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Checking in on AAA Stars alumni

When defenceman Luke Reid announced his commitment to the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks men’s hockey program earlier this month, it was another feather in the cap for the Battlefords AAA Stars organization.

When defenceman Luke Reid announced his commitment to the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks men’s hockey program earlier this month, it was another feather in the cap for the Battlefords AAA Stars organization.

Although it’s rare to see a player as young as Reid commit to one of the best teams in college hockey while playing in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League, it speaks volumes about the Stars program and what they’ve been able to do over the last few years.

In lieu of Reid’s commitment, here’s a look down memory lane with the AAA Stars as we check in with some of the players who are now plying their trade elsewhere.

Kenzie Arnold (2015-16 – 17 points) – After one year with the Stars, Arnold is now in his rookie season with the SJHL’s Nipawin Hawks, where he has four points in 31 games.

He’s also getting the chance to play alongside his older brother Brandan, who was reassigned to the Hawks after two seasons with the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos.

Dawson Bacon (2013-16 – 40 points) – Bacon was a steady force on the blueline for the Stars for three seasons, and is now playing out of the province.

After starting his junior career with the Lloydminster Bobcats of the AJHL, he’s now suiting up for the MJHL’s Dauphin Kings.

Tyler Baier (2014-15 – 20 points) – Baier has made a few trips to the Civic Centre in recent years, as he’s now in his second season with the Yorkton Terriers.

After putting up 29 points in 56 games a year ago, he has 17 points in his sophomore campaign.

Spencer Bast (2012-15 – 139 points) – After an impressive Midget AAA career, Bast is now playing in the Western Hockey League.

He had 23 points over the course of two seasons with the Kamloops Blazers before he was traded to the Moose Jaw Warriors earlier this month.

Josh Bly (2012-14 – 105 points) – Following stints with the BCHL’s West Kelowna Warriors and the Kindersley Klippers of the SJHL, Bly is having a career year in his final Junior A campaign.

After averaging a point per game in 29 contests for the Klippers, he was traded to the Nipawin Hawks in December and has 17 points in 14 games for his new team to put him in a tie for eighth in SJHL scoring.

Tanner Brewster (2015-16 – 30 points) – After starting his junior career with the Lloydminster Bobcats, Brewster was traded to the La Ronge Ice Wolves earlier this year and has three goals in 27 games.

Braydon Buziak (2014-15 – 18 points) – Following a season with the Battlefords North Stars, Buziak was able to crack the roster for the WHL’s Regina Pats this year.

He has nine points in 29 games for the Pats, who are considered to be one of the favourites to win the Memorial Cup.

Colby Cave (2009-11 – 72 points) – The former captain of the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos now finds himself in another leadership role as he’s the assistant captain for the Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League.

After putting up 29 points last year, Cave has 20 points in 39 games during his second season with the Boston Bruins’ organization.

Ashton Clark (2011-13 – 34 points) – A year after winning the SJHL title with the Melfort Mustangs, Clark is now taking to the ice in the MJHL.

After putting up 12 points in 11 games with the Portage Terriers, he was dealt to the Dauphin Kings and is second in team scoring with 29 points.

Kaleb Dahlgren (2013-15 – 64 points) – Dalhgren is in his second season with the Notre Dame Hounds, where he has put up 29 points in 88 career SJHL games.

Jordan Fransoo (2008-09 – five points) - The former WHL blueliner is now in his third season with the Saskatchewan Huskies.

He has six points in 16 games this season for the Huskies, who are once again one of the top teams in U Sports.

Derek Frater (2014-15 – 15 points) – In his second season with the La Ronge Ice Wolves, Frater’s 18 points is the most by any player on the team after Jared Blaquiere and Tristen Elder were traded earlier this year.

Troy Gerein (2012-15 – 60 points) – The Wilkie product is having a solid sophomore season for the Battlefords North Stars, as he has 18 points in 40 games.

Ben Hiltz (2015-16 – 23 points) – After starting the 2016-17 season with the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels, Hiltz is now playing for his hometown Weyburn Red Wings and has five points in 31 games.

