Former North Star & Current Viper Nearly National Champion:

This is posted on the North Stars website:

Former North Star nearly National Champion

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

When Battlefords North Stars fans heard Dane Muench could be returning to the SJHL in January at the trade deadline, the buzz excited the Battlefords.
After all, he was one of the best rookies in the SJHL during the 2008-09 season, notching 24 goals and 10 assists in 50 games while also being named a league all-star.

After being released from the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats, where Muench had two goals and five assists in 23 games, North Stars head coach and general manager Ken Pearson made the decision to trade Muench to the BCHL and acquire future considerations for the talented offensive forward.

Muench joined the Vernon Vipers and played with the team for 15 regular season games earning a goal and five assists in 15 games.

Muench also played two playoff games and scored once. The Vipers continued their season after winning the BCHL and later qualifying for the RBC Cup that was played in Camrose, Alta. April 30 to May 8.

Vernon went undefeated in the preliminary round, beating the host Camrose Kodiaks 4-2, the Western representatives Portage Terriers 5-2 and the Eastern reps, the Pembroke Lumber Kings, 5-3.

In the semi final, Vernon beat the Wellington Dukes 4-1, giving them four wins against the other four teams in the tournament and an undefeated record heading into the final.

The championship game was a rematch between Vernon and Pembroke and it was the Lumber Kings skating to a 2-0 win on national TV.

Muench’s second chance at the 2010-11 season ended a game short of a national championship, but he did notch two assists while playing four games at the RBC Cup.

If healthy, the 1992-born forward from Martensville could become one of the most offensive and creative players in any league he plays in. Getting to that point will take a summer of hard work and dedication to potentially build his young talent into an elite junior hockey player.

As for the North Stars, it is expected in the coming weeks an announcement will be made on what those future considerations will be to complete the Muench trade.

By Trent Cey

Battlefords News-Optimist Reporter