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(Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)
SJHL/MJHL Showcase

Nine Mustangs selected for SJHL/MJHL Showcase

Jan 13, 2020 | 2:00 PM

There will be plenty of Melfort Mustangs representation on Jan. 21 and 22 in Regina for the SJHL/MJHL Showcase as the best of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) take on the best of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

Two teams made up of the best 1999-born and 2000-born players will be in Regina along with one team made up of players born in 2001 or earlier.

Six Mustangs will suit up for Team Kunitz, coached by Mustangs bench boss Trevor Blevins, and Battlefords North Stars Head Coach Brayden Klimosko.

G – Shawn Parkinson (Victoria, B.C.)

Shawn Parkinson has been stellar in the Mustangs crease this season, building off his excellent 2018/2019 season. In 27 games, Parkinson has a 15-8-2-1 record, a 2.63 goals-against-average, and a .916 save percentage. He’s also played the fourth most minutes in the SJHL.

D – Nolan Kadachuk (Melfort, Sask.)

One of the Mustangs Assistant Captains this season, Kadachuk has already notched season highs in goals (five), assists (25), and points (30). He currently ranks tied for fourth in defencemen scoring in the league and is the only Mustang to play in all 39 games up to this point in the season.

D – Alex Rondeau (Drummondville, Que.)

After bursting onto the scene last season, Alex Rondeau slid up to the Mustangs’ top pair and fit right in. In 31 games, Rondeau has seven goals and 15 assists for 22 points, good enough for a tie for ninth in the SJHL. Unfortunately, Rondeau missed the past handful of games for the Mustangs, but is expected to be back soon.

F – Kyle Bosch (Kindersley, Sask.)

After coming to the Mustangs in November, Kyle Bosch fit right in with Kenzie Arnold in the Mustangs’ top six forwards. He’s played 12 games in a Mustang uniform and has nine assists. He’s got 33 points in 39 games overall, which includes his time in Kindersley with the Klippers to start the year.

F – Tian Rask (Saskatoon, Sask.)

Tian Rask was a Dec. 1 add for Trevor Blevins as the Mustangs brought in the former Canmore Eagle. Rask played seven games for four points to his credit. He had 97 points in 136 Alberta Junior Hockey League games prior to coming to Melfort.

F – Kenzie Arnold (Dodsland, Sask.)

Kenzie Arnold led the Melfort Mustangs in scoring for most of the season. In his second season with the team, he has 16 goals and 16 assists for 32 points. Arnold also spent his first two SJHL seasons in Nipawin with the Hawks, winning and SJHL title in 2017/2018.

Meanwhile, another three Mustangs will play for Team Schwartz at the event. They’ll be coached by Estevan Bruins Head Coach Chris Lewgood, and Flin Flon Bombers bench boss Mike Reagan.

G – Tanner Martin (St. Brieux, Sask.)

As the back-up to Shawn Parkinson in the Mustangs net, Tanner Martin is excellent for Melfort. In 14 games, he is 7-5-1-0, with a 2.79 goals-against-average, and a .896 save percentage to go along with two shutouts. He was the Midget AAA Goalie of the Year in 2018/2019 as he helped lead the Tisdale Trojans to a bronze medal at the Telus Cup.

D – Lucas Ochitwa (Wadena, Sask.)

The former Swift Current Legionnaires Midget AAA captain seemed to adjust superbly to the Junior A game. Lucas Ochitwa has three goals and eight assists for 11 points on top of 104 penalty minutes — the most on the Mustangs. He ranks tied for fifth among rookie defencemen in scoring.

F – Ben Tkachuk (Gronlid, Sask.)

One of just four 2002-born players heading to the showcase from the SJHL, Ben Tkachuk has been very good for the Melfort Mustangs. He’s six goals and four assists for 10 points this season as a player who could still be playing Midget AAA hockey.

The Mustangs are tied for the most representatives at the event this year with nine. The Battlefords North Stars are also sending nine players to the Showcase.

mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6