Goaltender, Carter Bell, pictured here during fall camp at the Access Communications Centre in North Battleford. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

AA hockey begins

U18 NorthWest Stars ready for pre-season opener Friday

Sep 15, 2021 | 5:00 PM

The start of the pre-season sits just around the corner for the U18 AA NorthWest Stars.

The team will open their pre-season schedule Friday in Saskatoon versus the Indigenous Sports Academy.

Following a strong week of fall camp drills and practices, head coach, Lee Ulmer said the team is ready to go for the season ahead.

“Just talking with some of our players, everyone’s pretty excited for the season,” Ulmer said. “We have a strong core of returning guys, but we also have a fair number of open spots as well with some good young players coming up through the works, so we should be able to put a strong team together.”

One of those returning players looking to take advantage of an increased role this season is goaltender, Carter Bell.

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Now heading into his second year with the NorthWest Stars, Bell said it’s been great to get back between the pipes with the team and reconnect with teammates through the last week of camp, following the extended offseason.

“With the offseason longer than expected, that definitely brings some more excitement for the boys getting back this year,” Bell said. “I think it’s just been more competitive as guys are eager to show what they’ve done over the offseason and prove how committed they’ve been.”

A North Battleford product, Bell said in addition to the return of the season itself, he — like many of his teammates — are also looking forward to the chance to play in front of friends and family in the hometown crowd once again this year.

“Nothing’s better than being a hometown kid and being able to play in front of the home crowd,” he said. “Just to be involved in the community is something special, and we’ll hope to bring the fans what they want to see this year.”

The NorthWest Stars will open their pre-season schedule Friday, Sept. 17 at Saskatoon’s Canlan Ice Sports — Agriplace, versus Indigenous Sports Academy. Puck drop will be at 7:15 p.m.

The team will host their home opener at the Access Communications Centre Sept. 26 versus the Lloydminster AA Blazers. An afternoon start, puck drop will be at 4:15 p.m.

For more on the NorthWest Stars schedule, visit the Battlefords Minor Hockey website.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1