With the playoffs right around the corner, the Melfort Mustangs took some time to honour the outstanding players, and celebrate their team at their annual awards banquet on March 3.
This year the Mustangs handed out 21 awards to 11 different players, with awards ranging from Hardest Hitter, Fan Favourite and Most Valuable Player, among others.
While the banquet is an opportunity to celebrate the players, Trevor Blevins, the Mustangs’ head coach, noted it was also a chance to recognize the hard work of the whole team throughout the season.
“You hope you have more hockey to play, quite a bit more, but you do need to celebrate that... We congratulate all the award winners but at the end of the day I think the thing that’s most impressive is what this group’s accomplished over the regular season.”
With the pressure of the stretch drive and getting ready for the playoff weighing on their young shoulders, Mustangs captain Andrew Thompson admitted the banquet was a great chance to focus on something away from the rink.
“It was definitely nice to get away from the rink and have a different setting. And definitely refresh the minds a little bit and get ready for this last game [March 6] in Flin Flon and buckle up for the playoffs.”
The biggest winner during the course of the evening was Loch Morrison, who took home five awards including Most Dedicated, Top Scorer, 3 Star Selection, Most Valuable Defenseman and Most Valuable Player.
Morrison noted it was because of his teammates that he was able to bring home five awards.
“There’s a lot of guys on the team that could have got the same award I did. Everyone worked hard this year but it’s very humbling and I’m honoured to be chosen. I’ve worked hard and it’s nice to get it in your last year of your junior career and it’s going to help with my confidence moving forward.”
Of course, the major awards for Morrison were both Most Valuable Defenseman and Most Valuable Player, and he notes a lot of his success comes down to his coaches.
“They made it easy and I think they’re a big factor in my success this year, just being able to put a smile on my face everyday at the rink and coming to enjoy the game and that was a huge factor in my on ice performance this year.”
Morrison joined the Mustangs this season after playing in the Western Hockey League for the last four seasons and Blevins notes his impact was felt almost right away.
“The intangibles he brought were even more impressive [than his on ice play]. His leadership, his character is through the roof, really it was. And his communication skills, the maturity level he brings you can just tell he’s a winner and a natural winner. He does all the right things and he earns the respect of his teammates.”
While the season is far from over for Morrison and his Mustangs teammates, he admits it has been everything he expected since he agreed to join the blue and green.
“When I decided I want to come to Melfort, Trevor said we’re planning on going for it so right from the start we had a good team. We added a few pieces and I’m really confident in our group. We’ve really gelled and I think we’re going to make a good run here.”
One of the other big winners from the evening was Thompson, who brought home three awards including Most Popular Player, Hardest Working Player, and the Kyle Johnson Memorial Award.
Being recognized as a fan favourite meant a lot admits Thompson, who says it is always nice to know you have the fans behind you.
Taking home the award for hardest worker is also a nice award to have, he says.
“It’s a really good feeling to know that you’ve got people realizing that. And that award’s not about standing out it’s just about your effort and what you put forth.”
That effort has been evident since the moment he got to Melfort, noted Blevins.
“He really came in full of character and hard work and he brings it every shift. I’ve never had to say to him get working harder. That’s one thing that’s never come out of my mouth with him and to have that as a coach is just phenomenal.”
With the Mustangs having their awards banquet now in the books, the club has just one focus, and that is beating the Humboldt Broncos in the first round of the playoffs.
The Mustangs will begin their hunt for the Canalta Cup, with game one of their first round coming against the Broncos at home on March 16.
Melfort Mustang Awards
- Scholastic Achievement: Boedy Donald
- Crunch Award (Most Hits): Boedy Donald
- Community Involvement: Evan Plotnik
- Most Dedicated Player: Evan Plotnik & Loch Morrison
- Most Improved Player: Colin Schmidt
- Most Spirited Player: Tanner Zentner
- Most Popular Player: Andrew Thompson
- Hardest Working Player: Andrew Thompson
- Kyle Johnson Memorial Award: Andrew Thompson
- Most Dedicated Player: Evan Plotnik & Loch Morrison
- Top Scorer: Loch Morrison
- 3 Star Selection: Loch Morrison
- Most Valuable Defenceman: Loch Morrison
- Most Valuable Player: Loch Morrison
- Plus/Minus Award: Adam Hergott
- Top Defensive Defenceman: Adam Hergott
- Joel Dennis Memorial: Rock Ruschkowski
- Hardest Hitter Award: Tristen Elder
- Fan Choice Award: Tristen Elder
- Top Defensive Forward: Carson Albrecht
- Rookie of the Year: Hunter Arps
