North Stars’ drafting key to sustained success
Since the implementation of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Bantam Draft back in the summer of 2015, no team has won more games (332) or championships (three: 2017, 2019, 2023) than the Battlefords North Stars.
Spearheaded by head scout and assistant general manager, Wylie Riendeau, the North Stars have been at the cutting edge of drafting and development since, with past draft selections having littered the team’s last two championship rosters.
Headlining the team’s inaugural draft was forward Kaden Boser, a second-round selection by the North Stars back in 2015, 19th overall. Boser would go on to establish himself as a playoff hero just four years later, scoring three game-winners for the North Stars on their playoff run to the 2019 championship, including two in OT.
Dylan Esau, who was the youngest player on that 2019 team, and would lead the North Stars in scoring three years later with 58 points in 57 games during the 2021-22 season, was a second-round selection, 24th overall the following year, in 2016.