(Melfort Mustangs/Facebook)

By Ben Tompkins

From player to coach

Clarke Huxley hired as Mustangs’ new assistant coach

Jul 14, 2025 | 12:28 PM

The Melfort Mustangs have hired a new assistant coach, as yet another former player returned to be behind the bench.

Clarke Huxley is the newest member of the Mustangs’ coaching staff, replacing Tye Scherger’s former role.

“It’s special, just being a player there, it means a lot more. Wearing the jersey, you know what it means to be a Mustang, and being a part of that culture, so being able to help build upon that and the groundwork that’s already been laid, it means a lot,” Huxley told northeastNOW.

“I’m just really excited and grateful for this opportunity, because not very often do you get to go back and coach your former team. Obviously, the goal is always to win a championship, so whatever I can do to help the team go back and get the job done again, I’ve got to do. I think we have a really good team set up for this year, so I’m just really looking forward to getting started.”

Huxley played with the Mustangs for parts of two seasons, initially coming over in a trade from the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) midway through the 2021-22 campaign.

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In two years in Melfort, the Calgary, Alta. native played a combined 83 regular season and playoff contests, amassing 22 goals and 41 assists, good for 63 points. During the 2022/23 campaign with the Stangs, Huxley was an assistant captain.

Including his time in Fort Mac, the now 23-year-old has 130 games of Junior A experience, spanning three seasons, in which he registered 81 points.

“There are a lot of similarities between assistant captain and assistant coach, but it’s also a very different role. Being part of the leadership group is setting up that culture with the team and making sure that every guy knows the standard. As a coach, that’ll stay the same, I just won’t be in the room as much with the players. They’ll have their own leadership group and culture, but at the same time, I can add to it and draw from my playing and leadership experiences from those days, and try to mould those two together,” Huxley added.

“My relationship with (head coach Trevor) Blevins will definitely become a bit different as I’m not a player anymore, but I always had a good relationship with him when I was a player anyway. We’ve been chatting a little bit this summer, and I think it will transition well.”

A forward when he played, Huxley has been helping coach another one of his former teams these past two years, in the U17 AAA Calgary Northstars.

Since his playing days ended, the 6-2, 181-pounder explained he’s always been interested in following the coaching route.

“I think after playing, I always knew I wanted to coach. I didn’t know when that might end up being, but I always kind of said that now I’m not in it, as a player, coaching was the next best thing. The camaraderie, still being in the fight and part of the team, and still working every day for that same goal, you’re able to have that same sort of mindset as the players. It’s a new kind of passion,” Huxley said.

“I’ve chatted a few times with Tye (Scherger) since I saw that he was moving on to the WHL, which was awesome to see, and I got to congratulate him, so I’m sure he’s going to do great things. We also got to talk about the position in Melfort and what the day typically looks like, and he had nothing but good things to say. I think just talking with him really solidified in my mind that this was gonna be a good fit for me, and it just made the decision that much easier.”

Huxley and Scherger were teammates in Tye’s last year of Junior A eligibility, during the 2021/22 year.

Now, Huxley hopes to follow in his footsteps, as he’s seen various former teammates achieve a vast amount of success these past 24 months, both on the ice and behind the bench, for a Blue and Green team with high expectations that has ‘set the standard’ and is a ‘premier destination’.

“Huxley brings familiarity, passion, and a strong work ethic to the bench. During his time as a player, he was recognized by his teammates and coaches for his leadership, character, and team-first mentality. We’re thrilled to welcome Clarke back to the organization,” read a team press release.

“He knows what it means to wear the Mustang crest and brings a deep understanding of the culture we’ve built here. His experience as a former player and his passion for development will be a great asset to our team,” concluded Blevins.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8