Battlefords North Stars

The Battlefords North Stars are a Junior "A" ice hockey team based in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, that plays in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. The team was founded in 1973 as the Battlefords Barons and has been known as the North Stars since 1983. They have won four SJHL Championships, most recently in 2023.^[1]

Battlefords North Stars
City	North Battleford, Saskatchewan
League	SJHL
Division	Nutrien
Founded	1973
Home arena	North Battleford Civic Centre
Colours	Black and silver
General manager	Brayden Klimosko (2018-19)
Head coach	Brayden Klimosko (2018-19)
Franchise history
1973–1983	Battlefords Barons
1983–present	Battlefords North Stars

History

The team was founded in 1973 when the team's first board of directors, led by Art Streuby, created a franchise to join the SJHL named the Battlefords Barons.^[2]

In the team's first season, they posted an abysmal record of 10–40–0, improving to 31-26-1 the following year.

In 1983-84 the team's name was changed to the North Battleford North Stars, adopting a logo similar to their namesake, the Minnesota North Stars in the National Hockey League.

In the 1990s a new logo taking heavy inspiration from the first Dallas Stars logo would be brought into use, and remains the team's logo today, along with the black and silver colour scheme. The team's name was also shortened to "Battlefords North Stars".^[3]

The team celebrated its 50th anniversary in June 2023.^[4]

