(Photo courtesy/Broad Leaf Media, Facebook)

By Ben Tompkins

Early Opportunities

Mustangs young guns playing for future, veteran teammates

Apr 24, 2024 | 10:56 AM

It’s no secret the Melfort Mustangs have dealt with plenty of injuries this season, which can be looked at in two different ways.

First off, it’s obviously a shame that some of these 17 to 20-year-olds have had their seasons cut short here and there, as no one ever wants to see someone not at full health and strength.

On the other hand, however, these injuries have created adversity and holes that must be filled in the lineup, which this team has taken in stride all season long.

From 18-year-old rookies like Austin Shepherd, Nolan Patterson, Brayden Westerlund, Kaleb Binner and Bo Eisner, to 16 to 17-year-old affiliate players (AP) such as Jaxon Kehrig, Tristin Ziola, Owen Nelson, and Tao Flory, each has seen way more ice time than they could have ever imagined, and are constantly travelling with the team on road trips, especially during this playoff run, and are making the absolute most of it.

For Jaxon Kehrig in particular, he spent the majority of his season with his hometown Tisdale Trojans, putting up 61 points in a combined 52 games.

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His year was supposed to be over just over a month ago when his team was eliminated in the second round of the SMAAAHL playoffs, but his season got extended, having most notably suited up for the Stangs in Games 1 and 2 of the SJHL Finals, where he registered his first career SJHL playoff point and playoff goal.

“It felt great, I was a little nervous coming to this rink but as the game went on I felt more and more comfortable. It was obviously nice to beat them, made me feel a lot more comfortable playing in this league and even in this rink, so my head was in a way better spot for Game 2,” Kehrig told northeastNOW.

“I’ve had a few call-ups to Melfort this year, but this is by far the most exciting one. I had never played in the Whitney Forum until now, so it’s been a great experience all around and I’m ready to keep helping this team… I had never been with a team even close to this long, so it’s great to keep playing and extending the season.”

Not only are opportunities like these immensely helping Kehrig’s future, as he’s already committed to the Blue and Green for next season, but it’s also giving him the responsibility to put it all out on the line for his 20-year-old teammates.

Kehrig, for Games 1 and 2, was on a line with fellow Trojan teammate Tristin Ziola, while centred by four-year SJHL Veteran Logan Cox.

For both Kehrig and Ziola, that meant they were getting their first kick at the can while playing alongside a guy whose Junior A hockey days are fast approaching an end, one way or another.

That means the pressure of making sure those limited days are the best of Cox’s career, while also soaking up as much knowledge and experience from him, as is humanely possible.

“I love playing with Ziola; he’s just a great player who works his butt off, and he’s just a great guy to play with. As for Cox, he’s experienced, so we can really rely on him, and any mistakes we make, he’s got our back, so it’s really nice to have him on our line,” added Kehrig.

“Me, Ziola, and the rest of the APs, we’re all in the same boat whether we’re on the ice together or just watching, so it’s nice to have those guys around you that play in the same league as you, it’s nice to have them to talk with and just hang around with, they make you feel more comfortable. We also all know what’s at stake, especially for the older guys, so we want to help them win together.”

Games 3 and 4 go on Wednesday and Thursday night in Melfort, as the Mustangs hold a 2-0 series lead over the Flin Flon Bombers.

Kehrig, Ziola, and Nelson have all produced their first career SJHL playoff points and goals this postseason, as they will continue to wait and see whether or not they crack the lineup and can help make a difference on home ice.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8