Pictured left to right: Jake Southgate, Zane Florence and Tanner Klimpke walked the stage this week in cap and gown to celebrate their high school graduation from NBCHS. (Submitted photos)

By Martin Martinson

A Special Milestone

North Stars’ graduates reflect on high school experience

Jul 2, 2021 | 3:49 PM

It was a big week for three members of the Battlefords North Stars, as forwards Jake Southgate and Tanner Klimpke, and defenceman Zane Florence, celebrated their Grade 12 graduation from North Battleford Comprehensive High School (NBCHS).

For Southgate and Florence, who grew up together in the Battlefords community, their high school journey was spent alongside one another, as part of the first class of Grade 7s to make the jump to the local high school, six years ago.

Jake Southgate

Southgate said it was something special to be able to share the high school experience together with Florence, which included a mirrored advancement outside the classroom last year, from the Sask. AAA hockey ranks to the North Stars for the fall of 2020.

“[Florence] is one of my best friends, so it’s been awesome to share that whole experience with him,” Southgate said. “He’s someone you can talk to, someone you can relate to who’s going through the same thing, so it’s pretty special having someone like that alongside you.”

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North Stars forward, Jake Southgate pictured here in action for the team and on graduation day. (L: Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff), (R: Facebook/Battlefords North Stars)

The 18-year-old added that being able to spend his high school years in the community he grew up in, while at the same time pursuing his hockey dream has meant a lot to himself and his family.

“The Battlefords is a great community, so it’s pretty special,” Southgate said. “I don’t know if graduating has really hit me yet, but it’s an exciting time to move on to the next chapter in my life, focus on hockey now and see what happens this season.”

Southgate intends on focusing on his hockey career the next two years with the Stars, with the hope of earning a Division I scholarship to a school in the States.

Zane Florence

Much like his teammate and former classmate Southgate, Florence was involved with a number of school sports teams during his time at NBCHS, including the football and badminton teams.

Looking back to reflect on his own experience, Florence said the big thing that stands out is the speed with which the years flew by.

“It’s pretty crazy how it all happens so fast,” Florence said of his experience. “It’s fun to go through all the high school years with your friends you started elementary school with doing sports and playing hockey, then to be there with them on the day you graduate, that’s been really cool too.”

North Stars defenceman, Zane Florence pictured here in action for the team and on graduation day. (L: Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff), (R: Facebook/North Stars)

“One thing I’ll remember most is going to play a hockey game and then having all the people from school come to watch,” Florence said. “I remember when we won [the Sask. AA championship] in 2019 with the Barons – we had like half that building filled with kids from our school, and just to have all those people from school there come and watch and show that support, that was really special.”

Florence said he is looking forward to rejoining the Stars this fall, and intends to continue to pursue hockey opportunities at the post-secondary level following his junior career, with an interest in the Education field as well.

Tanner Klimpke

Klimpke, who is a Calgary, AB. product originally, attended NBCHS virtually for just his senior year, after beginning his high school journey back home at Calgary’s All Saints High School.

The online option gave the 18-year-old an opportunity to finish his Grade 12 year with the local school, even once moving back home around Christmas, due to the postponement (and eventual cancelation) of the SJHL season.

North Stars forward, Tanner Klimpke pictured here in action for the team and on graduation day. (L: Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff), (R: Submitted photo/Tanner Klimpke)

Klimpke said while he really enjoyed his time in high school, he’s looking forward to the next chapter in life, which begins again this fall with a return to the Stars.

“It feels good to be done high school, and is a huge weight lifted off the shoulders,” Klimpke said. “I’m super excited to take the next steps in my life, while at the same time I’ll definitely miss the memories and all the friends made in high school.”

“It’s really an honour to be able to play for the North Stars, and something lots of kids dream about,” he continued. “So to be able to play hockey at a high level and balance school as well [was] awesome.”

Klimpke said he does plan to attend post-secondary schooling at some point in the future.

All three of Southgate, Florence, and Klimpke will be returning to the North Stars this fall. The 2021-22 SJHL season is expected to begin the weekend of Sept. 24, with further scheduling details to be announced in the coming weeks.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1