Tisdale's Nick Andrusiak skates with the Saskatoon Blades in a game from this past season. (Steve Hiscock/Saskatoon Blades)

By Ben Tompkins

Offseason Moves

Mustangs gearing up for another deep run following acquisition of WHL-calibre defenceman

Jun 7, 2024 | 12:00 PM

It took less than two weeks from season’s end for the Melfort Mustangs to put a big stamp on next year’s campaign.

Following a silver medal at Nationals, the Mustangs are gearing up for a league title defence and shot at redemption, as they recently upgraded their roster by a large extent with a WHL-calibre defenceman.

Earlier in the week, Melfort picked up local product Nick Andrusiak from the Melville Millionaires in exchange for draft picks and a player development fee.

“What’s important about Nick is his experience not only in the WHL, but he’s got many games under his belt in the SJHL which is huge for us and his familiarity with the league,” explained head coach and general manager, Trevor Blevins.

“Unfortunately, you have to give up a lot of pieces to acquire a player of this calibre, but what we liked about the trade is that we never upset the current roster that’s coming back. This was a deal that made a lot of sense for us to be able to push again to be a top team in the league.”

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Andrusiak has more than 100 games played in the Western Hockey League during his junior career, including a previous 75-game stint in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

Now entering his 20-year-old season, the former Trojan is excited to be back, closer to home.

“In my last year, I just wanted to get closer to home, play some good hockey and try to get a scholarship out of it. I thought coming to Melfort was probably the best place for that to happen and for those opportunities to come up. I’ve heard nothing but good things about the organization, everything just seems first class and it feels like the best fit for me,” Andrusiak told northeastNOW.

“I think we have a really good chance to bring back another championship and hopefully, a national championship. They have so many returning guys from that run last year, so we’ll have lots of experience and I’m hoping to end off my junior career with a championship alongside a great group of guys.”

Next up for the Stangs organization is this year’s SJHL Draft which goes on Tuesday.

While the Blue and Green sent away both of their first-round selections this year, they did add another second-round pick, courtesy of the Weyburn Red Wings.

The Mustangs will also be getting a player development fee, and in return, will be sending away their first-round pick in next year’s draft.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8