Kimpinski and Hamm NOT Coming...

So much for two new North Stars in the lineup tomorrow night.

Ken Pearson announced this afternoon that Kory Kimpinski and Kyle Hamm will not be reporting to the Battlefords, and instead will await a trade to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Both players are from Brandon, and apparently want to finish their hockey careers close to home.

This marks the second time this season that a player or players have refused to report to the Battlefords. This type of thing now seems to be happening too regularly (not just in the Battlefords) around the entire junior hockey world.

Ken was visibly frustrated with these developments. He was quick to admit that both would have helped this team immensely, but he's going to honor their wishes, and he has already started preliminary discussions with teams out East.

I'm curious North Star Nation, how do you feel about this?

We didn't give up any players for these kids, and the Stars are already a first place team. As far as I'm concerned, this could ultimately be a blessing in disguise. Ken holds their rights, and nothing says that he has to have these kids traded by the end of the day or anything. Ken can buy his time and wait for the perfect offer. He'll get a great return for Kimpinski and Hamm, and sooner or later the Stars will stand to benefit from having these two (albeit temporarily) on their roster.

I'm just having trouble sitting here, digesting the fact that two skilled hockey players (three including Koltyn Miller) would rather play elsewhere than here in North Battleford for a first-place team.

It also strikes me as odd that so many kids are rejecting trades, and letting their egos get in the way. This problem stems from the NHL and flows all the way down to us here in the SJHL.

I realize that there are lots of other factors out there, but whatever happened to the old motto of "Shut Up and Play."

My ultimate stance is this:

I don't want anybody coming to the Battlefords to give a half-assed effort. Ken has made it no secret from Day One that if players don't want to be here, then they're good as gone.

Kory Kimpinski and Kyle Hamm are excellent hockey players, and are probably nice kids who have good intentions. But that doesn't change the fact that they've turned their back on an excellent opportunity.

As for the 23 remaining North Stars?

They're still ranked number two in the SJHL Power Rankings, they haven't cracked the top 15 in the country yet even though they've beaten Weyburn twice (who are ranked number 8). I still get the feeling like the majority of SJHL fans out there are expecting this team to fall back into mediocrity.

Don't count on it.

You're talking about a team has lost once (and not even in regulation) to a divisional team this year. A team that has scored more goals than any other team in the SJHL, and has done so with tremendous balance and depth.

The Humboldt Broncos are in town tomorrow night, and if the first two matchups of the season are any indication, then a big-time battle will be taking place tomorrow night. The Stars are 2-0 against the Broncos this year, and will likely need to keep that trend going. Humboldt could be tied with the Stars when all is said and done tonight.

Another first-place showdown already?

Bring it on. Keep your head up North Star Nation. We've got 23 studs in that dressing room that WANT to be here, and that have played their tales off to start the year. Come out tomorrow night and give this team the support that they deserve.

- Dano


EDIT:


Ken Pearson also announced today that 18-year-old Goaltender Coleman Young will be re-joining the North Stars for the forseeable future. Graham Hilldebrand will be sidelined for at least 2-4 weeks, and Coleman Young had a GREAT pre-season with the North Stars. In fact, he's probably a Star on opening night if not for the return of Kyle Birch.

I've always liked watching Coleman play, and there's no doubt that he'll be able to serve the North Stars well over the next little while. Welcome back Coleman, and lets hope at the same time that Graham Hilldebrand can have a speedy recovery.