The Battlefords North Stars sit in 2nd place in the Nutrien Division heading into the Christmas break. (Byron Hildebrand Photography/Facebook)

By Ryan Lambert

North Stars first half recap

Battlefords North Stars in a good spot heading into the second half of the season

Dec 19, 2025 | 12:48 PM

After the Battlefords North Stars game vs the Humboldt Broncos game on Dec. 16 was postponed, it was solidified that the North Stars would head into the Christmas break with a record of 15-8-2-2 in 2nd in the Nutrien Division.

North Stars head coach Connor Logan likes the spot that the team is in, but knows that the hard part of the season is still ahead of them.

“Overall, I think a lot of highs. [We] know we can contend with anyone but in order to truly call yourself an elite contender in this league, it’s how you come out of the break. How your roster forms,” said Logan. “Obviously, there’s a lot that goes into it too with injuries and consistency. We’d like to think we’re in an alright spot, maybe not as high up the standings as we want to be heading into the Christmas break, but I think, you know, playing some decent hockey as of late.”

With a first-year head coach in Logan and just 11 returning players as the beginning of the year, three of which have since departed, there were a lot of moving pieces causing the North Stars to face some adversity at the beginning of the season.

They started the year 2-3 falling to Kindersley, Melfort and Humboldt, including two shutout losses.

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“We went through some lumps and faced some different adversities, which are good, I think. If you’re looking at it from the long game, I think those are important to go through as a group…for them to recognize if you’re going to be an elite contender, it’s an everyday thing. There’s no nights off,” said Logan.

So far in the season, the North Stars have made three acquisitions. They’ve gotten forwards Alessio Nardelli and Owen Nelson, as well as goaltender Steele Bass.

Nardelli and Nelson have fit in nicely in the North Stars forward core and have found ways to immediately contribute.

“You bring guys like Nardelli in who are experienced 20-year-olds that have a really good vibe on them. It affects the room in a really positive way. I think bringing him in was big. Then Owen Nelson, I think those are two positive moves that we made. Both guys that help us on the ice in the room, both have a really good impact on the people around them.”

Anthony Campbell and Alessio Nardelli Celebrate after a goal vs the Estevan Bruins. (Byron Hildebrand Photography/Facebook)

The third acquisition, Bass has really solidified the goalie depth along with Kaeden Serpa. From October to December, the North Stars played a 15-game stretch alternating between the two goaltenders.

In that time, the team allowed just 2.4 goals per game, winning nine of 15 games including a stretch with eight wins in ten games. Bass had a .934 save percentage, while Serpa had a .919 save percentage solidifying the goalie depth.

Logan described the decision-making process for who to start as a “stress relief”.

“I can sleep a little bit better at night, not having to make hard decisions in that regard…I think it probably confuses teams when we win a game with Serpa and then undoubtedly, we go to Bass the next night and he wins it, I think it has a really positive effect on our group,” said Logan. “Our team thinks so highly of Kaeden and Steeler and what they can do for us and their ability to both win big games. That’s been the biggest outcome of having two elite players is, there’s full confidence in both goalies in any night.”

Steele Bass has a .924 save percentage in nine games with the North Stars this season. (Byron Hildebrand Photography/Facebook)

Kaeden Serpa has a .914 save percentage in 17 games with the North Stars this season. (Byron Hildebrand Photography/Facebook)

Not only has goalie depth been crucial to the team, but skater depth as well. The North Stars have 12 players with double-digit points, which is the fourth-highest in the league. They say they pride themselves on being able to roll out anybody and rely on them to make an impact.

“All four lines have to believe that they can influence the game and dictate how the game is played. At the start of the year, there’s a tendency to lean on the 20s and other guys don’t feel as much responsibility…I think over the last stretch, we’ve really found it where everybody believes that they can be a difference maker,” said Logan.

Another strength for the North Stars has been the special teams, specifically their penalty kill which is among the best in the league. However Logan doesn’t take any credit for that, and gives it all to North Stars assistant coach Owen Lamb.

“He’s done such a good job…some of the adjustments that Owen make pre-game, during the game, it’s fantastic and it’s allowed us to use our kill to generate.” The North Stars penalty kill has an 84.3 per cent success rate, the third highest in the league and an SJHL-leading seven shorthanded goals.

Leading the way for the team in goals is one of the top rookies in the league, Finlay Klippenstein who has 16 goals, which is #1 across rookies in the league. His 1 point per game is also #1 among active rookies. Team captain Anthony Campbell leads the team in points with 27 (9g, 18a). Josh Knittig is just one point back with 26 (8g, 18a), and Gavin Granger is in third with 25 (5g, 20a).

Finlay Klippenstein has scored in 12 of the 24 games he has played in the first half of the season. (Byron Hildebrand Photography/Facebook)

While the team has been playing well, Logan understands that the first handful of games after the break will be some of the most crucial of the season.

“There’s a challenge, you have to accept it. You can’t shy away from the uncomfortableness. There’s going to be big moments, tight games. Elite players find a way to come up big in those moments. So you need to have that if you’re going to get into the playoffs and if you’re going to have success.”

The North Stars will continue the second half of their season on New Years Eve when they host the Kindersley Klippers.

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com