Description
The Middleton and District Atom D Mustangs had a very successful regular season in 1987-88 under co-coaches Ed Reagh and Jeff Aldred. The seventeen member squad of ten and eleven year olds were led by the goal tending tandem of Bruce Colburne and Nick Prosser. The defence was anchored by Adam Aldred with much of the goal scoring from the trio of Carlyle Lewis, Shane Reagh and Tim Cole. The other eleven members of the this very capable team were Matthew Adams, Michael Johnson, Peter MacDonald, Jay MacPherson, Ronnie Melanson, Jacob Parsons, Aaron Shields, Steven Tanner, Shaun-Paul Thibault, Darren Veinotte and female sensation Melissa Welton.
After successfully completing the regular season in the Valley League, the Mustangs then won the Valley Zone Championship and the Western Nova Scotia Championship and the right to advance to the four team Provincial Championship in Port Hood, Cape Breton.
In opening day action on Friday, March 31st, the Mustangs downed Mabou 9-5. On Saturday, April 1st, they drubbed the host Port Hood team by the score of 12-1. In their second game of the day, the Mustangs fell to Chester 6-5 in a double overtime thriller. On Sunday, April 2nd, the championship game featured Middleton with a chance of revenge against Chester who had bested them the day before. Skating to their full potential, the Mustangs were not to be denied a second time but prevailed by the same score of 6-5 in regulation time.
At the Middleton and District Hockey Association Awards Banquet that spring, the Esso Medals of Achievement were awarded to Shane Reagh – Most Valuable Player, Shaun-Paul Thibault – Most Improved Player and Jacob Parsons – Most Sportsmanlike Player.
As Nova Scotia Provincial Atom D Champions for 1987-88, the Middleton Mustangs are most worthy inductees into the Sports Heritage Wall of Fame.