In a nostalgic nod, the Williams Lake Mustangs will hit the ice wearing their original jerseys against the 100 Mile House Wranglers on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Honouring the legacy of the players that built the Mustangs 40 years ago, this year’s team will don the classic red and yellow on white with the racing mustang across the chest. Former Mustangs alumni will be hosted in the VIP section during the game, and be given a tour of the arena and meet the new generation of Mustangs.
“We’ve been planning this basically since we decided that we were going to name this team the Williams Lake Mustangs,” says Head Coach and GM, Tyrel Lucas. “We wanted to make it a big deal, bring the jerseys out, and also have the alumni support the game as well.”
“It’s celebrating the team’s history, it’s honouring the legacy of the players who helped build the foundation of the Mustangs in the community. We’re just super excited to be wearing the jerseys for the first time this weekend.”
Coach Lucas says the community has reached out appreciating the announcement of the retro jerseys, and the nostalgia that comes with them. Lucas, being “super proud” of the new gen’s colours and logo, is glad to celebrate the team’s history through the jersey, with hopes to bring back the classic look in future games.
The game between the Mustangs and Wranglers could shake up the standings of the Cariboo Cup. A regional challenge between the three Cariboo teams, 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, and Quesnel, that Lucas says has been great to support and play against home rivals, and build a new foundation of great hockey in the Cariboo.
“It’s been great, we’ve been in contact with them [the Cariboo teams] and we hope and wish each community the best. We want this to be a sustainable thing for years to come. It’s obvious on the ice that everyone wants to win. It’s great for all three teams and communites to only drive an hour to play and watch a great game of hockey.”
The puck drops between the Mustangs and Wranglers at 7 p.m at the Cariboo Memorial Rec Complex, in Williams Lake.
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