North Stars newest signings (L-R) Cole Hines, Austin Garrett, Will Kirwan and Sam Kirwan (Submitted Photo/Connor Logan).
87 days till puck drop

North Stars stay busy with offseason signings and draft picks

Jun 24, 2025 | 6:43 PM

With just 87 days left till the regular season home opener for the Battlefords North Stars against the Kindersley Klippers on September 19, the team is setting the foundation for a strong future with a productive offseason that has featured a slate of draft picks and key new signings.

Draft Day Highlights

With the 7th overall pick in the first round of the 2009 draft, the North Stars added to their blue line by selecting defenceman Joel Marceniuk from Saskatoon. Marceniuk played the bulk of last season with the U18 AA Saskatoon Riverkings, notching 3 goals and 11 assists in 32 games. This upcoming season, he has signed to play with the U18 AAA Saskatoon Contacts.

“We saw him at our camp and I just love how smooth he is,” said North Stars head coach and general manager, Connor Logan.

“He’s got junior hockey tangibles today, and we think that those are going to grow and develop. I think he’s a guy that’s not far off now and we have a really good defensive pipeline coming up, so we hope it continues to get stronger,” Logan added.

Selected as a first-round pick in the 2010 draft is forward Gage Cornish out of Meadow Lake. Cornish shined last season with the U15 AA North West Stars, tallying an impressive 48 points (13G, 35A) in 29 games. His speed and playmaking ability make him a standout forward prospect.

The team doubled down on offensive upside in the second round, selecting Kylan Woytiuk, a forward from Martensville, 19th overall. Woytiuk finished this oast season with the U15 AA Martensville Marauders registering 15 goals and 23 assists in 29 games.

“We were really impressed with Woytiuk and Cornish, both young guys, crafty players,. They both work hard and we can definitely see those guys being elite players for us in two or three years. We think that they are still at least a year or two away, but we just keep working with them and put that expectation in front of them,” said Logan.

Key Signings

In addition to the draft class, the North Stars announced several big signings, starting with Austin Garrett, a 2006-born defenceman from Ladysmith, BC. Garrett brings a strong blueline presence and joins the team from the Victoria Cougars (VIJHL), where he put up 38 points (16G, 22A) in 39 games.

“Last year in Victoria, I had a chance to develop his game. He’s just a dynamic defenseman and brings an offensive flair, he’s got a great shot, can find holes, really good on the power play. He also has a really strong two-way game, we’re really going to ask a lot of him,” said Logan.

Also signed was Cole Hines, a 2007-born forward out of Lloydminster, AB. Hines played for the Lloydminster Lancers in the Alberta E;ite Hockey League, recording 14 goals and 14 assists in 37 games. His consistency and effort turned heads at North Stars camp.

“Cole just stood out to me with his practice habits and how hard he works. I got a chance to see him in multiple different positions throughout camp, and I just felt like his game never wavered. A relentless kid, a great kid and an honest player with huge work ethic,” Logan said.

Rounding out the signings were Sam and Will Kirwan, twin brothers from Swift Current who each made strong impressions playing for the Swift Current Legionnaires in the SMAAAHL. Sam posted 38 points (16G, 22A), while Will, a playmaking d-man, led with 35 assists and 40 points over 44 games.

“The biggest thing is finding roles for guys and both players are so versatile. They both have so much opportunity to play in different roles with this group. I think their potential with our team is going to grow with every segment of the season,” said Logan.

With a combination of proven performers and high upside prospects, the North Stars are set to build not just for the coming season, but for sustained success in the years ahead. As the development of these young players continues, Logan believes the organization’s culture and vision will lead to a competitive and exciting future.

Annual General Meeting

The North Stars also held their Annual General Meeting this week to discuss the club’s future, finances and elect new board members.

From June 2024 to May 2025, the organization made a gross profit of $578,559.31 with expenses of $619,146.62, making for a loss of $40,587.31.

Some of the organization’s biggest expenses came from equipment costs of $107,031.31, team travel cost of $99,229.72 and generic and administrations costs of $232,400.29.

Where the organization made the most money was in gate admission, board sign advertising and season ticket sales. Gate admission brought is $95,951.25, board sign advertising $76,200 and season ticket sales $53,650.17.

North Stars treasurer Tyler Beatch said that this year’s loss was largely in part due to the crop rotation through the team’s agriculture project. The agriculture project made $44,153.08 through wheat crops this past year. With canola seeds in the ground for this year, a higher profit yield is expected.

Apart from finances, there were four board member positions up for running as well. After recommendations and a vote took place, Crystal Whiteford, Carolyn Andres, Dale Jackson and Darren McIntyre were all elected to fill the positions.

Austin.mattes@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @AustinMattes

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