Nolan Kadachuk

Nolan Kadachuk is looking fairly comfortable in his “new” surroundings as the 18-year-old blueliner is playing a big role in the Melfort Mustangs being one of the stingiest teams to score against in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

After spending the last two seasons playing Midget AAA hockey less than an hour away in Tisdale, Kadachuk has returned home to secure a spot with the Mustangs, a team that enters the second half of the schedule having allowed just 82 goals against in the first 34 games.

The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Kadachuk has also contributed offensively to the Mustangs as his two goals and six assists in 27 games is fourth amongst rearguards on the squad. Six of those eight points have come while the Mustangs are playing on the road including a pair in the final four games before Melfort went on their Christmas break.

Prior to joining his hometown Mustangs, Kadachuk enjoyed a pair of successful campaigns with the Tisdale Trojans of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. During each of this seasons Kadachuk helped the Trojans reach the league final only to lose to the Notre Dame Hounds in 2015-16 and the Regina Pat Canadians in 2016-17.

Kadachuk played in 72 regular-season games over that span collecting three goals and 20 assists, but he also appeared in 25 post-season tilts where he added another two goals and four helpers.

Kadachuk also dressed for seven games with the Trojans as a 15-year-old, but the majority of his initial midget season was spent with the North East Wolfpack of the Centre-Four Hockey League where he posted a goal and eight assists in 27 contests.

The Mustangs had an off year last season after two straight Canalta Cup championships and it looks like they are ready to take another run at a league title this year. Kadachuk has played a big role in that turnaround and he will undoubtedly be leaned upon more as the season progresses. His experience in critical games with the Trojans over the past two years will not only help him this season, but it will go a long way in making him a mainstay for the future.