Gerein’s versatility invaluable to North Stars

“I’m more comfortable back [on the point] on the power play definitely than up front,” Gerein said after practice on Thursday. “So [last week] it was kind of nice actually being back there, taking a couple one-timers and using my shot.”

North Stars head coach Nate Bedford feels Gerein’s leadership is a huge asset, even though he doesn’t wear a letter, and he also finds Gerein to be a versatile player.

“We feel like we can put him in any situation,” Bedford said. “He’s probably one of our best penalty killers. He’s a strong power play guy and good in the dressing room. You can’t ask for much more than that.”

Gerein also never seems to get tired, which is noticeable when you watch the six-foot, 175 pound forward wreaking havoc on the forecheck shift after shift.

“He’s in great shape,” Bedford said. “He’s a true hockey player. He takes care of himself on and off the ice.”

Bedford is the type coach who preaches effort and doing the “little things” right, like blocking shots, getting physical and being defensively sound.

That’s exactly the type of game Gerein prides himself on.

“If I can rip a shot, I’ll try to pick a corner, but other than that I just go out and try to hit guys [and] do the little things right,” Gerein said. “It feels really good when you hit guys and people are complimenting you on it. I don’t know if it’s just a mental game but it definitely helps you to keep going harder and harder.”

Gerein played for the North Stars last year under five-year coach Kevin Hasselberg, scoring 13 points in 47 games.

When Hasselberg left in late August for an opportunity to coach in Florida in the Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL), Gerein was surprised, as were many.

“I did not see it coming at all,” Gerein said. “Good for him for chasing his dreams. I can’t be more happy for him.”

Gerein lists Hasselberg among his role models, along with his dad Duane – who coached him through minor hockey – and former AAA Stars coach Martin Smith.

He also says Bedford has become a role model, even if his coaching style is different than Hasselberg’s was.

“They’re both great coaches,” he said. “Kevin [Hasselberg] was all about the details and Nate [Bedford] is about working hard. As long as you’re working hard good things will come.”

The North Stars are about to embark on the long trip to Flin Flon, where they’ll face the Bombers twice in 27 hours.

The Bombers, especially at home, have a reputation of playing a rough and tumble game, a style that helped them beat the North Stars in last year’s playoffs in the second round in just five games.

This weekend’s meeting between the two will the first games since that series, which has Gerein pumped.

“I’ve been waiting for this all year. I can’t wait to steal two wins in their barn,” Gerein said. “They like to hit and work hard but I think if we can get a couple goals on them, they’ll just fold.

“I don’t like them at all,” he said.

The Bombers are out to a fast start to the 2016-17 season, at 6-1-1.

But of the four teams Flin Flon has beaten so far, only one currently has a record above .500. In fact, the combined record of the four teams they’ve won against this year is just 7-20-4.

The North Stars are coming off back-to-back wins against Melfort, 4-0 on Saturday and 3-1 on Tuesday. They are 6-3-0 this season.

Friday’s edition of NorSask North Stars radio can be heard live on 93.3 the Rock, with the Ultra Print pre-game show getting underway at 6:15 p.m.

Nathan Kanter is battlefordsNOW’s sports reporter and voice of the Battlefords North Stars. He can be reached at Nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca or tweet him @NathanKanter11

by Nathan Kanter

Gerein’s versatility invaluable to North Stars

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