Tkachuk in action with the Mustangs prior to the COVID-19 pause. He had three goals in five games. (Facebook/Broad Leaf Media)

By Mat Barrett

SJHL is Back

‘Can’t explain how excited I am’: Excitement building for Mustangs’ Tkachuk after SJHL’s announcement on season

Jun 9, 2021 | 12:05 PM

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s announcement regarding their season being able to open on Sept. 24 is a welcome sight to players and fans alike.

The league released important dates on Tuesday, June 8 and Melfort Mustangs forward Ben Tkachuk said it sort of feels a bit like a light at the end of a long tunnel.

“Haven’t heard a lot of good news coming out of hockey recently in the past six months,” he said. “So it’s good to hear something on the good side and I’m just excited. I can’t explain how excited I am to get back on the ice with the boys.”

Heading into the 2020/2021 season, there was lots of uncertainty regarding when things would begin and when players could come to their centres. Tkachuk said hearing some more concrete information like the important dates was something extremely important as he prepares for another season with the Mustangs.

“September 24, we know we’re going to be back on the ice, and back playing games,” Tkachuk said. “Which is obviously something to build towards, and something we can work towards.”

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Tkachuk said he was also the first one to break the news to some of his teammates and said they’re also quite excited for what is to come.

With the Mustangs only playing five games prior to the COVID-19 pause in November, it’s been a much longer than normal and a strange offseason. However, Tkachuk said it hasn’t been as strange as he thought, but he’s been doing his best to stay in shape and is hoping to get back on the ice shortly.

“Just been adapting to what has come,” Tkachuk said. “And I think I’ve done a pretty good job of it.”

Tkachuk is heading into his 19-year-old season, his third year with the Mustangs. He said the roster looks good so far for the coming season and he’s ready to be a part of a special group in Melfort.

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mat.barrett@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @matbarrett6