Mustangs select nine in SJHL Draft, take local product Hanson with top pick

“Hanson had a great year and put up some big numbers. He came to our spring camp and was very dominant for a young guy, impressing us all. By all accounts, he’s a very good kid and a hard worker, and just the kind of guy that fits into the Mustangs mould,” explained Mustangs Director of Player Development, Rick Oakes.

Next up for the Stangs was their other lone pick in the 2009-born draft, picking Nash Coquet 23rd overall.

Coquet played primarily with the U15 AA Saskatoon Outlaws, producing 55 points in 30 games. The forward also had three points in five games with the U18 AA Saskatoon Riverkings.

“Coquet is a good skating forward that comes with a very good work ethic. He’s committed to a good program in the Saskatoon Contacts, whom we have a good working relationship with, so we’re looking forward to watch his development this coming year,” Oakes added.

Moving onto the 2008 portion of the draft, the Blue and Green didn’t make their first selection until the second round, taking defenceman Gavin Folden at the 23rd spot.

Folden laced up for the U16 AA Lloydminster Blazers 44 times this season, racking up 19 points in the process. He also played one game with the U17 AAA Lloydminster Lancers.

“The 2008 group is one year older and therefore one year closer to playing. We had a good opportunity to pick up Folden in round two and he’s committed to playing for the Swift Current Legionnaires program. He’s got some local ties as his mom and dad are from Melfort originally, so we were happy to get him,” Oakes told northeastNOW.

The Mustangs followed that up by selecting Saskatoon Riverkings forward Ryder Wilm with the 35th overall pick. Wilm is described as a “hard-working kid who’s very coachable and wants to get better every day.”

Next was Regina Rangers defenceman Simon Preston who was the 38th overall selection. Preston is viewed as a player who “skates very well and has lots of upside and potential.”

With their next pick, Melfort took their only goalie, as Bridge City Blues’ Addy Price was taken off the board with the 47th overall pick. Price is “very close with James Venne and his family, and has lots of potential and upside to his game.”

The selections continued in round five, as Moose Jaw Warriors U18 AAA forward, Carson Deichart was grabbed at number 51. Deichart is a prospect of the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL, but should the Major Junior level not be the right fit, Oakes and crew would be “happy to have him in Melfort.”

Following in the fifth round with pick 59 was South Alberta Hockey Academy forward Jacob Penley. Penley came to the Mustangs spring camp and showed that he’s “very competitive, works hard, skates well and has some good skills.”

And last but not least, Regina Rangers defenceman Xavier Doane was selected 72nd overall. Doane already has a “good frame for his age and is a very mature character kid.”

The Mustangs are hoping this next crop of young prospects will help this organization now and in the future, as they aim to defend their 2024 league title.

“We just try and do as much background on these players as we can, so we can make an educated decision when we get to the draft table. We had a couple of draft picks this past year who were very good for us when we needed to fill some holes and they gained some valuable experience for next season. The hope is that we’ll always have players like that if needed,” concluded Oakes.

“I think you need to have a good group of incoming prospects that can push your older guys and continue to motivate them on a daily basis. That competition is good for everyone and once you have that winning attitude and you’ve experienced winning a championship together, you have to ride that momentum as much as you can and carry it into the next season.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

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by Ben Tompkins

Mustangs select nine in SJHL Draft, take local product Hanson with top pick

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