(Photo courtesy/Broad Leaf Media, Facebook)

By Ben Tompkins

The mid season acquisition

The steady horse on the backend; Nolan Henderson Player Profile

May 15, 2024 | 3:55 PM

The Melfort Mustangs are 2024 SJHL Champions, which means their nine 20-year-old players have gone out in style.

While they have all turned their attention to the Centennial Cup, their final career SJHL game is one to remember.

For Nolan Henderson, the way this season went was likely unexpected, as the longtime Weyburn Red Wing was traded to Melfort less than two months into the season.

The steady-horse defenceman has been everything the Mustangs could have asked for, as he’s been as reliable as can be on the backend, and a very complimentary piece on the offensive side of things, with 16 points in 56 games since joining the team.

“It’s pretty crazy to wrap your head around being a champion, especially in your last year, but I think we knew from the get-go that we had a special group. We got it done and we’re pretty happy with the outcome,” Henderson told northeastNOW.

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“It’s unbelievable to now be competing for a National Championship and we’re all still really excited. It’s something you dream of, so it’s a lot of fun to be here.”

Henderson arrived to the Mustangs as a Junior A vet but knew little about the group he was joining.

He had 97 games under his belt already, as it was now time to use that experience towards an entirely new organization, and it’s safe to say it was worth it in the long run.

“I never expected as a Calgary guy to spend nearly my entire career in Saskatchewan and have this much fun. It’s been amazing and I wouldn’t trade it in for the world. I’m just looking forward to capping it off with a National Championship,” added Henderson.

“As far as Melfort is concerned, it’s been everything I could’ve asked for. It’s been unbelievable, the town has been so supportive, I’ve had fantastic billets, all the guys in the locker room have been awesome, and I just can’t give enough thanks.”

In the entirety of his SJHL/AJHL/MJHL career, the tough and defensive-minded 2003-born Alberta product has accumulated 44 points and 306 penalty minutes.

Whether it was knocking someone down in the corners through a tough battle, breaking up 2-on-1s, blocking shots, or surprising the other team with his offensive skillset, Henderson has brought paramount stability to this year’s Blue and Green.

He is very grateful to be a part of this year’s Mustangs group, alongside his fellow 20-year-old teammates in Aidyn Hutchinson, Clay Sleeva, Leith Olafson, Chase Friedt-Mohr, Hayden Prosofsky, Logan Cox, Ryan Duguay, and Tye Evans.

“I think a bunch of guys are kind of feeling the effects of the end of the road in Melfort, but it’s been pretty awesome to be able to go out every day and practice with the boys, and it’s definitely something you take for granted. We might be a little somber about that, but these couple of weeks are bringing us new experiences and we’re excited about that,” Henderson concluded.

“This group all had the same mindset this year. As 20-year-olds we wanted to set good examples and lead the younger guys. I think everyone did a good job in their role, we all had the same goals, and everyone just clicked.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8