Photo Courtesy: Aaron Schulze northeastNOW (Dylan Ashe's number 27, engraved on ice surface in Northern Lights Palace)

By Ben Tompkins

Honouring Dylan Ashe

Riley Ashe remembers older brother, plays for Mustangs wearing number 27

Sep 14, 2021 | 10:00 AM

Riley Ashe, younger brother to former Melfort Mustang Dylan Ashe, honoured his brother this past weekend, after playing his first game as a Mustang while wearing his brother’s number 27.

“I didn’t know that I would be wearing the number 27 until I got there and saw it in my stall,” Riley said. “That’s when it really hit me and when it became a bit emotional. I was just super excited to go out and play in it and it was super meaningful to me.”

Dylan, who played one season with Melfort, tragically passed away last September after a single-vehicle rollover.

“I remember driving up Friday nights just to come watch him play,” Riley said.

Riley, who is only 15 years old, got the special call up from head coach and general manager, Trevor Blevins, as a way to honour his brother.

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“The boys were probably the best part,” Riley said. “They’re all friendly and nice. They all remind me a lot of my brother. It was nice just to be out there and in the atmosphere with them.”

Riley’s parents and sister were there to watch the game on Saturday night, in which the Mustangs beat the Nipawin Hawks 6-1.

“They were super excited,” Riley said. “My sister doesn’t get to see me play very much, so having her there meant a lot to me. Just being able to play that good of a game in front of them, wearing number 27, really meant a lot.”

Riley scored the first goal of the game on his first shot and assisted on the second goal, as he would go on to finish as the player of the game. He also had his name read before the game, as he was a part of the starting lineup.

“It didn’t really hit me until I was standing out there on the ice and then my name was introduced in the starting lineup and I got a huge cheer,” Riley said. “That was when it really hit me and I started to get nervous.”

Riley shared the forward line with Ben Tkachuk and Seth McCulloch, who both played with Dylan, along with McCulloch who shared a billet family with Dylan as well.

“Playing with some of his really good best friends going over there, who both played with him, it was just awesome and really fun.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @BenTompkins_8