Battlefords North Stars set sights on national title at Centennial Cup

It’s been a successful hockey season in Saskatchewan this year, and it’s not over yet.

The Battlefords North Stars are off to the 2023 Centennial Cup in Portage la Prairie, Man. to compete for the national junior A hockey title for the first time in more than two decades.

The Stars last made it to the national tournament in 2000, but during this season, it almost seemed like a lock for them to get back to the national championship.

Battlefords went 48-5-2-1 during the regular season as the top team in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). The North Stars didn’t suffer their first regulation loss until Jan. 14, more than four months into the season.

While there may be high expectations going into the Centennial Cup, Stars head coach Brayden Klimosko said the team is going in focused on its own game and knowing that there are a lot of good teams in the tournament.

“I don’t know if it’s intimidating, but exciting,” Klimosko said. “Everyone’s at the same level here, and it’s exciting times as everyone’s competing for the same goal.”

The Stars could be a tournament favourite after being ranked in the top five teams nationally all season, including 11 straight weeks spent at No. 1.

Klimosko pointed towards the Brooks Bandits out of Alberta as the team to chase during the tournament.

“It’s nice to know that for a change we don’t have the biggest target. We’ve been kind of favourite in our league and whatever else. It’s kind of nice to be a bit of an underdog in that way,” Klimosko added.

The Stars should have enough scoring in order to push them far in the tournament.

The team had four players – Kian Bell, Jake Southgate, Holden Doell and Steven Kesslering – finish in the top four in the SJHL in scoring during the regular season and playoffs.

But Klimosko said they rely on everyone.

“I don’t think our bottom lines have gotten as much credit as they probably should. They might not score every night, but they’re good defensively and allow our big guns to score when they’re called up,” he said.

“We’re going to need all 20 guys every night to have a chance to win this.”

The North Stars will face the Kam River Fighting Walleye out of northern Ontario in their first game on Thursday.