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By Ben Tompkins

2023/24 Season Preview

Mustangs focused on effort, another playoff run entering newest SJHL season

Sep 21, 2023 | 5:00 PM

The Melfort Mustangs 2023/24 SJHL season is just one day away, as the club is done with its exhibition games and has finalized its roster for the regular season.

Everything starts Friday night when they host the La Ronge Ice Wolves at the Northern Lights Palace.

“We always want to get better every day, and I think as long as we’re bringing a high compete level to start, we’ll be successful. Sometimes it’s a little bit rusty as far as being on the same page system-wise, but we want to continue with what we have built-in exhibition and we want that urgency and high level of intensity to carry on into the regular season,” explained Trevor Blevins, head coach and general manager.

The Stangs will play five of their first six games at home this year to commence their 56-game schedule.

Blevins added that it doesn’t matter where the boys play, as consistency is really the key to success.

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“It’s a competitive league, so we got to be ready every night. What’s gonna be most important for our group is to be consistent as much as we can every day, no matter who the opponent is. This league is the best because if you don’t show up on any given night, you’re gonna be on the wrong end of it,” he said.

“We want to finish as high as we can, so we got to be ready no matter who we play, more so on the road, just with a different atmosphere, different rinks and different team makeups. It’s challenging but it’s also what makes the league special.”

The blue and green will be aiming for another playoff run this season, coming off of last year where they finished fourth in the league and made it to the semi-finals.

Some big names that have moved on include their former captain Ben Tkachuk and Riley Ashe, the reigning SJHL Rookie of the Year.

“The team chemistry has come along, and it’s gonna be very important that our culture continues from where it left off. It’s all systems go, we have a great group of players here who have bought in already, are very intelligent, and going all in at practices. We’re hitting the ground running, I really like the mix of our dressing room, and we’ve got a great group that shows up every day here and works hard,” added Blevins.

“The process of just coming every day and putting your best foot forward and making sure we’re working the hardest we can. If we do that and have those kinds of habits, the results will be what they are. We’re focused on developing as a group and developing individuals into better players.”

The organization will follow Friday night’s game (Sept. 22) with a road trip to Flin Flon to face the Bombers for their first away game of the season on Saturday (Sept. 23).

That contest can be listened to live on CJVR, via stream or radio, as Ben Tompkins will have the call, beginning with the pre-game show at 6:15 p.m. Saskatchewan time.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8