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By Ben Tompkins

Golden Bears

Captain Thornton commits to U of A

Jun 26, 2025 | 4:13 PM

Another Melfort Mustang will be joining the U Sports ranks and competing in Canada West.

The team’s most recent captain, Ty Thornton, has committed to the University of Alberta, becoming a Golden Bear.

“I’m super excited to be able to stick around home and be with friends and family, and have those Edmonton experiences I’ve had my whole life. I’m really looking forward to it,” Thornton told northeastNOW.

“I’ve always grown up hearing about how good and top-end their program is, so that’s kind of a big thing that interests me because I never really thought I’d end up being a Golden Bear, but I guess it’s reality now, so I’m pretty excited.”

Thornton, a Sherwood Park, Alta. native, spent his entire three-year Junior A career in Melfort, captaining the Mustangs during the 2024/25 season.

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In a combined 168 games of regular season, playoff, and Centennial Cup play, the 21-year-old registered 81 points. Thornton was a two-time league champ, two-time National Silver Medalist and the 2024/25 SJHL Playoff MVP.

“Melfort was probably the best decision I’ve ever made. I loved it there, it was my second home, and it’s full of great people. We had a great culture in the room there, and there’s nothing better I could have asked for than to be able to win two championships there, and always have a successful team with boys who loved to do it together. It was a dream for junior hockey players, so I am very thankful that I got the chance to go there. It was amazing,” added Thornton.

“Playing in Melfort definitely had some benefits for me going into university now and playing with older people, (coach) Blevins likes us to play hard, and I feel that’s gonna help me a lot moving forward after playing there for three years. I think us and other guys moving forward (into U Sports) are going to put a good showing on for Melfort and from the SJHL.”

Those other guys include Nolan Roberts (University of Guelph), Reilley Kotai (University of British Columbia), Zach Turner (University of Manitoba), and Nic Andrusiak and Zac Somers (University of Saskatchewan).

Four of those five will be in Canada West, as well as former teammates James Venne and Ben Tkachuk, both of whom are also at the U of S.

“We’re going to go from winning a championship together and being best buddies for a couple of seasons to being in big rivalries and competing against each other now. I’m looking forward to it, obviously, buddies for life, and I love those boys, but once we step on that ice, it’s not going to be as friendly,” Thornton continued.

“Obviously, I’ve heard a lot of different things around the U Sports league, and I’ve heard a lot of great things about Canada West over here with some very top-end programs. I think it’s just a little step up from the SJHL, bigger guys and you’re playing against men now, people are going to be stronger and faster, so I’m looking to become a faster decision-maker, and keep up physically and mentally.”

Thornton, a six-foot-three, 179-pound defenceman, plans to take business at the U of A, as he’s still a little unsure of his exact plans after hockey.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8