(Melfort Mustangs/Facebook)

By Ben Tompkins

RBC Community Ambassador

Austin Shepherd: Melfort Mustangs’ Community Ambassador

Jan 23, 2026 | 2:51 PM

Austin Shepherd is this year’s RBC Community Ambassador for the Melfort Mustangs.

Shepherd, an assistant captain with the team, is in his third and final year with the club.

He was recently acknowledged prior to a Mustangs’ game, as the club’s representative in the SJHL-wide competition.

“It’s a huge honour, and I’m just very thankful that I got chosen to do it. It’s obviously amazing to get awarded like that before a game and stuff, and it’s awesome to be a part of this community. They support us so well, and they’re always a part of our journey, so for the last three years, it’s been awesome to help out the community and do stuff with them outside the rink,” Shepherd told northeastNOW.

“This community means everything to me. Coming here, back when I was 18, everyone was so immediately welcoming, and they’ve been so supportive of us, which has really fueled our runs these past two years. A lot of the stuff we’ve been able to do wouldn’t be possible without the community’s support, so they’re a huge deal. This community means so much that my entire family even moved here, so that just says a lot about Melfort.”

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Shepherd, originally from Kerrobert, Sask., is now able to call himself a Melfort boy because he and his whole family are here.

With his nomination, he is able to donate $1,000 through RBC to Brunswick Elementary School. Should he beat out all of his fellow SJHL community ambassadors, he would be able to donate an additional $2,500.

Fans will be able to vote online to choose said recipient at the end of the SJHL regular season.

“It’d be a huge honour to win, I don’t want to think too far ahead, but it would just be huge. There are a lot of good people out there who do a lot of good things in their communities, so it’d be an absolute honour, for sure,” Shepherd added.

“All those kids at the schools love seeing and having us around. You go reading in the schools, and they all know your name, and they’re just super excited. Those kids look up to us as role models, and we’re like NHL players to them in the community, so it’s just an awesome pleasure to get to donate to them.”

Shepherd has been credited with volunteering with the Learn to Skate program and Minor Hockey twice a week, as well as helping out with a morning skills skate twice a week. He has also been involved with the Read with the Mustangs program at the Public Library for the last 2 seasons, and is always one of the first to step up and offer help.

According to the Mustangs, Shepherd “leads by example, is reliable and always respectful to the people around him. He communicates well and takes accountability, holding himself to high standards. He goes out of his way to make sure everyone is included and having fun, and is always taking the time to talk to kids and make them feel heard.”

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8