North Stars K.T. Walters (top left), Zane Florence (top right), Jake Southgate (bottom left) and Ryland McNinch (bottom right) have led the way, submitting their best goals and celebrations to kick off the contest. (Facebook/Battlefords North Stars)

By Martin Martinson

Dangle, Snipe, Celly

North Stars/community showcase hockey skills through newest challenge

Jan 28, 2021 | 5:56 PM

Hockey may be on hold for the time being, but that hasn’t stopped a number of Battlefords North Stars from playing the game they love on the outdoor or community rink.

The North Stars have partnered with All out Graphics and Design to invite hockey players around the community to send in a video of their best ‘Dangle, Snipe, [and] Celly’ in which players are encouraged to showcase their own creative puck handling moves to score, and then celebrate in a unique fashion.

A number of North Stars have already taken the challenge, including forwards K.T. Walters, Ryland McNinch, and Jake Southgate, and defenceman Zane Florence.

Fans are also encouraged to take part ahead of the submission deadline, which has been bumped back to the end of next week. Winners will then be randomly selected with the chance to take home prizes. To enter, participants can tag the North Stars and All Out Graphics and Design Ltd., when they upload their videos to social media.

Both Walters and Florence said they have been skating often during the season pause, to stay sharp for a potential return to play.

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Walters, who elected for a dazzling display on his video submission, said he has a certain NHL player to thank for the inspiration for his move, targeting Maple Leafs’ star, Auston Matthews.

“I’ve seen Matthews do it before, and I like him a lot as a player, so he was definitely where I got the inspiration from for that one,” Walters said, adding that he has no plans to try to use anything quite that elaborate in an actual game scenario.

“I’ve done it a few times just skating around in warm-ups before we get into drills, but I’ve never really pulled it off in an actual game or anything like that… I think it’s more of a practice move,” he added with an audible wink.

Florence meanwhile, elected to go the more traditional route with his shot selection, wiring home a slap shot to the top corner of the net on his outdoor rink.

“I was really just sort of keeping it simple on that one,” Florence said with a laugh. “I don’t have the greatest hands, so [I figured] I’d just rip a shot on that one.”

Marketing manager with the North Stars, Jennifer Whyte, said the challenge is just the latest way the team is partnering with their sponsors to create new and fun ways to connect with fans during the hockey pause.

She said in addition to submitting their own videos, Battlefords Minor Hockey players in the community are also invited to head to the Access Communications Centre (Civic Centre) to sign the rink board left outside the team office, in the lobby area.

With multiple coloured sharpies available to choose from, minor hockey players can sign their name on the rink board, which will then be put on display next season.

“The focus behind [signing the rink board] is just to show that we appreciate the minor hockey kids in the community,” Whyte said. “We appreciate their perseverance through the [tough] hockey season we’ve been having, and look forward to hockey’s return.”

To view all the submissions for the North Stars’ latest challenge, find them on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1