The U15 NorthWest Stars pose for a team picture after taking the "C-side" championship over the weekend in Regina. (submitted photo/Carla Bernier)

By Martin Martinson

Stars Shine in Regina

NorthWest Stars win “C” Final at Graham Tuer U15 Challenge

Nov 1, 2022 | 2:56 PM

It was a weekend to remember for the U15 AA NorthWest Stars, as the team won the “C” Final at the Graham Tuer U15 Challenge in Regina.

One of the largest and most prestigious U15 hockey tournaments in Western Canada, 32 teams participated in this year’s event including the Stars, who posted a 4-2-0 record through six games on their way to being crowned C-side champs.

Opening the tournament with a 1-2 record through their opening three games of pool play, the Stars caught fire in the playoff rounds, with three straight victories. The team topped the Prairie Storm 5-2, the Estevan Bruins 8-4, and the rival West Central Wheat Kings 5-4 on their way to the top.

Head coach of the Stars, Kim Kramer said it was something special to see the team come together to leave it all on the ice in Regina.

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“We as coaches were really proud of the effort and determination of the team as a whole,” Kramer said. “Six games in four days is definitely a grind and many players were banged up and battling through injuries. It was really nice to see numerous players contributing both on the offensive and defensive side of the game, and they really came together and took some big steps forward.”

Kramer said it’s the kind of weekend showing that can springboard the team moving forward.

“I think our boys proved to themselves they could compete with the top teams,” the coach continued. “Now they know what they’re capable of, and we know what we’ve got to work on and I think we’re going to have some good games ahead.”

In addition to the team success, the NorthWest Stars also had a trio of players finish in the top 15 of the tournament scoring leaders.

Captain, Kash Alger-East, who is in the midst of a memorable season of SAAHL play, led the tournament in scoring with 18 points (nine goals, nine assists) in six games, to earn a spot on the First All-Star Team.

Determined by the scouts in attendance, Alger-East was elected to the first All-Star team alongside fellow forwards Jonah Silvertson (Regina Monarchs) and Caine Wilkie (Saskatoon Bandits), defencemen Griffin Darby (Swift Current) and Nolan Saunderson (Brandon Wheat Kings), and goalie Jackson Dunn (Regina Monarchs).

Stars’ defenceman, Millar Kramer finished tied for eighth in scoring, and tied for second amongst blue-liners with 11 points (three goals, eight points) in six games, while forward Seth Baptiste finished just outside the top 10 scorers, tied for 12^th overall with 10 points (six goals, four assists), including a hat-trick performance in the team’s opening win of the tournament over Pilot Mound.

Kramer said the trio played a big part in the team’s success over the weekend, along with strong goaltending from the tandem of Hunter Kramer (2-1 record, 3.00 goals against average) and Parker Schmidt (2-1, 4.67 goals against average).

“They brought their veteran leadership forward this weekend and battled through, and the young guys were contributing as well,” Kramer said. “It took our whole team to get that far in the tournament and every player brings a bit of a different role. As a group they were able to really push through.”

The U15 NorthWest Stars will now look to carry their momentum from the tournament into their return to SAAHL league play this weekend, as the team get set for back-to-backs on the road versus the Warman Wildcats Saturday, and Humboldt Broncos U15 team Sunday.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1