Meet the new faces guarding the crease for North Stars this season

“Hasn’t really had an opportunity to be the guy and be a starter. There are definitely mentality shifts that need to take place for him to develop and feel at his best as a guy that’s going to be leaned on a lot,” he said.

“We’ve seen that growth from him through camp and the preseason, so we’re excited for him to get the tread under his tires and start rolling and really feeling comfortable.”

After training camp and the preseason, Claydon said he is feeling good heading into this year.

“Lot of returning guys coming back. Good competition, good amount of vets that are going to help lead the group. Good group of guys coming back. Looking forward to it,” Claydon said.

“Everybody is super awesome, a good culture. We’re all here ready to compete. We just want to make each other better and win as many games as possible.”

The North Stars netminder has some SJHL experience from the 2024-25 season, when he appeared in games with the Nipawin Hawks and Kindersley Klippers. That experience gives Claydon some familiarity with the league’s style of play.

“I’m used to some of the players I’ve played against. What the league brings with the physicality and a lot of grit, a lot of push. What I’m looking forward to is being able to start as many games and bring what I had to the table in my last couple of years and bring it towards this team.”

Claydon described himself as a goaltender who tries to stay calm and composed in the crease.

“Make the saves look as easy as possible, make those hard ones look easy and really help the team out. Whether it be making big saves or breaking the puck out, playing the puck, just really trying to make everybody’s life as easy as possible.”

Also patrolling the crease for the North Stars this season is Chase Kettles, who recently signed a WHL scholarship and development agreement with the Prince Albert Raiders and was assigned to the North Stars.

“First couple weeks have been good,” said Kettles. “Came in, played a game, got to know the boys quick and been getting to know them better every day. It’s been good. We’ll have some team hangouts, and it’s really easy to talk to the guys.”

The six-foot-three goaltender said he has a hybrid style.

“I like butterfly style, and if I need to, I can block shots with my shoulders because I’m big enough.”

Affiliated with the Raiders, Kettles is looking to develop and reach the next level, but his focus is on helping the North Stars as much as he can.

“The Raiders wanted me in a place where I can develop and they brought me here. So, helping them develop here and hopefully bring home the championship.”

Logan also understands what is in store for Kettles as the season progresses.

“There’s going to be a development process for him where he has to compete and learn the junior hockey game. Get comfortable getting an identity for himself as a goaltender and then try to clean up the things that are maybe deficiencies heading into his WHL career.”

So far, Logan has liked what he has seen in the goaltending competition through camp and the preseason.

“Chase has done a great job so far adapting and competing at practice. And he had a look there against Warman, so it was good,” he said.

“Clades has done nothing but get better and better and better as things have gone along here. Both guys are going to push for the crease, which is good. It’s a healthy competition.”

The North Stars open their season with a pair of home games. They host the Kindersley Klippers on Sept. 18 and the Nipawin Hawks on Sept. 19.

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ryan.lambert@pattisonmedia.com

by Ryan Lambert

Meet the new faces guarding the crease for North Stars this season

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