(Melfort Mustangs/Facebook)

By Ben Tompkins

Deadline Week

Mustangs ship Ellis to AJHL for young forward and PDF

Jan 8, 2026 | 5:50 PM

The Melfort Mustangs have made their first trade of this year’s trade deadline week.

Melfort is sending away 2006-born defenceman Ryder Ellis to the Lloydminster Bobcats of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL). In exchange, the Mustangs will be receiving 2007-born forward, Connor Ewasuk and a player development fee (PDF).

Ellis was acquired by the Stangs just one game into the start of this season from the La Ronge Ice Wolves. In 23 games with the Blue and Green this year, the Meadow Lake native has three points and 60 penalty minutes.

The 19-year-old had prior experience in the Western Hockey League (WHL), spending last season split between the Moose Jaw Warriors and the Lethbridge Hurricanes, accumulating six points over a 59-game span.

As for Ewasuk, the newest member of the Mustangs, he’s spent parts of the last two years with the Bobcats, grabbing two points over 18 games.

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The Beaumont, AB native is of Canadian and Irish descent, and celebrated his 19th birthday just four days ago (Jan. 4).

Melfort will next play tomorrow (Friday, Jan. 9) when they travel to Yorkton to take on the Terriers.

The SJHL’s trade deadline is on Saturday, Jan. 10.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8