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By Ben Tompkins

Mustangs' 20s

The SJHL defenceman of the year: Nic Andrusiak player profile

May 15, 2025 | 10:40 PM

The Melfort Mustangs are deep into the Centennial Cup again, which means their eight 2004-born players only have a weekend left in their junior hockey careers.

The hope is that the next couple of days will be the best and most memorable times of their lives.

In the case of Nic Andrusiak, he’s spent just one full season in Melfort, however, he’s made the most of it.

“I kind of knew I wasn’t gonna stick in the WHL as a 20-year-old, so as soon as my season ended there, I made an effort to try to get to a contending team in the SJ and Melfort was the perfect place, being that it was close to home and they won the championship last year. I knew they’d be a strong team coming back with all the returning guys, so I think it was a pretty good fit, and I think both Blevs and I are pretty happy with the move and how it all worked out,” said Andrusiak.

“Being a Tisdale guy, it was awesome to be in Melfort, especially during that championship series. I had my parents and siblings in the stands when we won, and I even played my minor hockey in Melfort, so it was a pretty full circle moment for me. Even having played with Somers back in minor hockey, it was pretty cool to do it with some familiar faces.”

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Now, the northeast local is on the national stage for the first time in his career, and he’s looking to help this year’s Blue and Green squad to that elusive National Championship.

“Obviously, it’s a big tournament, and my last and only chance at something like this. I’ve just been trying to make sure I don’t get too nervous and just think of these games as any other. Every game could be my last, so I just gotta make sure I’m dialled in and being a leader on this team,” Andrusiak added.

“I think it’s probably up there for the best year of my career, it’s been unreal. Just being close to home is obviously a big plus, it just doesn’t really feel like you’re away for hockey. It’s pretty well been a dream season, just being first place all year, running the table, and just how we were so bought in, and went to war with each other, we just did our thing, and then we come out on top. Also, with Blevs and Schergs, they’re unreal coaches, they know what we need, and they keep us accountable, so it’s a perfect situation.”

While Andrusiak has played just 57 games with the Stangs so far, the defenceman of the year has recorded 41 points.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

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