One of the best Battlefords North Stars players in the past three seasons has left the Battlefords and is set for a new college hockey experience.
Kyle Birch, the 20-year-old goaltender, has committed to the Portage College Voyegeurs Men's Ice Hockey program.
"We're very happy to have Kyle play goal for us for the coming years," said Voyegeurs head coach Terry Ewasiuk in a statement released about the acquisition of Birch.
After playing three games in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors during the 2008-09 season, Birch, the Winnipeg, Man. native, found a home in the Battlefords and was a solid goaltender in the league for three seasons.
Birch played over 100 games in a North Stars uniform and was the 2010-11 playoff MVP and a big reason for the success of the North Stars' underdog playoff run two seasons ago.
In 31 games this season, Birch had a save percentage of .890 and a 3.98 goals against average with a 16-14-0-0 record. During the 2009-10 season, Birch's best as a North Star, he was 24-13-1-1 with two shutouts and a 3.56 goals against average and .894 save percentage.
"The North Stars would like to thank Kyle for his three years of service with the cluband wish him well as he begins his college career," said North Stars head coach and general manager Ken Pearson in a press release.
Birch intends to enroll in business and compete for ice time with the Voyegeurs, who play in Lac La Biche, Alta. in the Alberta Intercollegiate Hockey League.
