The Mustang fan section on Wednesday against the Oakville Blades has only grown since, as Melfort will be in today's National Final (submitted photo/Jesiah Pask)

By Ben Tompkins

Support in Oakville

Melfort Mustangs fans travel across country to cheer at Centennial Cup

May 19, 2024 | 11:58 AM

The Melfort Mustangs are now just one win away from their first National Championship in club history.

This will be the organization’s biggest game since 1996 – the last time they made it to the Centennial Cup final when they finished second. So, fans aren’t wasting the opportunity to travel from Saskatchewan to Ontario to cheer their team on in what will become an historic game.

“This year has been amazing. I’ve been on the board for seven years now and we’ve never made it this far. To see the fan support throughout the playoffs, and now at the Centennial Cup, it’s just incredible. It’s been a lot of fun and quite the ride,” explained team board member and billet, Connie Carter who is in Oakville, Ont.

“I told the boys as this week has gone on that the games were gonna feel different because we had a lot of people coming up. I think there are only about four or five billets that aren’t here, which is pretty crazy.”

Melfort fans at the Centennial Cup in Oakville, Ont. (Facebook/Melfort Mustangs)

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Whether it’s billets, board members, family, friends, or just general supporters, there has been a ton of people who have taken the time out of their busy lives to support the team.

Flying halfway across the country isn’t an easy thing to do on a whim, but according to Carter, it wasn’t up for debate.

“There wasn’t really any planning or getting together to talk about it. It was more just asking other people if they were coming too. I think once people saw how good the boys were doing, that erased any hesitation that may have been there. The thing is we’ve had this level of support all season, so I wasn’t exactly surprised by how many people have shown up,” she added.

“The nice thing too is that we’ve been able to take in the sights around Oakville during the off days. I went to a Blue Jays game with a couple of people, some have gone to Niagara Falls, and others to the Hockey Hall of Fame. There’s been plenty to do, so it’s been more than worth it.”

Some of the fans that are here haven’t been Mustangs fans for as long as Carter, but they are just as passionate. Fans have been sitting in a large group during games with their Mustangs jerseys and flags waving, cheering as loud as possible. Among them is Dean Friedt and his family from Prince Albert who are supporting their son, playoff MVP Chase Friedt-Mohr. The D-man joined the Mustangs this year for his last season in the SJHL.

“When the Mustangs started to play, it was electric. There was no quit at all in this team and these players have the backing of great fans, families, billets, as well as some new fans who have jumped on the Mustangs bandwagon. We are so proud of this group and to watch Chase succeed thanks to the opportunity head coach Trevor Blevins and assistant coach Tye Scherger have given him. This is a very special group of players,” Friedt told northeastNOW from Oakville.

Playoff MVP Chase Friedt-Mohr and his family after winning the SJHL championship earlier this month. (Submitted photo/Dean Friedt)

“His goal was to win a championship, and here we are. He has said from the beginning of being a Mustang, this team consists of an outstanding group of players, with great coaches who have led this group through major adversity. I would also like to thank at least 100 parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, families and friends, could be more, who are here supporting this team.”

Prior to the final game, Hockey Canada announced the Centennial Cup award winners. Mustangs defender Leith Olafson was named ‘Best Defender’ at the tournament.

Fans in Oakville and back home in Saskatchewan will be cheering on the Mustangs in the Centennial Cup final starting at 1 p.m. Saskatchewan time when they take on the Collingwood Blues of the Ontario Junior Hockey League. You can catch all the action on 105 CJVR radio.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8