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(Image Credit: Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW Staff)
New Partnership

Mustangs now known as Ripley Ford Melfort Mustangs

Jun 17, 2026 | 12:50 PM

From now on, the Melfort Mustangs will be formally known as the Ripley Ford Melfort Mustangs.

The announcement came on Wednesday morning from the club that the local car dealership, Ripley Ford, has purchased the naming rights.

The five-year naming rights partnership will begin with the 2026/27 SJHL season.

“There’s a lot of history between this organization and our car dealership, dating back to when we were Melody Motors, and we’ve come in, and we recognize the importance of this community team. We had the opportunity to come to this agreement and get this new partnership, so we’re beyond excited to be involved,” explained Ripley Ford owner, Mark Ripley.

“These naming rights will produce some financial support over the next five years, so it’s a commitment we’re excited to have, and one we know is important for a Junior A club. They do a lot of fundraising throughout the year because it takes a lot of money to run, so it’s nice that we’re able to come in and support them a little bit to take some of that heat off. We get to fly our logo with a team that’s been around a long time, so we’re proud of that, and I believe they are too.”

The naming rights partnership is a first for the organization, but not the first for an SJHL club.

Teams like Weyburn, Estevan and Kindersley have already found success with their own local companies and partnerships, paving the way for Melfort to do the same.

“We’re super excited to partner with Ripley Ford this year. It means a lot to us because it’s a shared relationship of how we care about this community and team… it provides opportunities for our players, both on and off the ice, and it allows us to create more memorable experiences for our fans. It also ensures that junior hockey stays an important part of Melfort for years to come,” added Mustangs’ Director of Marketing and Business, Kelsey Pederson.

“It’s a huge financial help to the club, more than anything. Just with the increased costs of travel, meals and equipment, and everything that we provide for our players, it ensures that we can continue to provide those opportunities for them.”

Other than the name change and new sign on the players’ entrance door, a Ripley Ford patch will also now be seen on home and away jerseys, along with a sticker on the helmets.

There are tentative plans for an official “kickoff” for the Ripley Ford Melfort Mustangs, likely in early September, once the new season begins to take shape.

“It’s still a little surreal to think about the first time we’ll hear the Ripley Ford Melfort Mustangs are entering the ice or have won or something like that. We’ll still look at it as just a sponsorship, but we’re definitely happy and proud,” concluded Ripley.

“We’re proud to be in the building anyway, and we’ve had a pretty good face with the team and organization over a number of years, so we’re really just continuing to do that. Again, just making sure the team is going to get what they need, and just supporting the youth and the community is really what it’s all about… go Mustangs go, and we can’t wait to be standing with them this fall.”

Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8