Just weeks after it was announced Martin Smith was hired as the Battlefords Midget Stars coach, the coaching staff and board turned their focus to recruiting players.

Smith announced last week the Stars have signed two local area players. The Stars signed Keifer Hintz, who was the captain of the Battlefords Bantam AA Barons last season. Hintz had 13 goals and 16 assists in 24 games with the Barons.

The 15-year-old forward also recorded eight points in five playoff games and was coached by Smith and his staff of Jody Reiter and Shawn Robinson last season.

The other player to sign was 16-year-old defenceman Braden Lacousiere, who played 20 games with the Unity Midget AA Lazers during the 2011-12 season. The Lazers won the Centre Four Hockey League championship last season while Lacousiere had eight points.

Lacoursiere played three games with the Stars last season. Hintz also played in three games and recorded one assist.