(Photo courtesy/Broad Leaf Media, Facebook)

By Ben Tompkins

SJHL Nominees

Mustangs players honoured by award nominations, focused more on team success the rest of the way

Mar 5, 2024 | 5:24 PM

Four Melfort Mustangs players have the opportunity to walk away with major awards this season.

James Venne, Chase Friedt-Mohr, Leith Olafson, and Zac Somers could compile a total of five awards if they go perfect.

Venne has been nominated as an MVP and Goalie of the Year finalist, with Friedt-Mohr being named a Defenceman of the Year nominee, while Olafson has the chance to become the Community Ambassador of the Year and Somers is one of five Most Sportsmanlike Players of the Year on the list.

For James Venne, he is currently in his third season with the Mustangs and is tops in a laundry list of categories.

He is third in goal-against-average, first in wins, first in minutes, tied for first in shutouts, fourth in saves, sixth in save percentage, tied for first in shootout wins and first in shootout save percentage at a perfect 1.000.

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Believe it or not, when asked about his season so far, the 19-year-old told northeastNOW it hasn’t been perfect, but credits his teammates for the successes.

“It’s been really good, but there’s definitely been some ups and downs, January is really hot, February not so much, but I feel like I’ve played pretty consistently, played a lot, and getting wins is what matters,” he said.

“Definitely feels really good to be nominated, put in a lot of hard work over the summer and being able to come back here, we got a good group of guys and it doesn’t happen without them… it’d be nice to win, I think it’s like a little cherry on top, but a championship this season is what really matters.”

As for Friedt-Mohr, he was new to the Melfort group this season, coming in with tons of WHL experience.

The Prince Albert native is third in points among D-men, fourth in goals, and tied for second in assists.

“I really had no expectations for myself, just wanted to kind of come in and play my game, Blevs gave full confidence in me right off the start, so it’s been a really good season for myself but also as a team… it would be a good feather in my cap for sure, but the other other two are great, so it’s just a matter of who wins it,” he explained.

“I’ve got a lot of help around me with great players, especially my D partner Leith Olafson and I think we’ve both been playing really well this year.”

His teammate in Olafson has been one of the longest-tenured members of the team, one of the reasons he’s the captain and the Community Ambassador.

With advancing as a finalist, he has more money to possibly win for the Maude Burke School.

“Seeing my name up there as one of the finalists is pretty cool and it’s exciting for the community too if I can come up with a win with that… the three years I’ve been here it’s been a second home to me, it’s awesome here, I love the community and giving back is just an amazing way to end it.”

Somers is the final Stang on the nominee list, having 44 points and 32 penalty minutes.

Olafson added it’s great to have diversity among his teammates in the skillset they offer to the team.

“Getting the recognition, all the guys getting being finalists for those awards it’s awesome. We’ve been on a roll this year and hopefully, we keep it going and that recognition is just great for everyone.”

The winners will be announced on March 18.

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Ben.Tomkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8