The North Stars selected to participate in this year's SJHL/MJHL Showcase, pictured Top Row L-R: Carson Olsen, Alex Izyk, Rylan Williams, Brayden Sinclair. Bottom row L-R: Tanner Gold, Kian Bell, Brad Blake, Ben Portner. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

North Stars Standouts

Eight North Stars named to SJHL/MJHL Showcase

Jan 16, 2024 | 4:12 PM

Eight members of the Battlefords North Stars have been selected to make the trip to Winnipeg at the end of the month, to represent their team and province at the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League/Manitoba Junior Hockey League Showcase.

Taking place Jan. 30-31 at Winnipeg’s Seven Oaks Sportsplex, the SJHL/MJHL joint-showcase has been an annual tradition since 2018, which sees both leagues comprise three rosters of top players – including two U20 ‘Veteran Teams’ and one U18 ‘Young Guns’ roster. Having the two provinces faceoff in one centralized location brings in scouts from various levels of post-secondary, semi-pro, and pro levels of hockey.

North Stars’ forwards Kian Bell, Ben Portner and Brad Blake, and defencemen Tanner Gold and Alex Izyk make up the five Battlefords’ representatives on the SJHL’s Team 1, which will also be coached by Stars’ bench boss, Brayden Klimosko.

For Gold, this will mark the North Stars’ captain’s second year representing the team at the event, something he said always makes for a special opportunity.

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“It means a lot being selected, and [the fact] that we had eight guys selected just shows the kind of talent we have here on this club,” Gold said. “It’s an awesome experience, and they treat you well down there in Winnipeg.”

First-year standouts, Rylan Williams, Brayden Sinclair, and Carson Olsen will also represent the Battlefords, on the SJHL’s U18 Team, comprised of the best players born in 2005 or later.

Sinclair, who currently sits fourth in SJHL rookie scoring with 27 points (12 goals, 15 assists) in 29 games, said he’s looking forward to being a part of this year’s event.

“It’s an honour, and it’s really neat to be able to go with some teammates as well,” Sinclair said. “My linemates and teammates have helped me get there, and I’m super pumped. I’ve heard it’s going to be a really good experience.”

Klimosko, who will be joined by Melfort Mustangs’ coach Trevor Blevins behind the bench for the fourth time at the event (also in ‘19, ‘20, and ’23), also caught up with battlefordsNOW, to talk about the SJHL’s roster announcement and the North Stars’ players named to the teams.

“You always feel honoured to be recognized with something like that, but really, it’s the players that get you there,” Klimosko said of his own involvement. “There’s eight of them [from our team] for a reason and all eight deserve to be there and are a big part of why we are where we are in the standings, so it’s nice to see them earn that accomplishment and get rewarded for their play so far this season.”

The North Stars’ eight representatives are the third most of any SJHL team, trailing only Humboldt’s league-high 11, and Flin Flon’s 10. Melfort and Nipawin feature six players each, Kindersley and Weyburn have four apiece, Estevan has three, and each of Melville, Yorkton, La Ronge and Notre Dame have two apiece.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1