North Stars coach, Brayden Klimosko was named Coach of the Year, while captain Ryland McNinch received Most Sportsmanlike Player. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

North Stars Shine

North Stars’ Klimosko, McNinch recognized with SJHL Awards

Apr 20, 2022 | 2:13 PM

A pair of Battlefords North Stars have been recognized with league year-end awards as head coach Brayden Klimosko has been named SJHL Coach of the Year, and captain Ryland McNinch, Most Sportsmanlike Player.

Brayden Klimosko, Coach of the Year

For Klimosko, this marks his second straight year receiving Coach of the Year honours after sharing the award during the 2020 season with La Ronge’s Kevin Kaminski.

Joining rarified air, Klimosko becomes just the second coach of the last decade to win the award multiple times, joining former Nipawin bench-boss and three-time winner, Doug Johnson who was also the last back-to-back recipient in 2017 and 2018.

It was a milestone year for Klimosko, who also eclipsed the 100-win plateau for his head coaching career in January, taking just 153 games to do so. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

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Klimosko called the award something special that reflects the hard work of many within the organization.

“It obviously feels really good, and I think it just really shows what kind of group we had overall – players, staff and everyone – this really bodes well for the whole team,” he said. “It’s not just me, but it’s a good team award and everyone came to the rink and put the work in every day and we had success because of it.”

Klimosko led the North Stars to a fourth-place finish and home ice in the first round of the post-season, with a 25-17-6 record this year, all while having one of the youngest rosters in the league. The Battlefords’ 16 rookies were tied with eight-seeded Notre Dame for the most first-year players of any playoff team.

Ryland McNinch, Most Sportsmanlike Player

While Klimosko was pulling the strings behind the bench, captain Ryland McNinch was having a career-year on the ice while also setting an example for the team’s young contingent both on the ice and off.

McNinch provided team leadership in many ways, from his play on the ice to his sportsmanship interacting with opposition players. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Last year’s Community Ambassador for the team, McNinch now adds a Most Sportsmanlike award to his resume for his gentlemanly play, despite his hard-nosed game between the whistles.

“It’s a great award to win and it’s a huge honour for me,” the captain said. “I’ve just got to thank the coaches this year and my teammates, for helping me out to have a successful year and win an award like that.”

McNinch established career-highs across the board this season, with 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points in 52 games, before adding another six points in six games in the postseason. He will graduate to the post-secondary ranks next year with the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings of the ACAC.

In other league awards news, Humboldt goaltender Rayce Ramsay was named Top Goaltender, Most Valuable Player and Player of the Year; Humboldt forward Connor McGrath was named Top Forward, Rookie of the Year and won the Scoring Title; and Flin Flon’s Xavier Lapointe was named Top Defenceman.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1