Logan Cunningham, pictured here in his first practice with the North Stars, will make his debut with the team Tuesday night against Notre Dame. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

New goalie in town

Cunningham brings size, athleticism to North Stars’ crease

Dec 11, 2023 | 2:55 PM

The Battlefords North Stars recently added a new face between the pipes, with the acquisition of goaltender, Logan Cunningham from the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

At 18 years of age, Cunningham joins the North Stars with already 40 games of Major Junior experience under his belt, over the last four seasons split between the Victoria Royals and Edmonton Oil Kings.

Head coach and general manager of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko said the team jumped at the opportunity to bring in the 6-2 puck-stopper, as soon as they received word from Oil Kings’ G.M., Kirt Hill he might be available on a loan basis for the year.

“Kirt gave me a call last Sunday saying they might be re-assigning him, and we put on the full-court press to get him here,” Klimosko said. “They wanted to get him some games and we can do that, especially with [Justen] Maric away, so it’s a good opportunity for him and a good opportunity for us; and Edmonton is only three-and-a-half hours away if he ever needed to go up there for a bit so I think he’ll be a good addition.”

Logan Cunningham and Jackson Allan chat during a brief pause in the action at practice Monday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

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A roommate of North Stars’ leading scorer Kian Bell earlier this year while Bell was with the Oil Kings, Cunningham joins a North Stars team featuring a familiar face, and winning expectations – two key elements in his decision to come to town.

“I had a couple of offers and I thought the Battlefords was the best fit,” Cunningham said. “It seems like a really fun group, really tight-knit, and it seems like they know how to have a good time but also how to dial it in when it comes time. I’m just really excited to be here, for the opportunity, and if I’m here for the whole year I’m excited [to be part of] a team that can win a championship.”

As for what fans can expect from his game, the product of Sherwood Park, Alta., referred to his style as “a bit old-school,” with an emphasis on using his athleticism to take away scoring chances.

With the acquisition of Cunningham, the North Stars will be moving out goaltender Joey Hawco to stay under the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s 25-man roster limit.

Cunningham is expected to make his North Stars debut Tuesday night when the Notre Dame Hounds come to North Battleford for the second meeting of the season series between the two Nutrien Division teams.

Tuesday’s NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Broadcast will be available on 1050 CJNB with the Ultra Print Pregame Show at 7 p.m. and puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1