Nearly half of Mustangs’ squad to represent Melfort at SJHL/MJHL Showcase

Meanwhile, head coach and general manager Trevor Blevins will join Team Gold as an assistant coach.

“We are extremely proud of all 11 of our players,” said Blevins. “They have been rewarded for their hard work this season and now get the opportunity to showcase themselves to programs from across North America against some of the best players from Manitoba.”

The 2023 edition of the joint showcase is the first in Manitoba and the first since 2020 in Regina, after both the 2021 and 2022 showcases were cancelled, due to the global pandemic.

Team Gold (2002 & 2003-born players)

#4 – Leyton Holoien (Emerald Park, Sask.)

Tied for 10th in scoring among defencemen, Leyton Holoien has been a key cog for the Mustangs’ offence. His 22 points in 29 games are tied for seventh on the team and he has already surpassed his point total from a season ago.

#9 – Ben Tkachuk (Gronlid, Sask.)

While it took 10 games for the Mustangs’ captain to score his first goal of the season, Ben Tkachuk has still produced at a high level. His 1.09 points per game are third on the team and he’s tied for the team lead with 20 assists through 23 games. The 2002-born forward also just committed to playing USports hockey, earlier today.

#18 – Ryan Duguay (Edmonton, Alta.)

Since joining the Mustangs in mid-October, Ryan Duguay has produced offence at an elite level. His 22 points are tied for seventh on the team, and his eight goals are third. The 2003-born forward has also earned multiple points in three of his last four contests.

#23 – Dawson Leroux (Lethbridge, Alta.)

Consistency has been the key for Dawson Leroux, as the 2002-born forward has played in all but two games for the Mustangs and is second on the team in points and goals. The Mustangs’ assistant captain also leads the team with seven powerplay goals and is currently on a six-game point streak.

#25 – Hayden Tuba (South Delta, B.C.)

Hayden Tuba has been a rock for the Mustangs, as he’s the team leader among defencemen in scoring, and his 25 points are seventh in the SJHL among defencemen. Tuba has also earned points in 11 of his last 13 contests.

#29 – Joel Favreau (Prince Albert, Sask.)

One-half of arguably the best goaltending tandem in SJHL, Joel Favreau has been stellar for the Mustangs this season, posting a .916 save percentage (tied for sixth in the SJHL), and a 2.43 goals-against-average (fourth). His two shutouts are also tied for third in the league.

#43 – Leith Olafson (Wasa, B.C.)

One of the Mustangs’ most-improved players from a season ago, Leith Olafson’s offence has skyrocketed in 2022/2023 to the tune of 21 points in 31 games. This has smashed his 15 points in 46 games total from a season ago.

#55 – Kevin Minnoch (Sherwood Park, Alta.)

Cementing himself as one of the premier puck-moving defencemen in the SJHL, Kevin Minnoch leads the team in powerplay points with 14. His 24 points overall are second among defencemen on the team and tied for eighth in the SJHL. Minnoch was named Defenceman of the Week twice in the month of December, while also being named Defenceman of the Month. The 2002-born defenceman also has nine points over his last four games.

Team Blue (2004-born or later players)

(Submitted graphic/Melfort Mustangs)

#14 – Zac Somers (Melfort, Sask.)

It’s been a wild few weeks and months for Zac Somers, as the local product had goals in seven straight games before he headed east to the World Junior A Challenge for Team Canada West. One of only two SJHL players to be named to the team, Somers is the highest-scoring 2004-born player in the league with 31 points in 27 games and his 17 goals are tied for seventh in the SJHL. He also recently committed to an NCAA Division 1 hockey program.

#20 – Riley Ashe (Warman, Sask.)

If you didn’t know who Riley Ashe was, you do now, as at just 16 years old, he leads all rookies in points and assists with 26 and 20 respectively. The former 1st round pick is also one of just a handful of 2006-born players in the league and has already committed to play NCAA Division 1 hockey.

#31 – James Venne (Saskatoon, Sask.)

The second half of arguably the best goaltending tandem in the SJHL, James Venne hasn’t lost a game in regulation since Nov. 2, and has only lost once overall in that stretch, spanning nine starts. His .917 save percentage is fifth in the SJHL, and so is his 2.47 goals-against-average.

Nipawin Hawks and Humboldt Broncos

Meanwhile, the two other northeast Saskatchewan SJHL teams will also be represented, as the Nipawin Hawks will send Maguire Ratzlaff and Zander Stewart to Team White (2002 and 2003-born players).

A handful of Humboldt Broncos will also join Team White, which includes: Alec Saretzky, Lucas Ceccarelli, Jacob Boucher, Cage Newans, Ethan Zielke, Daylen Weigel, and Noah Barlage, with Scott Barney, set to coach and Skip Deeg to act as the head trainer.

The Broncos will also have Tim Kim, Matt Van Blaircom (former Tisdale Trojan), Xavier Roy, and Carsten Kayter playing for Team Blue (2004-born or later players).

The northeast area will also be represented by Humboldt-born and current head coach of the Battlefords North Stars, Brayden Klimosko, as he joins Trevor Blevins with Team Gold, as the head coach.

More Details

Team Gold will take on the MJHL’s Team Red on Tuesday, Jan 31, and then MJHL’s Team Black on Feb. 1, while Team Blue will play a pair of games against the MJHL’s Team White on the same days.

The event will provide high-performance exposure in front of NHL, WHL, NCAA and USPORTS scouts.

Tickets will become available for purchase online at the MJHL’s website starting Tuesday, Jan. 17. Walk-up tickets will also be available for purchase starting at 11 A.M. on Jan. 31, at the Seven Oaks Sportsplex in Winnipeg.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8

by Ben Tompkins

Nearly half of Mustangs’ squad to represent Melfort at SJHL/MJHL Showcase

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