Stars’ blue liner, Matthew Fletcher has been a force for the Battlefords at both ends of the rink this season, earning the veteran league-wide recognition. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)
North Star shinning

North Stars’ captain Fletcher named SJHL Defenceman of the Month

Nov 4, 2019 | 6:33 PM

North Stars’ captain and blue line stalwart, Matthew Fletcher has been named SJHL Defenceman of the Month, becoming the first rearguard to collect the honour this season.

Fletcher’s two-way acumen has played a key role in his team’s dominance through the opening month and a half of the campaign, as the Stars sit atop the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) standings with a 19-1 record.

A large reason for the Stars success this season is do to their dominance at both ends of the ice, spearheaded by the captain at each end.

The Battlefords lead all SJHL clubs in goals scored (92) and goals-against (46) this year.

With all the firepower on the offensive side, it is impressive to note that it’s Fletcher who sits atop the team in scoring.

With 25 points in just 20 games, the Saskatoon product sits seventh in the league scoring race and first among blue liners this season.

Perhaps most impressive about his totals is the veteran’s personal growth offensively through the early part of the campaign.

Last year, Fletcher posted a career-high four goals, 25 points in 56 regular season games. Just past the one-third mark of the season this time around, the 20-year-old has already equaled his previous point mark, while having surpassed his goal total.

On a tear: Fletcher has collected a staggering eight points over his last four games played, including three-straight multi-goal performances heading into Tuesday night’s contest against Humboldt. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

While the offensive production is certainly worthy of attention, it remains a complementary piece to the defensive prowess that is the rearguard’s hallmark over his tenure in the Battlefords.

Each night Fletcher and his partner Seth Summers match up against the opposition’s best in a shutdown capacity. Together the tandem stymie dangerous offensive chances in their own zone, while creating magic with the puck at the other end of the rink.

In the words of Stars’ head coach Brayden Klimosko, Fletcher has proven himself a force for the team this season on a nightly basis.

“He’s just taken it upon himself to be that leader back there we need and want from our back end,” Klimosko said. “Give him all the credit in the world, he’s been doing it at both ends of the puck. He’s not doing it where he is all offensive; he has been good defensively [too] and he is not making many mistakes. We have been very fortunate so far to have a guy like that.”

Fletcher and his North Stars’ teammates will look to keep their hot start to the season rolling Tuesday night against the Humboldt Broncos at the Civic Centre. Tuesday’s game will be broadcast on 1050 CJNB, with the Ultra Print Pregame Show kicking off at 7:15 p.m. and puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m. on NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Hockey.

Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1

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