The U of S Huskies men's hockey team hosts the MacEwan Griffins at Merlis Belsher Place in Saskatoon (Photo courtesy: Electric Umbrella/Derek Elvin, Huskies Athletics)

By Ben Tompkins

Donning the 'C'

Former Melfort Mustang named new Huskie’s captain

Oct 3, 2024 | 5:11 PM

A name familiar to Melfort Mustangs fans has been tasked to lead the University of Saskatchewan Huskies this season.

Justin Ball was announced as the men’s hockey team’s newest Captain earlier this week.

Ball, who is about to enter his fifth season with the U of S, played with the Mustangs for three full seasons from 2016-2019 before going back home to Saskatoon to begin his university career.

“To say it’s an honour to wear the C would be an understatement because the Huskie program has meant the world to me, especially being from Saskatoon. I remember going to the games when I was younger and to think then that I would have the chance to lead this team, with the very high hopes we have this year, it’s just incredible,” he said.

“Coming to the University of Saskatchewan was the best decision I ever made and I love it here, but I wouldn’t be where I was if I wasn’t a Melfort Mustang. The coaching staff, the community, and the teams I played on there, I owe a lot to it all. I find myself reminiscing sometimes and I never thought I’d be playing hockey till I was this old, so I always want to keep that connection.”

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In a combined 104 games as a Dog, including 30 last year as an assistant captain, Ball has produced 69 points (39 goals and 30 assists) at the USports level. Meanwhile, in a combined 181 contests as a Stang, including 74 in his final season (which he wore an A on his chest for), the now 26-year-old had 97 goals and 101 assists in Junior A.

During that 2018/19 campaign, Ball led the SJHL in scoring and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player.

“I think the leadership group there was also pretty successful as far as how we operated as a team and how everyone was so tight. I think that you can draw parallels to this team here, so that kind of just helps out. It’s just one of those things where you look back on it and you think about what we did right there and how we can bring it to this year here,” added Ball.

“I’ve also learned that every year is a new experience here in Saskatoon and I’ve had the chance to watch four other captains who did a great job and I got to learn from them. I picked up on what they did well, which was mostly everything they did, so that should be very helpful for me this year.”

As his final season approaches, beginning this weekend against the Regina Cougars, the six-foot, 209-pound left winger is just excited to spend another year of hockey in the province of Saskatchewan, something he’s been able to do his whole career.

Ball is also more than ready to put in the hard work it takes and is prepared to soak up every last minute of playing the game he loves, at the highest level possible.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On X @BenTompkins_8