BY JAMES COOK
TRAVERSE CITY -- A couple fewer spots are up for grabs at this weekend's final open tryout camp, and that's just fine by Anthony Palumbo.
The Traverse City North Stars coach and general manager learned that standout forwards Kyle Bonis and Kyle Jean will be returning to the team next season.
"I thought they were good enough they could make a team (in the USHL)," Palumbo said. "We were planning without them, but when you get them back, it's a nice bonus."
Bonis averaged over a point a game and was third on the team in scoring after joining the squad about a third of the way through the season. He was tied for the team lead in goals with Nate Urbaniak (25).
Jean scored 11 points last year between Traverse City and Marquette, including two game-winning goals, as the Stars finished the season 23-23-12.
While TC has plenty of forwards returning this season, one area the teams is looking to solidify is one of the two goaltender spots.
Brandon Stephenson is back after going 8-13-5 with a 3.26 GAA and .890 save percentage. He split time with Chris Paliafito -- who is unlikely to return -- and the two had almost identical stats.
"Goaltending is a concern," Palumbo said. "With it looking like Chris isn't going to return, we'll need another one to go with Brandon."
Former Traverse City West netminder Dallas Kniss is in the mix, along with eight others in camp. Former Traverse City Central goalie Tyler Stricker and Bay Reps goaltender Andrew Mills have already earned spots at the team's invitation-only camp July 25-27.
The Stars exclusively selected defensemen in the league draft, and all five will be in camp along with tendered blueliners Bo Jacobs and Dan Radke.
Other local players expected to play in this weekend's camp are TC West's Mitch Snider, Vinnie Pietrangelo and David Hanrahan and TC Central's Luke Stricker.
Northern exposure
NORTH STARS CAMP
Friday, June 13
5-5:15 p.m.: Player/Parent orientation
6:30-7:50 p.m.: Green vs. Black
8-9:20 p.m.: White vs. Gold
Saturday, June 14
9-10:20 a.m.: Green vs. White
10:30-11:50 a.m.: Black vs. Gold
7-8:20 p.m.: Black vs. White
8:30-9:50 p.m.: Green vs. Gold
Sunday, June 15
10 am-Noon: All-Star Game
