Ryland McNinch has established himself as a fan favourite both on the ice and off over his two years with the North Stars. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)
Voting now open

North Stars McNinch nominated for SJHL Community Ambassador

May 11, 2021 | 2:33 PM

North Stars forward Ryland McNinch has been nominated as the team’s representative for SJHL Community Ambassador for the 2020-21 season.

For McNinch, suiting up in the Battlefords black and silver is truly a dream come true. Growing up in nearby Turtleford, Sask., he would often attend Stars’ games at the NB Civic Centre (now Access Communications Centre) with family.

Now as a member of the team, the 19-year-old said he feels the appreciation the community has for the club first-hand, which he called ‘a really great feeling.’

“Now that I’m living in Battleford, the community’s just been awesome,” McNinch said. “The fans are incredible, and being close to home in the Battlefords has always been something special to me.”

(@theSJHL/Twitter)

McNinch said just knowing the affect someone in his position can have on people through giving back has made him more than happy to volunteer whenever he can with the North Stars community events and outreach; adding that the nomination for Community Ambassador is something he takes to heart.

“It definitely means a lot,” McNinch said of the honour. “The Community Ambassador Award is a special award to be up for and when I saw that I was being nominated, it was awesome.”

Whether reading to students at the local elementary schools, walking dogs at the animal shelter, building ginger bread houses, or playing some floor hockey, McNinch has been very visible in the community over his time with the Stars. (North Stars/Facebook/)

Head coach of the North Stars, Brayden Klimosko said, since first joining the team in the fall of 2019, McNinch has been a guy who has set a good example through his actions taking part in the team’s various community initiatives.

“Ryland’s a guy who’s willing to volunteer for anything and just a great team player,” Klimosko said. “He’s well-respected in the dressing room, as well as the community, and I think he’d be a great choice as [league] Community Ambassador.”

McNinch is up against 11 other team representatives from across the SJHL, including Melville’s Luke Nkwama, Kindersley’s Jaxon Georget, Humboldt’s Reid Arnold, La Ronge’s Logan Holm, Notre Dame’s Qaritaq Kusugak-Clark, Melfort’s Ben Chase, Nipawin’s Jake Tremblay, Weyburn’s Braden Bernie, Yorkton’s Colby Vranai, Estevan’s Caleb Petrie, and Flin Flon’s Reid Robertson.

Voting for the SJHL’s Community Ambassador is open until May 14, and available on Twitter. The winner of the final showdown will receive $2,000 to donate to the charity of their choice.

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1

View Comments