Kaelan Holt (2014-15 – 49 points) – Following a 27-point campaign last year, Holt is having a breakout season for the SJHL’s Estevan Bruins, as he has 37 points in 38 games.

Casey Knight (2009-10 – 34 points) – The St. Walburg native is in his senior season with the Toronto Varsity Blues, and seems set to achieve a new career high in points after scoring two goals and picking up four assists in 17 games this season.

Michael Korol (2013-14 – 12 points) – Korol has spent the last three seasons with the SJHL’s Humboldt Broncos and has 19 points in 28 games this year.

Braden Lacoursiere (2012-13 – 21 points) – After starting his SJHL career with the North Stars, the Unity defenceman has spent the last three seasons with the Flin Flon Bombers.

He’s currently enjoying his best year to date with the Bombers as he’s put up 20 points in 38 games.

Josh Laframboise (2013-14 – 61 points) – The 2014 SMAAAHL most valuable player award winner has spent the last three seasons in the BCHL.

After suiting up for the Penticton Vees and Salmon Arm Silverbacks, Laframboise is now with the Trail Smoke Eaters and has 44 points in 40 games.

Owen Lamb (2014-15 – 58 points) – Lamb has made the jump to the SJHL with his hometown North Stars this season and has 12 points in 35 games.

Brandon Lesko (2013-15 – 80 points) – Following a 26-point rookie campaign, Lesko is fifth in scoring for the Flin Flon Bombers this season with 32 points in 33 games.

The Hafford native also got the chance to play for Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge in Bonnyvile, Alta. in December.

Connor Manegre (2013-15 – eight points) – After playing for the Grand Forks Border Bruins in B.C., Manegre has become a strong physical prescence for the North Stars and has six points in 31 games.

Logan Nachtegaele (2013-14 – 10 points) – The North Battleford native is an assistant captain for the North Stars in his third season with his hometown team and has set a career high in points this year with 12 points in 30 games.

His cousin Jayden Nachtegaele has also played for the North Stars this year and is currently suiting up for the Saskatoon Quakers.

Zach Nedelec (2011-12 – six points) – After playing with the Saskatoon Contacts for a season and spending the last three years with the La Ronge Ice Wolves, Nedelec returned to North Battleford earlier this month in a trade that saw him and fellow Edam product Jared Blaquiere join the North Stars.

Alex Pernitsky (2013-14 – 25 points) – Following a trip to the RBC Cup final last year with the AJHL’s Lloydminster Bobcats, the Unity defenceman is in his freshman campaign with the Colorado College.

He’s played in 13 games this season and is still looking to get his first collegiate point.

Nicholas Riemer (2013-14 – eight points) – Riemer is in his third season with the Nipawin Hawks and is on pace to set a career-high in points as he already has 13 points in 37 games.

Kyle Salaway (2014-15 – 45 points) – After averaging a little over a point per game with the Stars, Salaway has spent the last two years with the Virden Oil Capitals of the MJHL.

He has 24 points in 43 games this season. 

Blake Tatchell (2008-09 – 51 points) – The 2012 SJHL most valuable player award winner had a stellar four-year collegiate career for the Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves, where he had 103 points in 142 games.

He’s now in his first professional season with the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder, where he has eight points in 25 games.

Rylan Toth (2012-14 – 19 wins) – Following two seasons in goal for the Stars, Toth made the jump to the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels and he helped the team reach the Memorial Cup semifinals as tournament hosts last year.

He’s now the starting netminder for the Seattle Thunderbirds and has a 20-14-0 record with a 2.77 goals against average in his final season of junior hockey.

Brock Weston (2011-12 – 14 points) – The Maidstone native wrapped up his junior career on a winning note last season as he won the MJHL championship as a member of the Portage Terriers.

He’s now playing south of the border for Marian University, where he has one point in 12 games.

Blake Young (2010-12 – 60 points) – In his third season with the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, Young scored his first career college goal in October during a season-opening win over the Michigan Tech Huskies.

Layne Young (2013-15 – 92 points) – Since moving up to the North Stars, Young has become one of the most feared offensive players in the SJHL.

After winning the rookie of the year award last year, Young is currently tied for second in league scoring this year with 51 points in 38 games.