A look at the off-ice part of a North Stars offseason

“Jersey ads, ice logos, wall banners, programs and community initiatives are what we are focused on this season.”

Two of those community initiatives include a partnership with McDonald’s for an event Aug. 30 and another with Innovation Federal Credit Union for the team’s first kids club.

Smith outlined what the community event will include.

“There’s going to be street hockey, you can meet Starsky, an autograph signing and special limited-edition hockey cards that are only in partnership with McDonald’s. The first 100 kids who attend get one.”

This season will also mark the debut of the kids club, which Smith said was important to launch.

“We thought that getting the kids more involved in the team, incorporating them more into our game nights and having something special for them so that they grow with the Stars and the organization is important.”

Along with sponsorships and programs, the North Stars have been bringing in new jerseys and off-ice equipment for players, including backpacks and polo shirts.

The new uniforms include sponsored practice jerseys, road jerseys and third jerseys.

A peak at the Battlefords North Stars home and away jerseys for the 2026-27 season. (Image Credit: Battlefords North Stars/Facebook)

“Owen Lamb had a heyday with it. Obviously, a Dallas Stars fan himself, he popped off the second we got the green light, started drafting some mock-ups, and we both threw some input into it. We got the players’ input as well,” North Stars head coach and general manager Connor Logan said.

Logan emphasized the importance of getting the players’ opinions on the new alternate jerseys.

“As much as Owen Lamb and I would love to prance around wearing the new jerseys, we’re not the ones actually wearing them. So, we got the players’ input, and I think they turned out really, really slick. We’re excited to see them done,” he said.

“They’re close to done, and then they’re in production. They’re nostalgic for the program because there was a time when they were worn as the regular jersey, but with our own twist on them.”

Another off-season project for the North Stars was acquiring new off-ice equipment.

“The backpacks for us were just a little necessity, maybe on the road when guys need to bring all the stuff that they need. We also don’t want guys representing anything other than the North Stars, so I think that’s part of it,” Logan said.

“You just want to provide the guys with enough of a total package of apparel. When they go on the road, when they’re out in public or just around the rink, that’s a total upgrade in professionalism, I think, is how I’d describe it.”

While the hockey off-season includes some downtime and training for players, much more happens behind the scenes than the average fan may realize.

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com

by Ryan Lambert

A look at the off-ice part of a North Stars offseason

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