By Martin Martinson

Solid core ensures competitive team for North Stars

Aug 13, 2018 | 2:00 PM

Fans of the Battlefords North Stars can expect a lot of new faces when the 2018-19 season kicks off next month.

From new coaching staff, led by new general manager and head coach Brayden Klimosko, to a handful of roster turnovers, the shuffle in personnel means a new opportunity for some and an expanded opportunity for others.

Layne Young, reigning SJHL MVP and Player of the Year, has spent the last three-plus years with the North Stars, finishing top-two in team scoring all three of those years, including finishing first among all SJHL players last season. He has now graduated from the junior hockey ranks and will be suiting up for the University of Saskatchewan come the fall. Young marks just one of last season’s top scorers who are gone this year, but despite the inevitable player changes that come on a year-to-year basis in Junior hockey, Klimosko said he’s extremely confident the North Stars’ strong core will ensure a competitive team in September.

Offensively, MacGregor Sinclair returns. Sinclar finished second in team scoring last year and is coming off a 74-point season, including 33 goals in just 55 games. Klimosko said he was very pleased to hear about Sinclair’s return.

“I think that’s one of the first phone calls you make is to Mac, to see that he’s coming back,” Klimosko said. “He’s a very determined kid and with him getting a scholarship already I think he’ll definitely be someone we’ll be leaning heavily towards for scoring.”

Fond Memories

North Stars' 20-year-olds reflect on junior hockey experience: Part 2

11h ago

Fond Memories

North Stars' 20-year-olds reflect on junior hockey experience: Part 1

Apr 18, 2024

Trades in Sask.

Skilled trades need not limited to building homes

Apr 17, 2024

In addition to Sinclair, standout rookie Matthias Urbanski will also look to build on a stellar year. Last season saw him total 42 points in 54 games, including 20 goals, good for second best among all first-year players. Klimosko said Urbanski is another player who should only continue to get better with more ice time and added responsibility, a task he already seems to be embracing.

“He’s even coming out for the hockey school that is in late August here,” Klimosko said. “He’s put on some muscle, and I think he’s really looking forward to the expanded role that he is going to be getting himself into.”

On the blue line, Klimosko spoke very highly of returning veteran defenseman Cody Spagrud, a player he remembers well as a top defender on the opposition from his time spent coaching in Humboldt.

“He’s been a thorn in my side in Humboldt for a couple years before I left for Drumheller,” Klimosko said. “It’s amazing that someone like himself is still in this league, and obviously he’s one of the elite players, I think he’s, if not the best defenseman, he’s right up there.”

The North Stars will play their regular season-opener at home on September 14 against the Kindersley Klippers.

martin.martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1