a really strong base with the 11 vets to create a competitive team,” Grayston said. “I think it’s a good mixture and that we’ll have really good leadership out of the veteran group.”

Among the first-year players for the Stars this season, will be forwards, Rocsyn Bird, Jordan Grill, Caley Lehouillier, Ryan Lepitzki, Zane Normand, and Rylan Williams, who should help to provide additional offensive spark as a group. Defencemen, Nate Monchuk and Ryan Taylor will solidify the team’s backend, while goalie, Rhett Harkot will look to make an impact between the pipes.

There remains no tentative dates in place for when the AAA season may begin, but Grayston said the team is chomping at the bit to get started, and will be more than ready to go when the season does commence.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1