Melfort Mustangs' forward and former Tisdale Trojan Tristin Ziola (Wild Moon Photography/Facebook)

By Ben Tompkins

Hockey Saskatchewan

Pair of Mustangs receive Hockey Sask Development Scholarships

Oct 10, 2024 | 6:00 AM

Hockey Saskatchewan recently released a list of 23 hockey players who have been selected to receive Saskatchewan Development Model Scholarships (SDM) for the 2023-24 season.

Selected players either participated in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) or the Saskatchewan Male Under-18 AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL) during the season.

Two of the 23 players have connections to the Melfort Mustangs, as last year’s Mustangs defenceman Chase Friedt-Mohr and current Mustang/former Tisdale Trojan forward Tristin Ziola were selected.

“Seeing that I was on the list was incredible and putting the effort in to get that scholarship was definitely worth it,” Ziola told northeastNOW. “I’m taking some classes from the U of S right now, so the money will go towards that, which is a big deal for me.”

The scholarships are worth $1,000 each and are still being funded from the profits generated by the 2010 World Junior Hockey Championship hosted by Saskatoon and Regina.

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Ziola is currently enrolled in Math 110 and plans to take some more classes next semester as he adjusts to the post-secondary workload, while also juggling a Junior A career.

His coach in Tisdale last season, Wes Rudy, convinced Ziola to apply for the scholarship.

Meanwhile, Friedt-Mohr, who has also received prior scholarships from his time spent in the WHL, now plays for the University of Regina Cougars. Even though Friedt-Mohr’s school is fully paid for, thanks to the Western Hockey League, the money does help a guy who is now living on his own for the first time.

“It’ll for sure help with a couple of grocery runs now that I’m living on my own and help out a bit with some rent and that. Every dollar helps when you’re transitioning into a different lifestyle,” he added.

“(Trevor) Blevins came up to me last year and said it’s a good way to get out there. I’ve earned my time in Hockey Saskatchewan so it was a good way to get a few extra bucks to help me make my way through through my first year in university.”

Chase Friedt-Mohr receiving his 2024 SJHL Playoff MVP award back in April (Broad Leaf Media/Facebook)

According to Friedt-Mohr, he’s enjoying his time at the U of R so far, as his criminal justice and psychology classes are ‘super interesting’.

Per Hockey Sask guidelines, recipients of the scholarships are free to choose any accredited post-secondary institution or career-enhancing program, including trade schools or professional career training programs in Canada.

More details on the scholarship criteria can be found here.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @BenTompkins_8