The Battlefords North Stars are sending another player south.
It is more like returning another player to the United States since Grant Fahnhorst played the majority of his hockey in rinks in the United States after being raised in Lakeville, Minn. After half a season with the Battlefords North Stars he has impressed enough scouts and coaches to warrant a chance to play with another team in his home country.
The North Stars graduated Fahnhorst after he notched one goal and two assists in 19 games. It isn't the offensive presence Fahnhorst offers that warranted the scholarship to the Hamline Pipers, but the defensive play the 64? defender brings.
He was a key part of the North Stars' penalty kill down the stretch after being picked up in a December deal with the NAHL's Owatonna Express for future considerations.
"His physical presence and stay at home style was a steady influence on the North Stars blueline," says North Stars head coach and general manager Ken Pearson of the 20-year-old Fahnhorst.
The Pipers play in NCAA Div. III hockey in St. Paul, Minn. in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Fahnhorst becomes the third North Star and 25th SJHL player to commit to play college hockey in the United States next season.
The other North Stars are Chad Filteau, who committed to Sacred Heart and Blake Peake, who accepted a scholarship to AIC.
Along with Fahnhorst, another former North Star committed this past week to a school and hockey for next season. This one is in Canada, but it is in the eastern part of the country where Alexandre Leclerc is from. Leclerc committed to play at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ont.
Leclerc was traded to the Nipawin Hawks in 2009 after a season and half with the North Stars. Last year, Leclerc broke out with 18 goals and 24 assists in 53 games with the Hawks.
