Out-of-province imports Logan and Holinaty blossom with North Stars

A change of hockey scenery has done Connor Logan and Keaton Holinaty some good.

They have found success this season with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League champion Battlefords North Stars, who are hoping to move on from this week’s Western Canada Cup in Penticton, B.C., to the RBC Cup in Cobourg, Ont.

Only the top two teams from the west will earn berths in the RBC Cup.

Logan — who has two goals so far in the 2017 Western Canada Cup out in Penticton, B.C. — has proven to be a key addition to the Battlefords squad after coming over last June from the British Columbia Hockey League’s Prince George Spruce Kings.

“Every year you grow a little bit as a player and develop,” offered Logan, a 6-foot tall, 190-pound left winger who had just nine goals and 10 assists for 19 points in 53 games last season with the BCHL’s Spruce Kings.

“Just coming (to North Battleford), I had an opportunity to showcase what I could do. Good linemates. Good teammates. Everything helps and makes things a lot easier so you can go and have fun.”

The 20-year-old forward, from Victoria, B.C., netted 24 goals and added 29 assists for 53 points in 58 games with the Stars during the regular season. He then chipped in with seven goals and five assists for 12 points in 12 SJHL playoff games.

“Honestly, I knew the Battlefords Stars is a good organization and, when the opportunity came to come here, I just wanted to play for a good team and things ended up working out,” Logan said.

Holinaty, a 21-year-old native of Hardisty, Alta., was acquired from the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Drumheller Dragons.

Like Logan, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Holinaty is an overage forward who was picked up in the off-season.

He potted 20 goals and added 15 assists for 35 points in 56 games with the Stars. He then scored 10 goals and added three assists for 13 points in 12 games during the SJHL playoffs.

Last season, he had only three goals and 11 assists for 14 points in 57 games with the AJHL’s Dragons.

He, too, has blossomed in the Battlefords.

“Just opportunity,” said Holinaty when asked about the key to his success. “I mean, I didn’t really get that the first few years. I’m getting some offensive opportunity and, luckily, I’ve capitalized on it.

“Obviously you picture yourself doing these things and winning a championship. It’s awesome that I can help contribute and bring the best to the team.”

Holinaty scored the lone goal for the Stars (0-2-1) in a 4-1 loss Tuesday to the AJHL champion Brooks Bandits, who improved to 3-0.

Battlefords faces B.C.’s Chilliwack Chiefs in a must-win game Thursday to close out round-robin play and keep its playoff hopes alive.