The North Stars recent signings for '23-24 pictured L-R: Roper Blanchard, Andrew Casellato and Gavin Granger. (Submitted photos/Battlefords North Stars)

By Martin Martinson

Bright future ahead

North Stars announce trio of signings for ’23-24 season

Mar 2, 2023 | 3:25 PM

The Battlefords North Stars announced three player signings Thursday, for the fall of 2023.

Among them were forwards Roper Blanchard and Andrew Casellato, and defenceman Gavin Granger.

Roper Blanchard

Blanchard (’05) is a 6-foot, 162-pound forward from Prince Albert, who spent this season with his hometown P.A. Mintos U18 AAA team, where he’s scored seven goals and 21 points in 41 games.

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Head scout with the North Stars Wylie Riendeau said the Stars are getting a character player with skill and intangibles in Blanchard.

“He’s a big forward who plays physical, and he’s got some good skills as well,” Riendeau said. “I think he’s going to be a good penalty killer and guy to provide leadership. He wears a letter for the Mintos and wore a letter last year with Yorkton, so he’s going to be a good guy with high character and one we’re really happy to have in our lineup.”

Blanchard was a fifth-round draft choice by the Stars, #60 overall in the 2020 SJHL Bantam Draft.

Andrew Casellato

Casellato (’04) is a 6-foot-2, 187-pound product of Burnaby, BC., who has played this season with the North Vancouver Wolf Pack of the Pacific Junior Hockey League (PJHL). In 42 games, the forward has 18 goals and 61 points.

Riendeau said Casellato is a player the team has had their eye on for the last couple of years now.

“We first identified him when he was with the North East Chiefs out in Vancouver when they played in the Telus Cup, and we just kept in contact,” Riendeau said. “He decided he wanted to play closer to home this year and play some Junior B and gain some more confidence, and you can see by his point totals he’s a pretty skilled player.

“We’re excited to be able to add him to our lineup and hopefully he can provide some scoring for us up front. I think his biggest asset is his IQ, and the way he’s able to see the ice. He’s a really smart player with good size and I think he’s going to be a guy you could see on the power play potentially and play a big role that way.”

Casellato won a BCEHL U18 Championship with the Vancouver North East Chiefs during the 2021-22 season, scoring seven points in seven playoff games for the team on their way to the title.

Gavin Granger

Granger (’05) is the first new blue line commitment for the Stars for the fall, as a 5-foot-11, 181-pound defenceman from Saskatoon. Granger, who has a goal and seven points in 28 games with the Saskatoon Blazers this year, also has some experience donning the Stars’ black and silver already.

Granger played five games with the team in the regular season, and two more in the playoffs as an ‘AP’ (affiliated player) call-up by the Stars, registering his first career assist and 14 penalty minutes in his first taste of Junior hockey action.

Riendeau said Granger’s willingness to ‘get into the mix’ right from his first games with the team exemplifies the type of player he is.

“We’re really happy to be able to get Gavin; he’s a great kid, he’s a funny kid, and he brings a lot of energy to the room and to the ice,” Riendeau said.

“He’s got good skills and he’s not afraid to get involved as you can see by his games last year. He plays tough and I think we’re going to see him develop into a really good defenceman. He’s definitely one guy we really keyed in on last year and this year, and we’re really happy to have him sign with us.”

Granger was a fourth-round selection by the North Stars #45 overall in the 2020 SJHL Bantam Draft.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1