# 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.

## 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.
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".
The team celebrated its 50th anniversary in June 2023.

## 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