(Submitted photo/Melfort Mustangs, Broad Leaf Media)

By Ben Tompkins

Young gun fever

Mustang’s Ashe commits to NCAA Division I

Dec 9, 2022 | 3:23 PM

The Melfort Mustangs first-round draft pick of the 2022 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season, already knows where he’ll be playing next.

Riley Ashe announced his commitment to the University of Nebraska-Omaha in NCAA Division I.

“It means a lot to commit to Omaha because it’s such a great program,” the 2006-born forward Ashe said. “I committed there because of the coaching staff and the interest they have in me. After going down there for the visit I had a really good feeling about the place and knew it was where I wanted to be.”

The Warman, Sask. product, was the Mustangs’ 10th overall pick, in the 2022 SJHL Draft. At just 16 years old, has already become one of their most productive players.

Heading into this weekend, through just 26 games, Ashe has four goals and 17 assists for 21 points, and he’s tied for second among rookies in league-wide scoring.

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“We are very happy for Riley as he makes this step in his hockey career,” said Mustangs head coach and general manager, Trevor Blevins. “He has worked extremely hard this season and deserves his commitment to UNO. He has shown the commitment and work ethic it takes to be an elite player, now, and in the future.”

Prior to his time in Melfort, Ashe spent one season with the Saskatoon Blazers in the U18 AAA ranks. He tallied 27 points in 43 games during the 2021/2022 season.

Ashe is set to join a fellow 16-year-old, Warman product, and fellow friend, Carsten Kayter, as a member of the Mavericks, when the two decide to take those steps, following their SJHL careers.

Kayter, who’s currently a defenceman for the Humboldt Broncos, played alongside Ashe in 2020-21, both as members of the Warman Wildcats U15 AA Bantam team.

The University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) Mavericks play out of Baxter Arena in Omaha and are part of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8