The Mustangs celebrate their win on March 11 in Estevan prior to the shutdown of the SJHL. (Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff)

By Mat Barrett

Drop the Puck!

Mustangs set to open regular season, return to 105CJVR and Beach Radio

Nov 5, 2020 | 5:00 PM

By the time the puck drops on Friday for the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s (SJHL) regular season, it will have been 241 days since the last competitive hockey game was played by the Melfort Mustangs.

It was on that day, the Mustangs had defeated the Estevan Bruins 2-1 in game four of their quarter-final playoff series on March 11 to take a 3-1 series lead before the league shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It’s been a long haul for SJHL teams as the uncertainty of the pandemic pushed the season back, and ultimately led to a 50 game schedule that looks a bit different than usual years. The Mustangs have had their players around for just over a month now, practicing and getting ready for the season, whenever it were to begin. Head coach and general manager Trevor Blevins said the energy level has been high, and he’s happy to see the team back on the ice.

“We have a great group again, for sure, we’re excited,” he said. “We’ve got a nice mix of veterans, and young guys coming in that we’re excited for their play and to get going.”

Melfort’s roster, which is expanded to 26 players this year for reasons related to COVID-19, features 10 returning players with four of them being main stalwarts on defence with Andrew Hunt, Vaclav Prospal, Gabe Odowichuk, and Lucas Ochitwa. The six returnees at forward include Colton Schell, Ben Tkachuk, Adam Nobes, Ben Chase, Marco Lopez, and Seth McCulloch.

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Blevins also brought in some Junior A experience over the offseason as well, adding forwards Tye Scherger recently, and trading for Leighton Burns-Marion in the summer. Scherger, a former first-round SJHL pick, spent last season with the Olds Grizzly’s. Burns-Marion is going into his final season of Junior hockey and played the last two seasons for the Calgary Canucks.

With the Western Hockey League (WHL) allowing some of their players to join junior clubs on a loan basis, Blevins brought in 336 games worth of WHL experience with forwards Ethan Regnier, and Zack Smith along with defenceman Alex Moar.

“We’re very excited for the idea of this group to be creative offensively,” _{-Trevor Blevins}

Between the pipes, things seemed a bit cloudy for the Mustangs heading into the offseason as Shawn Parkinson graduated, and Tanner Martin wasn’t returning to the club. As a result, the Mustangs have two new goalies to meet this season in 2001-born Steven Bacovsky, and 2002-born rookie Joel Favreau. It’s still up in the air who will get the most action, but both fared well in pre-season action as the Mustangs split their four games with the Nipawin Hawks.

There’s also a number of protocols that need to be followed by every team in the SJHL to make sure games can go off without a hitch and everyone can stay healthy. Blevins said his team is adjusting well and they’re taking things as they come.

“We have to, it’s a matter of whether we play hockey or we don’t play hockey,” he said. “Everyone’s got to buy in to staying safe and protecting others, and if we can do that, the chances of continuing our season are going to be that much greater.”

Only 150 fans will be allowed in the arenas come opening night as the Mustangs face the Flin Flon Bombers. Flin Flon will come to the Northern Lights Palace for Friday night’s tilt before the two clubs head to the snowy northern Manitoba town for a matchup at the Whitney Forum. Blevins said the Bombers will be a good team offensively, and they’ll have to be ready for that and the physicality that comes with playing that team as well.

“I think we’ve got to make sure we’re tough to play against defensively as a group,” he said. “And that’s going to be key in both rinks.”

The Mustangs will also be honouring the late Dylan Ashe at their home opener on Friday night.

Where to Listen

With the limit of people coming into the rink, fans will need to experience Mustangs hockey elsewhere. For every road game of the 2020/2021 season, the Mustangs will be on Saskatchewan’s Beach Radio and 105CJVR. Mat Barrett will have the call for each game.

Mustangs director of business and marketing Jaret Schneider said it’s going to be a different and difficult year for everyone.

“With limited capacities in arenas, it’s crucial for us to have another avenue for fans to enjoy the games,” he said. “Being back with CJVR and Saskatchewan’s Beach Radio is really exciting for us, not only to be able to follow the boys on the road.”

Things kick off for Cheyenne GM Melfort Mustangs hockey as Melfort battles Flin Flon on Saturday, Nov. 7 on 105CJVR.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6