MELFORT — For a lot of players who play junior A, the dream is to receive a scholarship to play post-secondary hockey.
For former Melfort Mustangs forward, and 2017-2018 captain Andrew Thompson, that dream became reality, as the 21-year-old forward recently announced his commitment to Selkirk College in Castlegar, B.C.
“It was pretty exciting,” he said of the commitment.
“It took a little bit of patience but once it came around it was real exciting and I’m super proud of myself to finally get to the next level and get to go to school and play some hockey.”
Thompson will join the Saints hockey club, after spending three seasons playing junior A hockey, first with the Humboldt Broncos before being traded to the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s Whitecourt Wolverines, and then to the Melfort Mustangs a short time later.
Thompson’s junior A career concluded with the Lethbridge, Alta. native appearing in 53 games with the Broncos, eight with the Wolverines and 102 regular season contests with the Mustangs.
Over his 163 game junior A career, the 6’2” forward posted 35 goals, 28 assists, 63 points, and 217 penalty minutes.
In nine junior A playoff games, all with the Mustangs, Thompson posted two assists and 17 penalty minutes.
Thompson, having spentthree seasons playing junior A hockey, including the most recent as captain, says it was a combination of fit and familiarity that lead him to his Selkirk commitment.
“They just had some really good programs, they offered an opportunity I couldn’t turn down and the [hockey] program’s amazing there. I have a friend that’s playing out there so it will be nice to be able to live with him and pursue what I want to pursue.”
Thompson admits that having one of his friends, someone who already has a year of collegiate hockey experience will be a help as he looks to carve out his own path both on the ice and in the classroom.
“He’s already got a year of college experience and I’ve been out of school for a little bit so he can definitely help me with my school work if I ever need help. And with meeting new people he’s definitely going to be right there with me so it’ll help me get out and about.”
While Thompson was not posting gaudy offensive numbers in junior, the former Mustang says he expects to bring a complete game to the Saints program, including size and leadership.
“When I get out there it will be nice to be able to play a hard physical game and [bring] some good two-way forward abilities.”
Of course, there is also the school side of being a student athlete, and while Thompson has not yet nailed down a program for school, he did say he was leaning toward studying education with a focus on history.
“It’s kind of flip-flopped a couple times,” he admitted.
“So right now that’s what I’ve applied for and I’m hoping to get into that program.”
