North Stars L-R: Ryland McNinch, Michael Harroch, Riley Little. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Looking back fondly

North Stars 20-year-olds reflect on junior experience: Part 2

Mar 31, 2022 | 12:00 PM

With the conclusion of their hockey season, the Battlefords North Stars will say goodbye to another class of 20-year-olds, as seven players from this year’s roster will graduate from the junior ranks, taking with them memories and cherished moments that will last a lifetime.

The following is Part 2/2 of a series on battlefordsNOW, reflecting on the junior hockey careers of the seven North Stars’ 20-year-olds. Part 1 is available here.

#30 Michael Harroch

Michael Harroch wasted no time getting acquainted with his North Stars teammates, posting a 37-save shutout in his first game with the team after being acquired in mid-October.

Establishing himself amongst the league’s elite between the pipes, the North Vancouver product posted a 13-4-4 record, with a 2.82 goals against average and .925 save percentage in 24 games this year.

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Harroch called his junior hockey experience some of the best years of his life.

“It’s been an awesome experience, and been the time of my life the last three years,” Harroch said. “I couldn’t wish for anything better, as it’s been the experience of a lifetime and I’m so glad I rode it out till the end and hopefully have another [hockey] chapter ahead of me.”

“I can’t say I’ve been on a junior team like this where the comradery’s been so good and the boys have just been so tight in the room. The season was great and the boys were great, and it was lots of fun.” – Michael Harroch

In 45 career junior games split between the North Stars and Humboldt Broncos, Harroch was 20-11-9 with a 2.94 goals against average and .917 save percentage.

#22 Riley Little

After making his SJHL debut with the Weyburn Red Wings in a single-game stint during the 2017-18 season at just 17-year-old, Saskatoon’s Riley Little broke in full-time to the junior ranks the following season with the Wings, followed by a brief stop in Waywayseecappo of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League the following year. He was then acquired by the Stars to provide an invaluable veteran presence on the team’s blue line.

“My experience in junior was one fun time,” Little said looking back at the journey. “Three years I’ve been in Weyburn, Wayway and Battlefords and I can say Battlefords’ probably my favorite place. It’s nice being close to home and being able to have the family and friends come out and support you.”

“We had a really tight group here and everyone really got along well,” he added. “We’re all a band of brothers and that’s what I’ll take away; just the friendships, teammates and coaches, and life lessons learned.”

Little registered 11 points in 94 career junior games, split between the North Stars and Red Wings of the SJHL, and Waywayseecappo Wolverines.

#20 Ryland McNinch

The North Stars captain spent three seasons in the community with the team, located just an hour down the road from where he grew up in Turtleford.

McNinch, who was named captain at the start of the season and was also the team’s SJHL Community Ambassador last year, also made his presence felt on the ice, finishing the 2021-22 campaign fourth overall in team scoring with a career-high 17 goals and 42 points in 52 games.

McNinch said he couldn’t have asked for a better last three years, wearing the Stars’ crest.

“I had a really good time in the Battlefords and wouldn’t change a thing,” McNinch said. “Obviously it was a really fun first year as we had an awesome team, and it kind of [stunk] my second year got cut short, but it was an awesome year here again my third year and the Battlefords is second home to me now, so it was awesome.”

In 102 career junior games, all spent with the North Stars, McNinch posted 24 goals and 55 points and will continue his hockey career at the post-secondary level this fall with the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings of the ACAC.

Although the Stars’ graduating personnel will not return to the ice at the ACC next season, their contributions will leave a positive impact on their returning teammates, and the community for years to come.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1