~ Article courtesy Melfort Mustangs, image courtesy Broad Leaf Media
Marco Lopez’s path through the SJHL has not been linear one. The 20-year-old forward out of Grand Prairie, Alta. joined the Melfort Mustangs for the 2019-2020 season and since then has become a relied upon scoring option for Trevor Blevins group.
Prior to joining the Mustangs, Lopez showed his scoring ability in his final U18 season as he played for the Calgary Buffaloes. He scored 13 goals that season, fifth most on the Buffs. Lopez would also have an excellent showing at the Telus Cup that season earning five points in seven games.
Lopez would then come to Melfort and be the third highest scoring rookie on the team that season scoring nine goals, and adding eight assists. His highlight that season was a four goal effort against the Humboldt Broncos on October 5, 2019.
It looked as though the 6’1” sniper would improve on his nine-goal rookie season during the 2020/2021 season, but the COVID-19 pandemic limited Lopez to just five games, scoring one goals and adding one assist.
Heading into this season, the opportunity was there for Lopez to be a massive contributor for the Mustangs. Although, an injury in training camp led to Lopez missing the first two games of the regular season. However, Lopez returned on Sept. 28, 2021 and opened his season with a goal and an assist. Since then, he hasn’t looked back and has notched 21 goals and 23 assists for 44 points in 45 games. He’s had a pair of hat-tricks and 12 multi-point games. Lopez also had a 10 game point streak where he scored 20 points.
And as Lopez approaches 100 career SJHL, he’ll most certainly remain a key offensive cog for the Mustangs who are currently in the heat of the home stretch, looking for home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
