With five picks through the first four rounds comprised of 2006-born players, and four picks through two rounds of 2007-born players, North Stars head coach and general manager, Brayden Klimosko said the team was happy with the talent they were able to acquire.
“We feel really good about today,” Klimosko said. “We got a good mix of the way we want to play as a fast and physical team, and we’ve got guys who think the game well, some puck movers on the backend, and some defensive guys. So I think overall it’s a well-rounded draft for us and a good group moving forward.”
First round, #12 overall ’06 Draft: Dayne Henry
A Prince Albert product who played last year with the U18 Battlefords AAA Stars, Henry said he was happy to be selected by the North Stars and is looking forward to the opportunity ahead to join the team in the coming years.
“It feels amazing to be selected by them,” Henry said with a smile. “Their organization is very well-run and especially from my brother’s experience, and I’m super excited to stay in North Battleford and play.”
Henry (5-8 tall, 183 lb) scored five goals and nine points, adding 50 penalty minutes in 42 games of U18 AAA play last year, as a 15-year-old from the defense position.
Third round, #31 overall ’06 Draft: Carson Olsen
With their next pick, the team selected defenceman Carson Olsen (5-8 tall, 134 lb) of the Warman Wildcats, 31st overall. A 16-year-old from Warman, Olsen scored three goals, and 19 points in 31 games last year in his first season of U18 AAA.
Third round, #33 overall ’06 Draft: Owen Dyck
Another 16-year-old blue liner from the area, Borden’s Owen Dyck – like Henry – is no stranger to the Battlefords community, having played on the U18 AAA Stars last season. In 35 games in his first year with the team, Dyck (5-9, 154 lb) picked up two goals and six points and added 18 penalty minutes in 35 games.
Fifth round, #57 overall ’06 Draft: Bryce Boughen
The first forward selected by the team on the day, Moose Jaw’s Bryce Boughen (5-8, 130lb) scored 30 points in 36 games last season with the Prairie Hockey Academy’s U16 prep team.
Sixth round, #69 overall ’06 Draft: Lukas Borne
Another standout with the Prairie Hockey Academy, Regina’s Lukas Borne (5-9, 170lb) played with the program’s U17 prep team, scoring 11 goals and 20 points in 28 games last season.
Seventh round, first overall ’07 Draft: Jace Rask
The first overall selection of the ’07-born rounds, Jace Rask (5-10, 161 lb) scored 27 goals and 59 points in 31 games with the Saskatoon Stallions U15 AA team last year, before being called up to the U18 AA Riverkings. There he scored a goal and added four penalty minutes in four games as a 14-year-old.
First round, ninth overall ’07 Draft: Linken Fisher
Another local player, Spiritwood’s Linken Fisher played last season in the Battlefords, patrolling the blue line with the U15 AA North West Stars, scoring 18 goals and 36 points, with 30 penalty minutes in 31 games.
Second round, #13 overall ’07 Draft: Kaleb Dewar
Still yet to turn 15 until later this month, forward Kaleb Dewar (5-2, 106 lb) was the Stars’ third selection from the Prairie Hockey Academy, suiting up last year with the U15 prep team. There the Lanigan, Sask., product registered three goals and eight points in 27 games.
Second round, #21 overall ’07 Draft: Keegan Nash
Defenceman, Keegan Nash (5-7, 123 lb) scored 25 points with 38 penalty minutes in 38 games last year with the West Central Wheat Kings U15 AA team. The Eston product then followed it up with another goal and three points in four playoff games.
“It was an exciting day,” North Stars head scout, Wylie Riendeau said. “We’re really happy with how things went and are looking forward to seeing these kids develop on their AAA teams in the coming years; it looks like a bright future ahead.”
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