NORTH BATTLEFORD — The longevity of the Battlefords North Stars junior hockey club includes some rich history. A number of the builders, players and contributors are being acknowledged through induction announcements to the SJHL Hall of Fame upcoming in June.
Kennedy Schmidt, Marketing and Office Manager for the Battlefords North Stars Hockey Club said, “We actually had another four inductees announced this past weekend and will be coming out on social media in the next few days.”
Blake Tatchell, Blair Atcheynum, Tracy Cook and Wade Belak were the newest inductees announced by the SJHL hockey club.
Blake Tatchell played hockey in the Battlefords almost his entire hockey career, starting in minor hockey all the way through to being a North Star from 2009-2012.
Tatchell was a hometown fan favorite during his 168 games played, garnering 190 points. During his last season, as a 20-year-old, Tatchell signed to play NCAA Div. 1 University of Alaska-Anchorage.
“Tatchell runs Trach Power Skating and holds many clinics in the Battlefords as well as the John Paull II Collegiate Hockey School, that helps shape the skills of future North Star players,” adds the North Stars hockey executive.
Tracey Cook has a long history with the Battlefords North Stars with his father being the first ever coach of the club in 1973.
Wanting to become more than just a fan, Cook started his career as a linesman in 1983 with the SJHL. He moved onto referee duties where he remained until the 2007 season. In 2008, Cook became Officials Supervisor in the league, followed by the role of Referee in Chief in 2009, serving in that role until 2017.
Right winger for the Battlefords North Stars in 1985-86, Blair Atcheynum played 33 games until he was called up to the WHL to finish off the season. He continued his WHL career until 1989, then moving into the AHL and eventually transitioned into the NHL, playing for the Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, Nashville Predators and Chicago Blackhawks.
Atcheynum returned to the Battlefords and one of his roles on return was serving as Assistant Coach for the North Stars from 2011-2014.
Wade Belak became a North Star at the age of 16, for the 1992-1993 season. He finished the season with the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL where he spent the remainder of his junior career. Belak was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques first round, 12th overall, just five days before his 18th birthday in 1994.
After completion of Belak’s junior career, the former North Star bounced back and forth between the AHL and NHL before landing closer to home for the 1999-2000 season with the Calgary Flames. He went on to become a part of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida Panthers and Nashville Predators.
Schmidt acknowledges that there are other inductees to be announced in the near future.
