Mustangs forward Ben Chase gives a spiritual post-win love tap to his late teammate Dylan Ashe; patting Ashe's No. 27 located in the faceoff circles at Northern Lights Palace (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff).

By Aaron Schulze

Mustangs Win For Ashe

Mustangs win season opener, honour the late Dylan Ashe

Nov 7, 2020 | 9:31 AM

There were two points at stake for the Melfort Mustangs in their 2020-21 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season opener against the Flin Flon Bombers, and they got both with a 3-1 win.

Off the ice, there was further context surrounding the Mustangs’ first regular-season game. Not because it was the first amidst the coronavirus pandemic, or that it had been eight months since their season ended abruptly, or that they’re playing under a new set of strict, provincial health guidelines.

Friday, Nov. 6, was a ceremony for their late teammate Dylan Ashe, who tragically passed away over a month before puck drop. It was the Mustangs’ organization opportunity to pay tribute to Ashe on and off the ice.

In a pre-game ceremony, Ashe’s mother Della, father Mike, younger brother Riley, and younger sister Kolbee joined the Mustangs on ice. The Ashe’s watched Dylan’s teammates and friends Seth McCulloch and Colton Schell raise their son and brother’s No. 27 to the rafters of Northern Lights Palace. Then, they brought his No. 27 Mustangs jersey to the stands to watch the game.

(left to right) Dylan Ashe’s mother Della, father Mike, younger sister Kolbee, younger brother Riley, joined Mustangs President Chad Elliott during a pre-game ceremony (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff).

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“It was really difficult seeing Dylan’s number up in the rafters and not on the ice,” Della told northeastNOW. “Everything was really nice. The Mustangs have been so supportive and have done such a great job. All the words from the boys really mean a lot.”

Della said Dylan would probably be laughing at all the mistakes and penalties his teammates made throughout the Mustangs’ 3-1 win, but he would ultimately be proud more than anything. She said it was fitting that McCulloch and Schell connected on a goal after they raised Dylan’s No. 27 to the rafters.

“You don’t realize how close the guys get,” Della said. “I told them with [Dylan’s memorial service] that I wasn’t having it without them, because they spent more time with him last year than I did. We know how it affects us, but you don’t know how it affects them and what they’re feeling. It’s good to get back on the ice and have some hockey going because I know that’s what they all want to be doing.”

When she stared at Dylan’s No. 27 in the rafters, Della said she hoped kids see it and take away that they must be a good person if they want to achieve their dreams.

Dylan Ashe’s No. 27 will forever hang in the rafters of Northern Lights Palace in Melfort (Aaron Schulze/northeastNOW Staff).

With files from Mat Barrett/northeastNOW Staff

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow