As the Battlefords North Stars were holding their year-end banquet last month, graduating forward Keaton Holinaty was given a heads-up from head coach and general manager Nate Bedford that he would be getting a phone call in the coming days.
鈥淗e came up and told me that a university team was showing some interest in having me play for them next year,鈥� Holinaty said.
鈥淭hat next day, I got a call from Curtis Hodgins and everything went from there.鈥�
On Wednesday, it was announced that the 21-year-old from Hardisty, Alta. will be suiting up for the University of Ontario Institute of Technology Ridgebacks in U Sports starting this fall.
鈥淚鈥檓 really excited about it,鈥� Holinaty said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one of the best leagues in the country and I鈥檓 ready to move up a level and take on that challenge.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a different part of the country that I鈥檒l be going to for the first time, and that鈥檚 something I鈥檓 also looking forward to.鈥�
Hodgins, who is entering his third season as the head coach for the Ridgebacks, said that Holinaty came on his radar a little over a month ago following a chat with Bedford.
鈥淣ate and I go way back as he was playing in the OJHL (Ontario Junior Hockey League) when I was coaching there,鈥� Hodgins said. 鈥淗e spoke really highly of Keaton and he fits one of our biggest needs as a right-handed centreman, which is something we haven鈥檛 had in our lineup since I took the job here.
鈥淎fter talking to Keaton and pouring over video highlights, his 200-foot game stood out for me. I know that鈥檚 a bit of a clich茅, but the way that he plays all over the ice is very impressive.鈥�
For Holinaty, who will be studying business at the school based in Oshawa, Ont., the opportunity to join a program that is moving up in the Ontario University Athletics conference is something that intrigued him.
鈥淭he team鈥檚 been improving every year since they joined the league about a decade ago,鈥� Holinaty said. 鈥淚t really feels like a program that鈥檚 still relatively new compared to the rest of the league.
鈥淭hey set a franchise record in wins (18) a couple of years ago and they are starting to put together the pieces to have a bit of a legacy there, which I want to be a part of.鈥�
The Ridgebacks had a 16-11-1 record last season and lost in the first round of the East Division playoffs to the Concordia Stingers in three games.
So far this off-season, all five of their recruits have come from the Junior A ranks, with Jordan Ross joining the program from the SJHL鈥檚 Yorkton Terriers and a trio of players (Jesse Baird, Josh Maguire and Brennan Roy) coming over from the RBC Cup champion Cobourg Cougars of the OJHL.
鈥淩ight now it鈥檚 just working out that way that our freshman class so far comes from those leagues,鈥� Hodgins said. 鈥淥bviously I have that connection to the OJHL from my time there, but I really feel that the leagues like the SJHL are a real untapped market when it comes to university teams in Ontario.
鈥淚 like to have a hard working group of guys that play the game the right way. We have a pretty good mix of veterans and younger players, but we also don鈥檛 carry a lot of guys on the roster, so everyone gets a chance to show what they can do.鈥�
Sophomore forward Erik Pedersen, who suited up for the Flin Flon Bombers from 2013 to 2014, was the only SJHL alumni on last year鈥檚 Ridgebacks squad.
Holinaty, who was acquired from the Alberta Junior Hockey League鈥檚 Drumheller Dragons for future considerations last June, had 35 points in 56 regular season games with the North Stars.
He upped his play in the post-season by potting 10 goals in 12 playoff contests as the North Stars won their second Canalta Cup Title.
At the Western Canada Cup in Penticton, B.C., Holinaty led the team in scoring with four points in five games.
鈥淗aving the chance to be on the North Stars has helped me immensely,鈥� Holinaty said.
鈥淲e had a great run this year in the playoffs, which is my favourite time of the year, and I was given an opportunity by Nate to shine. Luckily, it worked out well for me as I have a chance to continue my career.鈥�
Holinaty is the third player from last season鈥檚 North Stars squad to commit to a post-secondary program for the 2017-18 campaign.
Reed Delainey will be playing for the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers in the NCAA Division I ranks, while Coby Downs will suit up for the reigning NCAA Division III national champion Norwich Cadets. 聽
