The anticipation is over and now all that is left is to start the regular Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season.
The Battlefords North Stars held their annual kickoff breakfast Thursday morning at the Civic Centre, which was used to introduce some familiar faces and the new members of the program: coach and general manager Kevin Hasselberg, play-by-play man Mike Feeney, office manager Jillian Miller, and the 2011-12 roster.
The one thing echoed as a focus for this team from Hasselberg's perspective is that this isn't just a hockey team in the SJHL, but an organization in the community. The Battlefords should be proud of the team and what it represents and the players should embrace that and be proud to be a part of the Battlefords.
The roster provides a good mix of local, out of province and even out of country talent as the 25 players introduced each other a day before the season gets started.
Assistant coach Blair Atcheynum made the announcement and first introduction of defenceman Travis Sparrow who will be the new team captain.
"It means a lot to be the captain of a team like this," said Sparrow after learning of the announcement. "It is an honour to be recognized as a leader of this team and in this community. It is great."
Joining Sparrow (91) on defence will be returning players Zach MacLellan (92) and Woody Klassen (91), along with Grayden Turner (92) and Dillon Forbes (93), who both played some playoff games with the North Stars last season.
The other new defencemen are Beau Ferbey (92), Tyson Arnholtz (93) and Nick Rogers (93).
The forward group includes returning forwards - Blake Tatchell (91), Brett Miller (91), Boyd Wakelin (91), Kyle Hall (92), Tanner Schwab (92), Tim Rollins (92), Braeden Johnson (92) and Robbie Newton (93). The rookies and new players are: Sam Prpich (91), Connor Allison (92), Jared Samborski (93), Jesse Gerbig (93), Tanner Quinn (93) and Ryne Keller (94).
The North Stars will begin the season with three goalies on the roster, which includes returning goalie Graham Hildebrand (91), Jared Knott (92) and Connor Creech (92).
The North Stars have a total of eight players considered to be homegrown, as they are either from the Battlefords or have played with the Battlefords Midget Stars. That list includes Tatchell, Miller, Schwab, Wakelin, Gerbig, Forbes, Samborski and Keller.
Allison is an import from the U.S., as he hails from Oregon and the rest come from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta and B.C.
The coaches are ready, the players are ready and soon it will be time to drop the puck on the season something everyone is looking forward to after a quick pre-season.
"You have to look at our team, we are going to come out with a lot of jump and a lot of spunk - Kevin really drove that into us this week," said Sparrow. "There will be a lot of hard forechecking and we are going to be a team that works real hard."
Earlier in the week Hasselberg commented on how the word battle is right in the name of the town and city and that is what he hopes to see on the ice from his team throughout the season - the will to battle with any team and hard work.
The North Stars play Friday night in their home opener against Kindersley and will return to play the second game of a home-and-home in Kindersley Saturday night.
Next the North Stars will play Melfort Wednesday and La Ronge Saturday, Sept. 24, both at home.
With four of six games at home in September it is a prime opportunity for this Battlefords North Stars team to build up some momentum and prove they can be contenders in the Bauer Conference.
Let's get it started.
