Darren Zary
Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Zac Somers has gone from Melfort Mustangs fan to a fan favourite.
Somers grew up with the Mustangs, attending games religiously while idolizing and worshipping his favourite players like so young fans tend to do.
The hometown product is now set to conclude his junior A hockey career at the 2025 Centennial Cup national championship tournament in Calgary as a hometown hero and one of the team’s offensive leaders.
What a journey it’s been.
A year ago, the Mustangs were playing in the 2024 Centennial Cup national championship final but Somers sat on the sidelines, unable to play after failing to get medical clearance following a concussion.
“It was tough — probably one of the hardest points of my career — watching them go to war and not be able to be out there with them,” admits Somers, a 5-foot-11, 166-pound forward. “But hoping to help them out this year.”
Somers has more than helped so far. He led his team through the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League playoffs with eight goals and nine assists for 17 points in 14 games.
Melfort will open up this year’s tournament Thursday in Calgary against the host Canucks.
“Obviously, it’s a great experience — it’s going to be awesome,” said Somers. “Especially (after) last year, (when) I was sidelined. I wasn’t allowed to play. But being able to play for your hometown — a lot of guys don’t get that opportunity — and be able to win two (SJHL) championships and be able to go to two nationals, it’s unreal. It’s something that’s really special and something I’m really grateful for.”
Somers was able to mount a comeback this season and led his team to a second-straight SJHL championship title with 13 goals and 25 assists for 38 points in 34 games.
“A little bit of a relief,” said Somers. “It took it a little while, once I got back on the ice, to get back into it, but I stayed pretty healthy this year and I’m hoping for a pretty good run here.”
He didn’t even know if was going to be able to play until early September. Six weeks of rehabilitation followed before he returned to the ice.
“It,” admitted Somers, “was a long haul to get back.”
At age 18, Somers racked up 26 goals and 26 assists for 52 points in 49 games. But since then, he’s faced his share of adversity.
Somers committed to the NCAA’s University of Maine Black Bears two years ago but admits that some NCAA rule changes have somewhat clouded his hockey future.
“I’m not too sure,” said Somers. It’s kind of all up in the air with the new rules and stuff, so I’m not too sure at the moment. With all the major junior rules changing, we’ll see what happens.”
During his junior career, Somers has had other offers and other opportunities but doesn’t regret staying put in Melfort.
“You kind of have to listen when the phone’s ringing but, at the end of the day, there was no way I was getting out of here — I’m loyal to them (Mustangs) and Trevor’s so good here, the whole organization,” Somers said. “You really can’t complain so I guess, in the end, I chose to stay home.”
‘HE MEANS THE WORLD’
Mustangs head coach and GM Trevor Blevins gets all choked up when talking about his hometown star, Somers, and the adversity that the player has faced along the way.
“Actually he means the world,” said Blevins. “Oof, I’m getting all emotional. He’s had a tough go. And for him, he had to fight through a lot, not only physically but mentally. And I think, and I know, his role wasn’t an easy one, but to watch him flourish and essentially take control on the ice, play a huge role for us offensively. He plays with a great motor. He contributes 200 feet. If I talk about Zac Somers, he’s just as responsible defensively as he contributes offensively. I’m so proud of him for how he fought through it all and, really, at the end of the day, is a champion and a great story.”
Blevins also played for his hometown Mustangs and led them to the national championship tournament back in 1996.
“Trevor and I talk a lot and he kind of went through the same thing,” noted Somers.. “It’s awesome.”
Blevins can certainly relate to what it’s like to play for your hometown team.
“For me, myself, it was more just being so involved in the community and everybody supporting you, you just feel the community support behind you to do whatever you can to be successful,” offered Blevins. “Is it pressure? No, I thought it more supportive and excitement for me. I feel Zach feels the same way.
“I coached the guy for four years and there are not that many guys who would be that loyal. He’s always had other options, but his loyalty and how he is as a person and how he is to coach, his character is high — he’s just such an important piece on our team. We couldn’t thank him enough from our organization and town of Melfort for him being a Melfort Mustang.”
Blevins, too, grew up as a Mustang fan. He idolized forward Scott Rogers and later wore the same jersey number as Rogers.
“I remember it was a privilege,” recalls Blevins. ‘I just remember it being so special because you grow up watching players that you looked up and you end up wearing their jersey numbers. I think back to Scott Rogers (who wore No. 25 before Blevins did the same) and how much I liked watching him play and wanted to kind of be like him and, sure enough, it’s going full circle and (his son) Lincoln Rogers is going to be playing for us next year.”
The puck drops Thursday. The Mustangs have high hopes.
“I think we have a real good shot this year,” said Somers. “I guess we’ll see. We play Calgary Day 1, so that’ll probably be one of the better competition there so we’ll see how that goes.”
Somers will be playing and that, in itself, is a good way to start.
dzary@postmedia.com
