Former Battlefords Midget Star and North Star, Justin Waskewitch of Cut Knife is back in his home part of the province for his final year of junior hockey.
Friday, Waskewitch was acquired by the North Stars from the Nipawin Hawks. Before making the deal for Waskewitch, the North Stars traded prospects with the Notre Dame Hounds. The North Stars acquired Maxim Powiada for the rights to Keegan Milligan.
The North Stars then packaged Powiada's rights and rookie forward Carter Danczak to Nipawin to acquire Waskewitch.
It is believed that Waskewitch had been interesting in returning to the North Stars' organization and the 511? 180-pound forward is expected to help bolster the North Stars' lineup. Last season, Waskewitch led the Nipawin Hawks with 51 points in 47 games. Wasketwitch played 25 games with the North Stars during the 2009-10 season and had five goals and two assists during that span of 25 games.
After playing 137 games in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, split among the North Stars, Estevan and Nipawin, he has notched 34 goals and 64 assists.
"Justin is a highly skilled player in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League," explained Kevin Hasselberg on the North Stars website. "He was a pivotal player for the Hawks in the games we played against them last season, and will add depth to our forward position."
Danczak is in his rookie season and after two games he was credited with one assist and also had one assist in his lone game last season as an affiliated player. The North Battleford product led the Midget Stars last season in points.
"We felt a change for Carter would enhance his opportunities to develop," said Hasselberg. "This is a trade in which both teams acquire players that will help each program and one which will benefit the players being moved."
Powiada is a defenceman who has played four games with the Midget Stars this season acquiring one assist. He played in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League with the Prince Albert Mintos last season.
