Kian Bell (left) and Tanner Gold (right) have been at the forefront of the North Stars' success all season, playing some of their best hockey of late for the team down the stretch. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)
Making Headlines

North Stars Bell, Gold highlight SJHL Players of the Week

Mar 12, 2024 | 5:55 PM

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League recently announced its Players of the Week for Mar. 4-10, headlined by a pair of Battlefords North Stars.

Kian Bell registered a league-high seven points (three goals, four assists) in two games to earn Bourgault Forward of the Week honours; while captain Tanner Gold had five points (one goal, four assists) in two games to earn SuperU Defenceman of the Week distinction.

“Both had really good weeks and have had a really good last couple of weeks to be honest,” head coach of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko said.

“Obviously, you get Kian in front of the net with a chance to score a goal and he’s going to bury it nine times out of 10, and he scored some big ones for us against Humboldt. Goldie’s been leading us defensively and offensively from the backend as well. Both of them have done a really good job for us this week and it’s good that they’re getting recognized.”

Bell’s week was highlighted by a monster five-point performance (two goals, three assists) in Saturday’s big 7-4 win over the division-rival, Humboldt Broncos. Bouncing back from a loss to the Broncos the night prior, the victory not only moved the North Stars back into third overall in the SJHL standings – and tops in their division – but also snapped the team’s six-game losing skid.

With his seven-point week, Bell extended his league-leading point total to 93 points (36 goals, 57 assists) in just 40 games.

With just two games remaining on the North Stars’ regular season schedule, Bell needs seven points to become the first player since 1989 and ‘90 to hit the century mark in consecutive seasons. Regardless, with a 10-point lead on the field heading into the final weekend of play, Bell is primed to become the first player to lead the league in scoring in consecutive years since Travis Mayan of the Melfort Mustangs posted back-to-back 84 and 93-point seasons in ’14-15 and 15-16.

With his five-point week, Gold now has 49 points (11 goals, 38 assists) in 50 games, tying him for fifth in league scoring amongst defenceman. Heading into the final weekend of the regular season, Gold sits just a single point away from becoming just the third North Stars defenceman in the last 17 years to hit the 50-point milestone, joining teammate Alex Izyk (2023-24), and former teammate, Tynan Ewart (2022-2023).

The full SJHL Players of the Week can be found here.

The North Stars will play their final two games of the regular season this weekend in a home-and-home with the Kindersley Klippers. Both Friday’s game in the Battlefords, and Saturday’s in Kindersley, will be available on 1050 CJNB. The Ultra Print Pregame Show will begin both nights at 7 p.m. with puck drop to follow at 7:30 p.m. on the NAPA Auto Parts North Stars Broadcast.

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @MartyMartyPxP1

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