The Battlefords North Stars, already leading the league with a 26-and-3 record and boasting the second most goals scored in the league, have added 1998 F Ben Hiltz (Weyburn SK) to their stable in a three player trade with Weyburn.
Hiltz, at 6’3″ 185 lbs, is expected to step in and jumpstart a North Star powerplay, which has been successful just 15.7% of the time while enjoying the man advantage, which is 8th best in the twelve team league.
At the time of the trade, Hiltz was leading the Wings with 11-goals and 11-assists in 30-games. He’s been a point per game player in the SJHL for each of the last two seasons.
“He’s a difference maker type of player. He’s big and strong and has been a contributor in this league for four years. We feel like we are getting a top player, but we also feel as though we gave some good pieces back in this trade,” said North Star coach Brayden Klimosko.
Going the other way is 2001 F Dace Prymak (Invermere BC) and 2001 D Jordan Gagnon (Leduc AB). Prymak has 4-goals and 7-assists in 21-games and 1-goal, 4-assists in his last 6-games. Gagnone has 1-assist in 11-games playing on a blueline that is the deepest in the SJHL. The Wings also receive future considerations in this transaction.
It’s the second major deal in as many days for the Stars, who moved out forward Brett Gammer to the BCHL’s Prince George Spruce Kings in exchange for 2000 F Jaxon Steele (Calgary AB). Steele has some WHL experience and had 2-goals and 7-assists in 20-games in the BCHL.
