(Photo graphic courtesy: Mat Barrett, Facebook/Swift Current Broncos)

By Ben Tompkins

We Bid Farewell

Long-time Mustangs voice steps up to WHL level

Jul 24, 2023 | 3:49 PM

The Melfort Mustangs will begin the 2023/24 SJHL season with a new voice, for the first time in more than six years.

Mat Barrett arrived in Melfort in April of 2017, taking over the last bit of the Nipawin Hawks 2017 playoff run, before becoming the play-by-play announcer for the Stangs to begin the 2017/18 season.

He has since been everything to the organization, until very recently, when he got the call to move up the hockey ranks.

“To get my shot in broadcasting in Melfort, I couldn’t have picked a better spot, just an amazing community that was patient with me when I first got here as a young broadcaster that was still learning and developing,” Barrett told northeastNOW.

“It was an exciting first few months and first couple of years trying to figure out how to do this on my own. Just the community, the people, and the team were amazing, and there’s just not enough good things I can say about Melfort and my experiences over the last six years.”

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Barrett has now finished his tenure with the blue and green (Friday was his last day) and will be moving on to the Western Hockey League (WHL).

He has agreed to a job with the Swift Current Broncos as their broadcast and community relations manager.

“I never thought when I was some young kid calling hockey games at Mount Royal University that I’d be 25 years old calling WHL hockey games. It’s kind of a dream come true and it kind of feels like a whirlwind at times,” Barrett added.

“Almost have a bit of imposter syndrome sometimes, like what makes me so special? It’s pretty surreal to be able to contribute a lot of success to Melfort and kind of keep Melfort with me, as I take that next step into the WHL.”

Barrett also worked at the radio station in town for his first four years in Melfort (CJVR/750 Beach Radio/northeastNOW) as a news and sports reporter.

Meanwhile, in his last two years as the play-by-play broadcaster, he held a direct role with the team as their director of marketing and business.

The Edmonton, Alta. product explained he’ll more than miss the community and the organization, however, he’s happy he’s staying in Saskatchewan as that means he’s not too far away.

Barrett will also continually cherish the lifelong relationships and unforgettable memories he created here, both on and off the ice… and it’s safe to say the club feels the exact same way.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8