Battlefords North Stars fans can mark a big red star around Friday, September 15 on their calendar.
That’s when the reigning Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League champions will open up their defence of the Canalta Cup as they’ll pay a visit to the Kindersley Klippers.
A night later, supporters will get to see the 2017 championship banner raised to the rafters of the Civic Centre as they’ll host the Klippers in one of 10 meeting between the two rivals this year.
The full 2017-18 schedule, which was released Sunday morning and can be viewed on the SJHL’s website, will see the North Stars play 58 games.
Two of those contests have yet to be finalized, as they’ll take place during the league’s annual showcase event in Warman from September 24-27.
One of the more notable matchups for the North Stars will be on Saturday, October 21, as the Flin Flon Bombers will make their first visit to the Civic Centre after their battle in the league final last season.
The longest home stand for the team will be a seven game stretch that begins on Tuesday, January 30 against the Klippers and will conclude on Saturday, February 10 against the Notre Dame Hounds.
The North Stars lengthiest trip away from the Civic Centre will take place over the span of six games starting on Tuesday, January 9 against the Nipawin Hawks and ending with a visit to the Melfort Mustangs on Wednesday, January 24.
After taking on the Klippers in their home finale on Thursday, March 8, the North Stars will wrap up the regular season a night later by visiting the Hawks.
That will mark the first time that North Stars haven’t finished off their campaign against the Klippers since 2013.
The North Stars will also have four neutral site games during the season, with the first taking place in Pinehouse on Saturday, December 9 against the La Ronge Ice Wolves.
Following a Saturday, January 20 battle with the Melville Millionaires in Balcarres, the North Stars will take on the Ice Wolves in Spiritwood on Saturday, January 27 and go up against the Klippers in Unity on Tuesday, March 6.The SJHL regular season will begin with five games on Friday, September 15 and conclude with four contests on Friday, March 9.
The playoffs will begin with the wild card round, which has been changed to a best of three series, on Sunday, March 11.
In other North Stars news, the team has acquired goaltender Cale Elder from the Klippers in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2018 SJHL Bantam Draft.
Elder, 16, suited up for the Prince Albert Mintos in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League last season and compiled a 17-5 record with a 1.85 goals against average and a .927 save percentage.
The Saskatoon product is also a prospect of the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars and is expected to be in the mix for one of two open spots they have between the pipes.
