The Melfort Mustangs are excited to welcome seven new players into their organization after the 2022 SJHL Draft’s where 2006 and 2007 born players were drafted.
“We are very happy with how the draft turned out for us,” said Director of Player Personnel Rick Oakes. “We were able to get a lot of players that were high on our priority list, we’re excited to welcome all seven of our picks into the Melfort Mustang program and are excited to see them at future camps.”
2006 Draft:
Round 1 – Pick 10 – 10th Overall: F – Riley Ashe (6’/161lbs) (Warman, SK)
With the 10th Overall Pick in the 2006-born draft, the Mustangs selected forward Riley Ashe from the Saskatoon Blazers. Ashe scored nine goals and added 18 assists for the Blazers U18AAA squad in 43 games this season. He added two assists in seven playoff games. Ashe, also played in one pre-season game with the Mustangs before the 2021/2022 SJHL season, scoring on his first shot on net, and adding an assist.
Ashe is younger brother of former Mustang Dylan Ashe who passed away in September of 2020.
“Riley is a very skilled young player that has the potential to develop into a very talented junior hockey player,” Oakes said. “The Ashe family is a very big part of the Mustang family, and we’re happy to continue our strong relationship with them moving forward.”
Round 2 – Pick 8 – 20th Overall: D – Cohen Swan (6’3”/170lbs) (Saskatoon, SK)
With the 20th Overall Pick in the 2006-born draft, the Mustangs selected defenceman Cohen Swan from the Saskatoon Riverkings. Swan led Riverking defencemen in goals and points this past season as he scored 11 times and added 10 assists for 21 points in 31 games. Swan added a goal and an assist in three playoff games.
Round 3 – Pick 5 – 29th Overall: F – Sam Grosso (6’/165lbs) (Saskatoon, SK)
With the 29th Overall Pick in the 2006-born draft, the Mustangs selected forward Sam Grosso from the Saskatoon Riverkings. Grosso was tied for second on the Riverkings in goals, and sixth in points this season. He scored 18 goals and added 12 assists for 30 points in 33 games. In 3 playoff games, Gross would also contribute one goal.
Round 4 – Pick 5 – 41st Overall: F – Evhan Allan (6’2”/165lbs) (Davidson, SK)
With the 41st Overall Pick in the 2006-born draft, the Mustangs selected forward Evhan Allan from Prairie Hockey Academy U16 Prep. Allan scored eight goals and added 12 assists for 20 points in 36 games in the CSSHLU16 league. His 20 points were tied for sixth on his team.
There are also a number of family connections with Evhan and the Allan family as his brother Nolan is a current Prince Albert Raider, and 1st Round NHL Draft pick, and his brother Blake is a veteran of over 200 WHL games. Evhan’s Uncle Chad was a member of Canada’s World Junior team twice in 1995 and 1996, winning in 1996.
Round 5 – Pick 10 – 58th Overall: F/D – Scott McLean (5’7”/150lbs) (Melfort, SK)
With the 58th Overall Pick in the 2006-born draft, the Mustangs selected versatile player Scott McLean from the Prince Albert Mintos who can play both forward and defence. McLean scored one goal and added three assists for the Mintos this year in 44 games in U18AAA. He would also add one goal in four playoff games for the Mintos.
Round 6 – Pick 10 – 70th Overall: D – Kyle Lardner (6’2”/172lbs) (Saskatoon, SK)
With their final pick in the 2006-born portion of the draft, the Mustangs selected defenceman Kyle Lardner from the Saskatoon Riverkings. Lardner, who played with Swan and Gross this season, scored five goals and added eight assists for the Riverkings in the U18 AA league.
2007 Draft:
Round 2 – Pick 10 – 22nd Overall: F – Owen Nelson (6’1”/161lbs) (Prince Albert, SK)
With their only pick in the 2007-born portion of the 2022 SJHL Draft, the Mustangs selected forward Owen Nelson from the Prince Albert Pirates U15AA squad. Nelson scored 36 goals and added 32 assists for 68 points in 31 games in the U15 AA league this season. Nelson led the team in goals, assists, and points during the year. He would also lead the team in playoff scored, notching two goals and adding two assists in three games. Nelson was also called up to the Prince Albert Mintos U18 AAA team for one regular season and one playoff game this year.