(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Melfort Mustangs Day

Mustangs celebrated with championship parade

May 23, 2024 | 8:30 AM

The SJHL champions and Centennial Cup silver medalists, Melfort Mustangs, were celebrated late Wednesday afternoon in an impressive show of support by the community.

A parade and free barbecue were held for anyone and everyone to mark the team’s accomplishments during the 2023/24 season. The Mustangs defeated the favoured Flin Flon Bombers 4-1 to win the best-of-seven league final in six games. The last time they were SJHL champs was 2016. The win led them to the national championship Centennial Cup in Oakville, Ontario where their play took them all the way to the championship game. And while they lost 1-0 to the Collingwood Blues of the Ontario Junior Hockey League in the national final, the Mustangs won the hearts of many old and new fans and the support of the entire province.

(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

“It was awesome, lots of people came out and supported us, and it was just great to see everyone out on the street, waving and cheering us on,” explained Mustangs captain, Leith Olafson. “Was also great to see so many people at the barbecue supporting us even more.”

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The celebration marked the perfect way to begin the inaugural ‘Melfort Mustangs Day’ – something the City of Melfort declared by a unanimous vote.

It was also the last of two celebrations for some players in what was their final year with the team and league.

“I think everyone’s excited to mingle around and say some last goodbyes and have a little fun together as a group one last time with the community,” Olafson added. “I think it’ll be a fun night.”

A championship banquet at the Kerry Vickar Centre on Friday will officially wrap up the club’s season until the next one begins in just three short months.

Olafson and the other eight 20-year-olds on the roster won’t be back in the Blue and Green this September.

“Just looking at it, thinking about packing now and getting ready to go home after the banquet on Friday night, some tears will be shed, myself included, but I know it’ll still be a great night,” he said.

(Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

It will be difficult for the team to come down from the high of winning a league trophy and a national silver medal; something that can only be described as one heck of a year.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

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