Season-by-season standings

Season	GP	W	L	T	OTL	GF	GA	P	Results	Playoffs
1973-74	50	10	40	0	-	178	296	20	6th SJHL North	Did not Qualify for Playoffs
1974-75	58	31	26	1	-	330	279	63	3rd SJHL North	Won quarter-final 4-2 (Millionaires) Lost semi-finals, 0-4 (Raiders)
1975-76	58	31	27	0	-	343	258	62	4th SJHL North	Lost quarter-finals, 0-4 (Raiders)
1976-77	60	24	34	2	-	292	319	50	3rd SJHL North	Lost quarter-finals, 1-4 (Broncos)
1977-78	60	24	36	0	-	254	318	48	4th SJHL North	Lost quarter-finals, 0-4 (Raiders)
1978-79	60	25	33	2	-	310	334	52	4th SJHL North	Lost quarter-finals, 1-4 (Raiders)
1979-80	60	29	31	0	-	288	295	58	3rd SJHL North	Lost quarter-finals, 1-4 (Broncos)
1980-81	60	25	34	1	-	283	326	51	4th SJHL North	Lost quarter-finals, 0-4 (Raiders)
1981-82	60	21	37	2	-	250	334	44	5th SJHL North	Did not Qualify for Playoffs
1983-84	64	14	50	0	-	266	388	28	9th SJHL	Did not Qualify for Playoffs
1983-84	64	24	38	2	-	278	358	50	7th SJHL	Lost quarter-finals, 0-4 (Red Wings)
1984-85	64	39	23	2	-	376	274	80	3rd SJHL	Won quarter-final 4-1 (Millionaires) Lost semi-finals, 1-4 (Bruins)
1985-86	60	33	27	0	-	314	307	66	4th SJHL	Lost quarter-finals, 0-4 Indians
1986-87	64	38	23	3	-	310	257	79	3rd SJHL	Won quarter-final 4-2 (Red Wings) Lost semi-finals, 0-4 Lancers
1987-88	60	19	38	3	-	246	328	41	10th SJHL	Did not Qualify for Playoffs
1988-89	64	25	36	3	-	308	348	53	4th SJHL North
1989-90	68	36	27	5	-	296	284	77	3rd SJHL North	Lost 1st round
1990-91	68	35	30	3	-	315	316	73	3rd SJHL North	Lost Division S-Final
1991-92	64	20	41	3	-	260	325	43	6th SJHL North	DNQ
1992-93	64	16	39	9	-	213	280	41	6th SJHL North	DNQ
1993-94	68	35	22	11	-	294	236	81	2nd SJHL North	Lost Division S-Final
1994-95	64	39	17	8	-	291	188	86	1st SJHL	Lost final
1995-96	64	44	17	3	-	298	201	91	2nd SJHL North	Lost Division Final
1996-97	64	30	22	12	-	280	232	72	3rd SJHL North	Lost final
1997-98	64	26	30	8	-	230	235	60	5th SJHL North	Lost Division S-Final
1998-99	66	35	29	2	-	249	227	72	4th SJHL North	Lost Division S-Final
1999-00	60	39	18	3	-	257	190	81	2nd SJHL North	Won League, won Anavet Cup
2000-01	62	24	33	3	2	226	259	53	7th SJHL Dodge	DNQ
2001-02	64	37	21	5	1	259	206	80	4th SJHL Dodge	Lost Conf S-Final
2002-03	60	34	20	4	2	222	183	74	3rd SJHL Dodge	Lost Conf Final
2003-04	60	36	16	5	3	219	162	80	2nd SJHL Dodge	Lost Conf S-Final
2004-05	55	28	15	8	4	202	169	68	1st SJHL Itech	Lost final
2005-06	55	38	12	2	3	215	136	81	1st SJHL Itech	Lost final
2006-07	58	35	15	0	8	216	182	78	2nd SJHL Itech	Lost in Conference Semifinals
2007-08	58	5	47	-	6	110	271	16	12th SJHL
2008-09	56	15	38	-	3	154	229	33	11th SJHL
2009-10	58	35	19	-	4	228	196	74	3rd SJHL	Lost semi-final
2010-11	58	26	29	-	3	234	256	55	8th SJHL	Lost Preliminary
2011-12	58	41	15	-	2	205	154	84	2nd SJHL	Won quarter-finals, 4-3 Hawks lost semifinals, 2-4 (Broncos)
2012-13	54	26	21	2	5	156	164	59	4 of 6 North Div 7th of 12 SJHL	Lost Qualifying Round, 0-3 (Mustangs)
2013-14	56	36	17	-	3	176	139	75	1st of 4 Kramer Div 2nd of 12 SJHL	Won quarter-final 4-1 (Bruins) Lost semi-finals,1-4 (Millionaires)
2014-15	56	28	20	6	2	140	164	64	3rd of 4 Kramer Div 6th of 12 SJHL	Won Wild Card, 3-2 (Bruins) Lost quarter-finals, 0-4 (Klippers)
2015-16	58	43	11	2	2	239	146	90	1st of 4 Finning Div 1st of 12 SJHL	Won quarter-finals, 4-1 (Klippers) lost semifinals, 1-4 (Bombers)
2016-17	58	48	9	1	0	223	103	97	1st of 4 Finning Div 1st of 12 SJHL	Won quarter-finals, 4-0 (Red Wings) Won semi-finals, 4-0 (Bruins) Won League Finals 4-0 (Bombers) SJHL Champions Advance to Western Canada Cup
2017-18	58	42	14	2	0	229	142	86	1st of 4 Global Ag Div 2nd of 12 SJHL	Won quarter-finals 4-0 (Red Wings) Lost semifinals 1-4 (Bruins)
2018-19	58	35	13	5	5	213	169	80	1st of 4 Nutrien Div2nd of 12 SJHL	Won quarter-finals 4-3 (Bombers) Won semi finals 4-0 (Terriers) Won League Finals 4-1 (Mustangs) SJHL Champions Lost ANAVET Cup 4-1 (Portage Terriers)
2019-20	58	45	11	2	0	226	150	92	1st of 4 Nutrien Div1st of 12 SJHL	Won quarter finals 3-1 (Hawks) Remainder of playoffs cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2020-21*	3	0	3	0	0	9	17	0	4th of 4 Nutrien Div12th of 12 SJHL	*Shortened season due to COVID-19 pandemic
2021-22	58	35	17	5	1	207	174	76	2nd of 4, Nutrien Div4th of 12 SJHL	Lost quarter finals 3-2 (Bombers)
2022-23	48	5	2	2	1	284	138	99	1st of 4, Nutrien Div 1st of 12, SJHL	Won quarter finals 4-1 (Red Wings) Won semi-finals 4-0 (Mustangs) Won League Finals 4-0 (Bombers) SJHL Champions Advance to Centennial Cup
2023-24	56	36	15	4	1	254	197	77	2nd of 4, Nutrien Div 4th of 12, SJHL	Won quarter finals 4-0 (Mustangs) Lost Semifinals 0-4 (Bombers)

Playoffs

• 1989 Lost quarter-final

Nipawin Hawks defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-2

• 1990 Lost quarter-final

Yorkton Terriers defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-1

• 1991 Lost quarter-final

Humboldt Broncos defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-2

• 1992 DNQ
• 1993 DNQ
• 1994 Lost quarter-final

Humboldt Broncos defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-3

• 1995 Lost final

Battlefords North Stars defeated Kindersley Klippers 4-games-to-none

Battlefords North Stars defeated Melfort Mustangs 4-games-to-2

Weyburn Red Wings defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-1

• 1996 Lost semi-final

Battlefords North Stars defeated Nipawin Hawks 4-games-to-2

Melfort Mustangs defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-1

• 1997 Lost final

Battlefords North Stars defeated Melfort Mustangs 4-games-to-none

Battlefords North Stars defeated Nipawin Hawks 4-games-to-2

Weyburn Red Wings defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-none

• 1998 Lost quarter-final

Battlefords North Stars defeated Humboldt Broncos 2-games-to-none

Nipawin Hawks defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-none

• 1999 Lost quarter-final

Battleford North Stars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 2-games-to-none

