The Battlefords North Stars didn’t know when they last took the ice back on Nov. 14 that it would be their final game of the season. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

COVID-19 and the SJHL

North Stars brass react to SJHL season cancellation

Mar 23, 2021 | 4:46 PM

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) announced Tuesday that the cancelation of the remainder of the 2020-21 season.

President of the Battlefords North Stars, Shandon Reichert told battlefordsNOW it is unfortunate the league will not be able to return to play this year, following months of waiting and hoping for a return at some point.

“It’s a huge disappointment for not only the league, but our province as well,” Reichert said. “You know how hockey is held in Saskatchewan, so it’s unfortunate the hub was rejected by the Provincial Government. People’s health is obviously the number one priority as it should be, but still it is a hard pill to swallow.”

This is the second-straight season the league has had to cancel their schedule early due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year’s playoffs were also axed just four games in due to concerns around the beginning of the pandemic.

Reichert said more than anything he feels for the players, many of whom have been holding out hope for a chance to return to the ice this year, and the game they love in the community.

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“They put a lot of time and effort into their hockey and into our community, which is a very big part of what we try to focus on,” he said. “They’ve been active, reading to kids, shoveling snow and really becoming part of the community, so it’s very tough they can’t go through their 20-year-old season and have a shot at defending the league championship here again.”

Head coach and general manager of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko told battlefordsNOW that he too feels for the players, and especially the 20 year olds, who will see their junior career wrap up with the cancelation.

“I don’t know what the right message is right now,” Klimosko said when asked what he would say to his graduating players. “Obviously I thank them for all they did here with their leadership and [patience] this year. We thank them for all their time and hopefully they want to continue to play next year and we can find them all places to play so they can continue to pursue their hockey careers.”

The North Stars played just three games this year, with all three coming prior to the Christmas break.

Stay tuned to battlefordsNOW for more insights and reaction to the SJHL season, and all things North Stars.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1