MELFORT — As the playoffs approach, the Melfort Mustangs took a time out to celebrate the successes of its players over the 2021-22 season.
There were 20 awards presented to the players at the team’s awards banquet on March 6.
The most valuable player award went to two players this year: Ben Tkachuk and Curtis Hammond.
Tkachuk, a Gronlid product who’s the team captain, said getting the award was the cherry on top of the sundae for that evening.
“It feels good. A lot of the other guys could have won the award for sure,” the centre said, adding that a lot of the credit for the award goes to his teammates.
“It was nice, obviously, but the championship is coming and I’m looking forward to that.”
Hammond said he was super excited to receive an MVP award.
“Obviously a lot of guys can have earned that on our team and I'm just thankful that I was recognized as one of them, along with Ben, my captain there.”
The forward added the next steps are to win the final games of the season, then to work through the playoffs to win the championship.
Trevor Blevins, the Mustangs’ head coach, said that it was hard to choose just one player for MVP this year.
“One player [Tkachuk] really had a great season, got 16 goals and just really stepped up his play here and gradually improved,” he told the crowd at the banquet. “The second player [Hammond], you just need him in the line-up all of the time. Whether it was playing forward or defense, he’ll do anything for the team and really is a difference maker when he's in the lineup.”
Most valuable defenceman got a similar treatment, with Hayden Tuba and Mark Snarr both winning the award.
James Venne won the rookie of the year award. He said the Mustangs had a good bunch of guys that have helped him out.
“Right now, I’m just focused on this playoff run. Hopefully, we can go pretty deep,” the goalie said. “Finish off the regular season here in these next few games and hopefully win a championship.”
Blevins said that he believes that the Mustangs have the pieces to win the championship, with a well rounded group up front, in the defence corps and in the net.
“You guys all know that everything's about the team and team success. You guys have been nothing short of great.”
Award winners
- Scholastic Achievement – Assaly Jewelers: Zac Somers
- Community Involvement – Leonard Strandberg: Boston Maxwell
- Most Improved Player – Todd Siwak: Leith Olafson
- Most Spirited Player – Cheyenne GM:Ben Tkachuk
- Most Popular Player – Dale Frier (1st President): Dawson Leroux
- Most Dedicated Player – Henry Hangs Memorial: Carter Anderson
- Hardest Working Player – Darin Placsko Drywall: Carter Anderson
- 3 Star Selection – Pattison Media: Curtis Hammond
- Plus/Minus Award – Spafit by Linda: Carter Anderson:
- Kyle Johnson Memorial Award – The Johnson Family: Curtis Hammond
- Crunch Award(Most Hits) – Bill (Buff) Reid: Tye Scherger
- Joel Dennis Memorial – The Dennis Family: Marco Lopez
- Dylan Ashe Memorial Scholarship: Seth McCulloch
- Hardest Hitter Award – Vital Signs and Graphics: Seth McCulloch
- Top Defensive Forward – MNP: Noah Wilson
- Top Defensive Defenceman – Redhead Equipment: Lucas Ochitwa
- Rookie of the Year: Melody Motors: James Venne
- Fan Choice Award: Leyton Holoien
- Most Valuable Defenceman – Prince Albert Source for Sports: Hayden Tuba & Mark Snarr
- Most Valuable Player – George Home Hardware: Curtis Hammond & Ben Tkachuk
