For the second straight season, the Melfort Mustangs made it all the way to the Centennial Cup final.
Melfort fell in the final 7-2 to the host Calgary Canucks at the Max Bell Centre. The Mustangs lost the final in the 2024 to the Collingwood Blues by a 1-0 final.
Mustangs general manager and head coach Trevor Blevins says it was a strong effort throughout the tournament.
“I think every game seemed to be do or die for us, even the first one, it meant a lot to possibly be the first place in the pool, in my opinion, and it actually turned out that way. It was unfortunate that we got on the wrong end of that one, but we learned from it. Our guys were mentally tough, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. How they handled themselves, how they were off the ice, on the ice, just conducted themselves professionally, and really represented Melfort and the community so well.”
In the final, Melfort was playing in their third game in as many nights against a Calgary team that won in overtime in their semifinal against the Rockland Nationals.
“We did really well.” Blevins says. “I was a little concerned about our energy level to start the game, and I thought our first period was excellent to get out of that 1-1. The second it was just a couple of bad bounces and bad breaks, and that’s really where I think the game was kind of decided in a short period of time. It was just a big hill to climb and we didn’t quit.”
Throughout the tournament, Blevins says the Mustangs had tremendous support with people traveling to Calgary to watch the team play.
“It’s great and it’s all because of the support of the Melfort community. Two of our playoff games were home games. It was just the people that showed up, the alumni, the people from Melfort, the people over Western Canada that have ties to Melford that were there. The support was unbelievable. The guys knew of it and were aware of it and I think they really appreciated it. It’s one of those where Melfort Mustangs are a family and it’s a huge one. If you were at the any of the playoff games, you’d see that we were well supported and we can’t thank everyone enough for coming out and showing up and being in our corner.”
Blevins named CJHL coach of the year
Blevins is also taking home some individual hardware as he was awarded the Darcy Haugen/Mark Cross Memorial Award, presented to the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s Coach of the Year.
Blevins says the award would not have been possible without the strong support network around himself and the team.
“I think it’s a national award for the team, the players, first and foremost and the organization secondly. I don’t feel I’m the only person in the organization that should be acknowledged for this. It’s right from our board of directors to our staff, my assistant coach Tye Scherger and director of player personnel, Rick Oakes. Our marketing people, game day volunteers, fans and corporate sponsors. Everyone should be a part of this and feel that they have won it or have won something. I feel that’s what it should be. Unfortunately, it’s a coach of the year award, but it should be the organization of the year award or team of the year award, in my opinion. That’s what it takes to be successful.”
Blevins is the third straight SJHL coach to win the award. Flin Flon’s Mike Reagan took home the honours in 2023-24 while Battlefords’ Brayden Klimosko won it in 2022-23.
Blevins says it speaks volumes about the league to have the award be in the SJHL for three consecutive years.
“I think it’s outstanding and we feel we have the best league in Canada. I feel that this is a league that prepares players 200 feet. We have players that are offensive that need to develop defensively, they need to develop all aspects of their game to be successful in this league. It’s not an offensive league, it’s not a defensive league, it doesn’t struggle in national tournaments. I feel that we do a great job developing players and developing teams that can compete every year to be a national champion and that’s what is great about Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.”
The award is named after Darcy Haugen and Mark Cross, who were the coaching staff of the Humboldt Broncos during the 2017-18 season. Both men lost their lives in the bus crash that took 16 lives and injured 13 others.
Blevins has been the Mustangs bench boss since the 2013-14 season and knew both Haugen and Cross through their work in the league. He says winning the award is personal to him considering his relationship with both men.
“It’s an absolute honor. I had the privilege to know Darcy and Mark, and they were outstanding coaches and did a great job with their organization, but most importantly, they’re fantastic people. I’m very humbled to be able to accept this award, knowing that they are part of it, and to know them as people.”
As part of the award, $5,000 is contributed to the Mustangs organization from the NHL Coaches’ Association along with $5,000 in Bauer hockey equipment. Blevin along with one assistant will be invited as honourary guests at the NHLCA’s Global Coaches’ Clinic in Toronto on June 14.
sports@paherald.sk.ca
