Mustangs Centennial Cup Team Picture (Ben Tompkins/northeastNOW)

By Ben Tompkins

Different factors but more experience

Could this time be different for Mustangs at Centennial?

May 8, 2025 | 10:28 AM

The 2024 Centennial Cup, it was an excellent two-week stretch by last year’s Mustangs that finished one win and one goal shy of their ultimate goal.

Now, this year provides a shot at redemption for a Melfort team that will return 13 players from a year ago, with everyone hopeful that this time around, they’ll be bringing home a National Championship Trophy.

“It’s a different venue this year, but I think we’re more prepared for what’s gonna come. We have guys who have been here before, and the planning has been pretty seamless. We can’t thank our support staff enough, it’s been unbelievable, and we’re extremely ready, focused and excited to get going,” said head coach Trevor Blevins.

“Obviously, we can’t control the results, and the competition is going to be different than last year, so we just have to focus in and control our work ethic and how we prepare and execute. That’s always our whole focus.”

The Mustangs went 12-2 in the SJHL Playoffs this year, en route to back-to-back championships.

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This came after a franchise record 46 wins in the regular season, as this team went wire to wire in their determination to get back to the national stage.

“Obviously, we’re grateful to be here again, but honestly, the guys deserve to be here. They’ve been unbelievable, and they won another SJHL Championship, so they earned their way back. They’re excited, and it’s up to them as far as how far this goes. We’re one of 10 teams that can win this thing, so we gotta make sure we’re ready every day,” Blevins added.

“We’re confident in the day-to-day and how things operate, so we’re prepared that way for sure because of the experience. Again, though, it’s a different sheet of ice, so there’s a whole bunch of different factors that are involved here. We just have to prepare for each opponent like we always do.”

The Blue and Green begin their four-game preliminary round with the primetime game (7:30 p.m.) on Day 1 (Thursday) of the tournament against the host Calgary Canucks.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

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