Mark Snarr. (Submitted photo/Melfort Mustangs)

By Ben Tompkins

Christmas Came Early

Mustangs acquire back-to-back captains within 24 hours

Nov 23, 2021 | 10:10 AM

It seems as though the Mustangs are going for it all this year, as in the past 24 hours, they have grabbed two separate captains in two separate deals, from two other teams in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

Both the Kindersley Klippers and the La Ronge Ice Wolves, no longer have a team captain, as they are now both newly acquired Melfort Mustangs.

In a deal that was announced yesterday, the Mustangs have added 2001-born defenceman Mark Snarr from the Kindersley Klippers as well as a fifth-round pick in the 2022 SJHL Draft.

In exchange, the Mustangs have traded 2002-born defenceman Brayden Koch and 2005-born forward Karson Blanchette to the Klippers.

Snarr, out of Calgary, Alta., was the Klippers captain this season, and played in all 24 games to this point. In those games, he has tallied two goals, and added seven assists for nine points, the most on the Klippers by a defenceman.

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“We are very excited to add Mark to our group,” head coach and general manager Trevor Blevins said. “He brings leadership, toughness, solid defensive play and an offensive presence to our blue line.”

In his SJHL career, Snarr has two goals and nine assists for 11 points in 78 games for Kindersley.

Koch played in seven games with the Mustangs this season scoring once and adding two assists.

Blanchette was the Mustang’s third-round pick in the 2020 SJHL Draft and is currently with the Prince Albert Mintos.

And a deal that was announced this morning, the Mustangs added their second, former SJHL captain in the last 24 hours.

Melfort acquires 2001-born forward Nolan Doell from the La Ronge Ice Wolves in exchange for 2003-born defenceman Liam McInnis, 2003-born forward Tye Evans and a Player Development Fee (PDF).

Nolan Doell (Submitted photo/Melfort Mustangs)

Martensville, Sask. product Doell, has played in 25 games for the Ice Wolves this season, scoring 15 goals, and adding 11 assists for 26 points, which is tied for eighth in the SJHL.

“Nolan has been a great player in our league for the past two seasons and will fit right into our program,” Blevins said. “He is a clear difference-maker. Not only does he bring offence, but he is a responsible player in all 200 feet of the ice.”

Doell is a former fourth-round pick of the Ice Wolves from the 2016 SJHL draft and has played in 69 career SJHL games between 2017 and this season. He has a career mark of 48 points in 69 games, as well as three assists in four playoff games.

Doell also began his Junior A career in 2019/2020 with the Whitecourt Wolverines of the AJHL where he had four points in 16 games before returning to Saskatchewan.

McInnis, out of Regina, Sask., played in 17 games for the Mustangs, scoring one goal and adding five assists. Evans, from Grand Prairie, Alta., scored two goals and added one assist in 13 games with Melfort.

With the pair of moves, the Mustangs look to get back on top of the league, as they were at the beginning of the season before injuries played a big part in their around .500 play ever since.

Not only do they add two healthy bodies, who will likely play first-line minutes, but they add experience, leadership, hockey smarts, top-notch scoring and lockdown defensive play.

These will be extremely valuable assets, as the Mustangs look to push their way deep into this year’s playoffs, with a current total of nine 20-year olds on the roster.

In a press release sent to northeastnow, the Mustangs welcomed both Mark and Nolan to Melfort, as well as sent out their thanks to Liam, Tye, Brayden and Karson for their time with the team.

The Mustang’s host the Melville Millionaires tomorrow night, Wednesday, Nov. 23, at the Northern Lights Palace, with puck-drop at 7:30.

Both newly acquired players are yet to be confirmed, whether or not they will make their Mustang’s debuts, in said contest.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8