Melfort Mustangs defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-2

• 2000 Won League, won Anavet Cup, lost Royal Bank Cup Semi-final - Won Bronze

First in round robin (3-1) vs. Flin Flon Bombers and Melfort Mustangs

Battlefords North Stars defeated Kindersley Klippers 4-games-to-1

Battlefords North Stars defeated Humboldt Broncos 4-games-to-3

Battlefords North Stars defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4-games-to-3 SJHL CHAMPIONS

Battlefords North Stars defeated OCN Blizzard (MJHL) 4-games-to-1 ANAVET CUP CHAMPIONS

Fourth in 2000 Royal Bank Cup round robin (2-2)

Fort McMurray Oil Barons (BCHL) defeated Battlefords North Stars 5-2 in Semi-final

Battlefords North Stars defeated Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) 3-2 2OT in Bronze Medal Game

• 2001 DNQ
• 2002 Lost quarter-final

Kindersley Klippers defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-3

• 2003 Lost semi-final

Battlefords North Stars defeated Kindersley Klippers 4-games-to-none

Humboldt Broncos defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-2

• 2004 Lost quarter-final

Kindersley Klippers defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-none

• 2005 Lost final

Battlefords North Stars defeated Kindersley Klippers 4-games-to-none

Battlefords North Stars defeated La Ronge Ice Wolves 4-games-to-3

Yorkton Terriers defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-3

• 2006 Lost final

First in round robin (2-1-1) vs. Nipawin Hawks and La Ronge Ice Wolves

Battlefords North Stars defeated Flin Flon Bombers 4-games-to-1

Battlefords North Stars defeated La Ronge Ice Wolves 4-games-to-none

Yorkton Terriers defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-1

• 2007 Lost quarter-final

Second in round robin (2-1-1) vs. Humboldt Broncos and Melfort Mustangs

Nipawin Hawks defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-2

• 2008 DNQ
• 2009 Lost quarter-final

Battlefords North Stars defeated Nipawin Hawks 3-games-to-none

Humboldt Broncos defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-2

• 2010 Lost semi-final

Battlefords North Stars defeated Melfort Mustangs 4-games-to-1

La Ronge Ice Wolves defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-2

• 2011 Lost Preliminary

Flin Flon Bombers defeated Battlefords North Stars 3-games-to-1

Western Canada Cup

Western Canada Championships ** BCHL - AJHL- SJHL - MJHL - Host **
Round robin play with 1st vs 2nd - winner advance to National Championship & loser to Runner-up Game
3rd vs 4th in 2nd semi-final winner to Runner-up game loser eliminated.
Runner-up game determines 2nd representative to National Championship.
Competition began 2013 season. Ended following 2017 playoffs.

Year	Round Robin	Record	Standing	Semifinal	Gold Medal Game	Runner-up Game
2017	OTL, Penticton Vees 1–2 L, Portage Terriers 3–5 L, Brooks Bandits 1–4 W, Chilliwack Chiefs 3-0	1-0-2-1	4th of 5	L, Penticton Vees 0-4	n/a	n/a

Centennial Cup - Revised format 2022

Canadian Jr. A National Championships
Maritime Junior Hockey League, Quebec Junior Hockey League, Central Canada Hockey League, Ontario Junior Hockey League, Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, Superior International Junior Hockey League, Manitoba Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Alberta Junior Hockey League, and Host. The BCHL declared itself an independent league and there is no BC representative.
Round-robin play in two 5-team pools with top three in pool advancing to determine a Champion.

Year	Round-robin	Record	Standing	Quarterfinal	Semifinal	Championship
2023	W, Kam River Fighting Walleyes (SIJHL), 4–1 L, Collingwood Blues (OJHL), 1–3 W, Portage Terriers (Host), 3–2 W, Steinback Pistons (ManJHL), 3-1	3-1-0	1st of 5 Pool B	bye	Won 7–1 Portage Terriers	Lost 3–4 Brooks Bandits

NHL alumni

• Blair Atcheynum - Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators, Chicago Blackhawks
• Wade Belak - Colorado Avalanche, Calgary Flames, Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators
• Steve Konowalchuk - Washington Capitals, Colorado Avalanche
• Joel Kwiatkowski - Ottawa Senators, Washington Capitals, Florida Panthers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers
• Jaroslav Obsut - St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche
• Corey Schwab - New Jersey Devils, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs
• Mick Vukota - New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Montreal Canadiens

See also

• List of ice hockey teams in Saskatchewan

References

1. "SJHL Round-Up: Battlefords wins Canterra Seeds Cup championship". SaskToday.ca. 2023-04-24. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
2. Martinson, Martin. "North Stars' founder, Strueby reflects on 50 years". battlefordsNOW. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
3. "North Stars & Barons History". www.northstars.ca. Retrieved 2023-09-22.
4. Martinson, Martin. "North Stars gearing up for 50th Anniversary Weekend". battlefordsNOW. Retrieved 2023-09-22.

External links

• Battlefords North Stars official website