A look in from Saturday's Season Kickoff BBQ in North Battleford. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Fun in the Sun

North Stars announce roster at Season Kickoff BBQ

Sep 16, 2023 | 5:00 PM

The Battlefords North Stars held their Season Kickoff BBQ Saturday at Beaver Lions Stadium.

Featuring games and activities for the kids, and burgers and hotdogs for all, the afternoon concluded with the announcement of the team’s roster to start the 2023-24 season.

Here is the North Stars’ roster, listed by position in alphabetical order by last name:

Forwards:

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Jackson Allan (Davidson, SK)

Kobe Anderson (North Battleford, SK)

Matthew Biros (Coquitlam, BC)

Bradley Blake (Gander, NL)

Rooper Blanchard (Prince Albert, SK)

Andrew Casellato (Burnaby, BC)

Colton Getzlaff (Bottineau, ND, USA)

Riley Girod (Saskatoon, SK)

Jordan Grill (Battleford, SK)

Evan Lachimea (Thunder Bay, ON)

Marshall Light (Moosomin, SK)

Lleyton McLean (Rideau Ferry, ON)

Ben Portner (Lakeville, MN, USA)

Ashtyn Shields (Esterhazy, SK)

Bailey Shortall (Timberlea, NS)

Brayden Sinclair (Coquitlam, BC)

Owen Underhill (Blackville, NB)

Evan Waldie (Sherwood Park, AB)

Rylan Williams (Kyle, SK)

Defensemen:

Tanner Gold (Medicine Hat, AB)

Gavin Granger (Saskatoon, SK)

Alex Izyk (Blackie, AB)

Xavier Lacoste (Sainte-Julie, QC)

Faris Meddeb (Calgary, AB)

Carson Olsen (Warman, SK)

Easton Rask (Saskatoon, SK)

Brady Seabrook (Yellowknife, NT)

Goaltenders:

Cedric Cyr-Dauphinais (Beloeil, QC)

Joey Hawco (Halifax, NS)

Stars’ captain and third-year veteran, Tanner Gold spoke to battlefordsNOW following the event, and said it was great to see so many out supporting the team and taking part in the event.

“It was nice out here and a great day for it,” Gold said. “It’s beautiful out, and great seeing lots of familiar faces out that we see around the rink every year. It’s awesome seeing all the kids too as we know they look up to us all the time, so it puts a smile on our faces seeing them out here.”

From Plinko and and a hockey shooter-tutor to a fishing game and bouncy castles, there were all kinds of activities for the kids at Saturday’s Season Kickoff BBQ. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Following a bit of a whirlwind last week that saw the players move straight from fall camp into pre-season with three exhibition games in three nights, first-year forward, Evan Lachimea, said was nice to be able to relax a bit and meet some fans in the community.

“It’s nice to have a good day out, have the community out and see everyone supporting us and what we do,” he said. “It was definitely a quick turnaround from camp to pre-season, but with the roster announced now it’s fun to just be here with all the guys.

“The guys are great,” he continued. “The older guys have come in and they treated all of us rookies the same, have treated us nicely and showed us everything. It’s a great group of guys, and everyone’s pretty close already.”

The North Stars will play their final game of the pre-season Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. in La Ronge. The team will then have a week to rest up, practice, and prepare for their season opening home-and-home with Kindersley next weekend, Sept. 22 and 23.

The Stars will open the season on home ice Friday, before heading to Kindersley Saturday. Both games will be available on 1050 CJNB with pregame at 7 p.m., and puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1