ICYMI: North Stars stripped of wins due to technicality

The Daysland North Stars of the Battle River Hockey League were handed a huge blow when notified by the league that because of a carding error they had made, in not having a player carded, classified that player ineligible. The team was then informed they would have to forfeit every game played this year.

The initial discovery was made by Big Valley after a game on Jan. 9 that Big Valley had won in a shoot out. The North Stars had to forfeit their point for that game, and all other games, leaving them 0-12 on the season.

Hockey Alberta rules state an “Ineligible Player” includes, without limitation: A player improperly registered with Hockey Alberta in contradiction of the Bylaws and/or Regulations of Hockey Alberta.

The team has already appealed the decision to Hockey Alberta, and exhausted all avenues of appeal, but the decision stands.

It is unfortunate for the team as it was a computer error at the start of the year, resulting in a long-time player being missed.

Captain Todd Steil commented on the decision, ”It’s unfortunate, and by no means was it intentional. It was a formality issue and because one click of a mouse didn’t happen, we lose our points. That stuff happens and we need to move on.

“Things could be a lot worse if not all teams made the playoffs, but they do and that’s what we have to focus on.

“We have two games left at the end of January. Points obviously don’t matter to us right now but those games need to be used to make a few final adjustments before the real season begins.

“We can’t control who we play or who is going to finish where.

But what we do know is that we are playing in a best-of-three series in two-and-a-half weeks and we can control how prepared we are for that weekend.”

The team will set their goals on the playoff season as they continue their drive for their fifth consecutive BRHL title.

Jae Robbins
Staff Reporter