Battlefords North Stars defenceman Woody Klassen was on the bubble for making the Greenville Road Warriors this season and now is on step closer to being in the East Coast Hockey League for the 2012-12 campaign.

Klassen, the Watrous product, signed a professional contract to play with the Road Warriors, who are the affiliate team of the Connecticut Whale of the American Hockey League and the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League.

Klassen has been a member of the North Stars for four seasons and during that time has earned recognition as the team’s top defenceman twice, the most dedicated player and most recently the North Stars’ playoff MVP.

In 191 games, Klassen has contributed 34 goals and 92 assists along with 257 penalty minutes. Klassen served as an assistant captain with the North Stars and had three seasons with 34 points or more with the North Stars including this season where he put up 34 points in just 36 games.

Following the 2010-11 season Klassen joined his brother Sam in Greenville and played four games with the Road Runners. Klassen also joined the Road Runners for the early part of the 2011-12 season before being released from the Road Runners to finish his last season of junior hockey in the Battlefords.

“Woody is one of the most dedicated and hardest working players I have had the opportunity to work with as a coach,” comments North Stars assistant coach Blair Atcheynum. “There is no ceiling on how far Woody can develop in this profession. His positive attitude, commitment and will to succeed, will win over the support of his coaches and peers at the next level.”

It is expected Klassen will train with the North Stars until Greenville camp opens in late September.