L-R: Edam 3 Stars Coach of the Year, Martin Smith and Wilkie Outlaws League MVP and Scoring Champ, Brock Harrison. (submitted photo/Brock Harrison)

By Martin Martinson

Senior Hockey Hardware

North Stars alums shine with SWHL Awards

Feb 8, 2023 | 4:02 PM

The Sask West Hockey League recently announced their award winners for the 2022-23 hockey season, with a number of former Battlefords North Stars taking centre stage.

Top scorer, MVP, and most gentlemanly player Brock Harrison, and top defenceman Derek Keller of the Wilkie Outlaws, as well as coach of the year Martin Smith of the Edam 3 Stars, are each North Stars’ alums.

Brock Harrison – Top scorer, MVP, most gentlemanly

For Harrison, a North Battleford product who played two seasons with the North Stars from 2001-2003, this marks his first SWHL MVP award, and second straight scoring title with 50 points (21 goals, 29 assists) in 14 games. It’s also the third time in the last four years he has been given the most gentlemanly player distinction (’23, ’22, ’19).

True to his team-first nature, Harrison was quick to shine a light on his teammates when asked about the key to his standout success this season.

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“I had a new linemate this year that had pretty high credentials [in Ryan Keller], so it was definitely nice to play with him on my line as a guy that’s played some NHL games, and it makes things a bit easier when you’re on the ice with someone of that calibre,” Harrison said. He added the midseason returns of Rick Cey and Mike Sittler also provided the team with a wealth of firepower throughout the lineup.

“Mike was our previous captain until he retired last year, and Rick also wasn’t going to play this year then came back, so having those two guys back just makes our team a lot deeper,” he said.

On the most gentlemanly award, Harrison, who will turn 41 later this year, said he has his years of experience to thank for mellowing him out a bit as time has gone along.

“I’m getting a bit up there in age, so I know most of the players,” he said with a laugh. “I think when you’re a little bit younger in the league you try to still kind of play like you did in junior, but I’m getting to the age now where I’m out there to have some fun. Obviously I want to win, but you get to know a lot of the guys so you’re visiting a bit more and chatting because you know people and know their families, so being a bit older helps with that.”

Derek Keller – Top Defenceman

Harrison’s teammate with the Outlaws, Wilkie hometown blue liner Derek Keller, played two seasons with the North Stars from 2004-06, and is also no stranger to taking home SWHL Hardware. This marks Keller’s seventh consecutive season taking home the title of top defenceman, building on his already league-record total.

Keller, who is currently in his ninth season as player/coach with the Outlaws, was again gracious in accepting the recognition.

“I know the teams do vote on [the awards], so for me personally, it is a pretty big honour that they continue to vote me as the top defenceman even as I am getting older,” Keller said. “Every year I think this could be the year the streak ends as there are so many good, young defencemen coming up, but I was lucky enough to receive the award again and just really humbled and grateful my peers voted that way.”

Martin Smith – Coach of the Year

For Edam’s Martin Smith, who played parts of five seasons with the North Stars from ’87-92 and remains the franchise’s all-time scoring leader, this marks his third straight season as coach of the year with Edam.

Smith, whose coaching resume also includes back-to-back Coach of the Year awards with the Battlefords AAA Stars, as well as a brief stint as an assistant coach with the North Stars during the early 2000s, said he’s happy to still be involved in the game in a meaningful way within the senior ranks.

“It’s really special, and to be able to coach with my hometown and be involved with the senior team is tremendous,” Smith said. “Growing up, there was only one [NHL] hockey game a week, so your hockey heroes were the senior hockey players, and we have such a great group of players that I’m very fortunate.”

Smith said with a wealth of players on the Edam roster who have played junior, semi-pro, NCAA, or CIS (University), their experience competing at a high level and dedication to the game allows him to coach at an advanced level as well.

“I can change systems on the fly and the players can adapt, and then the commitment of the players as well, with at least 12-18 out for practice each Wednesday night allows us to work on things,” he said. “It’s a great honour to win coach of the year, but I’m lucky to have a manager like Roger Blaquiere and the good group of players I have.”

Prior to becoming the first three-time consecutive coach of the year in SWHL history, Smith also won a championship in his first year behind the bench with the Edam 3 Stars back in the ’16-17 season, as part of the Saskatchewan Prairie Hockey League, prior to moving over to the SWHL.

Rounding out the Sask West Hockey League awards, Macklin’s Cody McKinnon won best defensive forward, Macklin’s Ryan Deck won rookie of the year, and Kindersley’s Travis Child was named top goaltender.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1