In the season opener Friday, the Mustangs narrowly lost 2-1 to the Provo Predators, who secured victory with an early overtime goal. The Mustangs quickly bounced back Saturday, defeating the Idaho Falls Spud Kings by a score of 3-2.

Prior to Friday’s game against Provo, the Mustangs inducted Jake Meure’s No. 3 jersey into the team’s Hall of Fame after his three-year career in Ogden. Jake played for the Mustangs from 2020-2023 and recorded 81 goals and 145 assists for a total of 226 points in his tenure.

“I never thought that it would ever be an option to have my name in the rafters,” Meure said. “It’s surreal. It’s hard to think about sometimes but I thank the Mustangs a lot and I loved my time here as a Mustang.”

Before this season, the Mustangs were promoted within the United States Premier Hockey League to its National Collegiate Development Conference.

The USPHL plays a vital role in providing a clear pathway for high school graduates who aspire to progress through Junior Hockey on their way to college and potentially professional hockey careers. The primary goal of the USPHL is to prepare and develop players for college hockey and beyond through its tiered development program.

“It’s an honor,” Mustangs head coach Kenny Orlando said “This city is extremely loyal to our team and our group of boys and for me, it’s an honor to be a part of that and to help these kids grow on the ice as hockey players — but also off the ice as young men. Seeing them come through Ogden and to where their hockey career takes them, it’s a beautiful thing.”

The selection of teams for USPHL divisions considers various factors including geography, the strength of player pools, rink ownership, financial stability, a history of success, and integrity at the highest level of competition.

The Ogden Mustangs are in the NCDC’s Mountain division which includes formidable opponents like the Pueblo Bulls, Provo Predators, Idaho Falls Spud Kings, Rock Springs Grizzlies, and the Utah Outliers.

Ogden is set to play a total of 53 games this season, running from Friday’s opener to March 23, 2023, with 24 of them hosted at the Ogden Ice Sheet.

The Mustangs next play at home against the Utah Outliers on Friday, Oct. 6 with the puck dropping at 7:15 p.m. at the Ice Sheet.