Trades, additions and subtractions are a way of life for a junior hockey team. Few players have an opportunity to play their entire junior career for one team, but still there are a few who have passed through the Battlefords and now are looking forward to the new chapters in their hockey careers.
Recently three players who previously wore the North Stars' sweater have committed to hockey programs for the 2011-12 season.
Richard Cameron, a speedy forward from North Battleford, played three seasons in the SJHL, one with the North Stars, as well as stops in La Ronge and Notre Dame.
Cameron committed to Portage College in Lac La Biche, Alta. Cameron had just three assists in 53 games with the North Stars during the 2007-08 season, but saw his production increase each season since. In 2009-10 in La Ronge, Cameron was part of the SJHL and Anavet Cup championship team. He notched eight goals and 11 assists in 52 regular season games.
This past season, Cameron split time between La Ronge and Notre Dame and finished the season with 17 goals and 11 assists in 52 games.
Cameron will join North Star graduates Cody Folstad and Kyle Birch in Lac La Biche.
Also committing to a hockey program next season is Ryan Andersen. The Estevan Bruins announced this week Andersen, the left-winger from Wainwright, Alta., has committed to playing at York University in Ontario.
Andersen was recruited and signed with the North Stars in 2008 and as a rookie scored three goals and six assists in 30 games. Jan. 10, 2010, he was traded to Estevan as a key part of a deal that brought Chad Filteau and Kyle Hall to the Battlefords.
Andersen went on to score 11 goals the next season with Estevan and this season he was tied for 14th in the SJHL in goals with 27 in 56 games.
Josh Daley came to the Battlefords in 2009 and had an impressive first season with 23 goals and 27 assists in 55 games.
Daley began the 2010-11 season in the Battlefords, but was traded in October to Dauphin, Man. for Keith Grondin. After 32 games, Daley was traded to the Waywayseecappo Wolverines, also in the MJHL and played the final 20 games of the season. Daley recorded 31 goals and 16 assists in 52 games in the MJHL this season and months ago committed to Penn State University and plans to play Division I hockey.
Daley, a Pittsburgh, Pa, native will have the opportunity to return home and play for the Icers, who will play one more season in the American Collegiate Hockey Association before transforming into an NCAA Div. I team in 2012-13.
