The Bonnyville Junior A Pontiacs recognized the blood, sweat, and tears that went into making this hockey season a success.
On Friday, May 19, the Pontiacs celebrated their latest season with their annual awards banquet, reveling the sportsmanship, dedication, and skills that the Pontiacs are made of.
The local team wrapped up their 25th season with the most points ever achieved in one year at 89. They had eight 19-goal scorers, a .745 winning percentage, 40 wins, nine tied games, and the least number of losses ever recorded in a single year.
The Pontiacs would never have done it without the dedication of their fans, billets, and volunteers.
“We could have a hockey team with players and a rink ready to go, but if we don't have volunteers and we don't have billet parents, then we don't have a hockey team. They're really one of the most important things. They're the people that help us sustain our organization,” said Pontiacs' general manager and head coach Rick Swan.
“They're everything to us. We wouldn't have a team or anything without them… They're the biggest factor of any hockey team, but especially Jr. A,” said centreman Alden Dupuis.
This was Dupuis' last season with the team, and after three years of being a Pontiac, he is moving on to play with the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers.
“Alden Dupuis has been a warrior. There is a guy that they said, ‘you're too small, you're not big enough, and you are not skilled enough.' All he did was go out there and compete every single game,” described Swan.
Swan stated that whenever he spoke of Dupuis' talent, he always reminded people that it wasn't the size of the man that made the player; it was the size of his heart and his character.
Dupuis left a lasting impression on his coaches and teammates, and this year received the three star award. Throughout the season, Dupuis was the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) star of the game 12 times.
He was named this year's top scorer and regular season MVP for the Pontiacs, playing 58 regular season games, scoring 26 goals and 32 assists.
The team also bid farewell to graduating players Ryan Piche, Ryan Symington, Gen Bryshun, and Erik Donald.
“Every year we have a turnover of people that we don't think can be replaced, and that's a good opportunity for the young guys to step up and play a key role and take a place of leadership,” Swan said.
Symington received the Bonnyville president award for his work on and off the ice, and was described as a great leader and dedicated player. He was named the leagues most dedicated player of the AJHL, receiving the Don McNabb Memorial Trophy.
“You don't get that award unless you play the game the right way and are the face of the organization and players respect playing against you,” said Swan. “He is everything. He does it right all of the time.”
Symington has been a Pontiac for the last three years. Swan said his last season was his best, with 12 goals and 26 assists for a total of 38 points in the regular season.
“He understands that doing it right is an all of the time thing.”
Graduating player Piche was presented the MVP playoff award. During playoffs, Piche scored five goals and three assists. He also received the top defensive player award.
PJ Marrocco landed himself the most improved player award with 50 points in the regular season. He scored 30 goals and 24 assists.
Donald was given the top defenceman award. He played 56 games during the regular season, scoring two goals and 30 assists.
The Matt Cooke unsung hero award was presented to the players who demonstrate the attitude and skills necessary for team success. This year, Derek Brown and Bryshun accepted the honour.
Bryshun played 31 regular season games, and racked up 18 points with three goals and 15 assists.
In his second regular season with the Pontiacs, Brown scored 24 goals and 33 assists in the 59 games he played, for a total of 57 points.
Isaac Saniga and Jake Gresh were named the players who have made the most significant contribution and improvement during their first year with the team, landing themselves the rookie of the year award.
Charlie Gawlicki also went home with some hardware after accepting the most gentlemanly player award.
Ending their chapter with the Pontiacs, Dupuis and Symington wanted to thank their billet families, fans, volunteers and coaches for the roles they played in their success.
“There aren't enough words to say thank you. I couldn't have imagined it with any other teammates, coaches, or any other community,” expressed Symington.
This year, the team had over 800 fans on average, a bump from the 500 fans they had five years ago.
Swan said, “They're everything, and I think they understand that we're a team that does things right both on and off the ice.
I am overwhelmed and humbled that I get to work in an organization with the best of the best… They motivate me every day to be a better coach and a better general manager. I know that if we want to reach a high level, it's because of their passion to this organization, and we're going to do this together.”
Leaving home at the age of 17 can be hard, and coming into a community you don't know and living with a family you have never met can be harder.
“It's a big change, but it gives you independence and it gives you an opportunity to try something new, to get out there and meet new people. Coming to a community like Bonnyville, it's just unbelievable,” Dupuis emphasized.
Symington also had a great experience. When he first moved into his billet home, he was lucky enough to have fellow Pontiacs by his side.
“We felt like we had been friends for a long time, but I had just met them. It made it so much easier to come into a new family with someone else that's new. I can't thank my billet parents enough for what they have done,” he described.
Calling Bonnyville home has had a major impact on the players. They both said that the community, the team, and their home away from home have played an important role in their development.
“It's shaped us into the men and the players that we are today. It's had a huge impact from on ice to off-ice, to how to deal with situations with friends and family,” Symington said.
Dupuis added. “It's been an amazing three years, it has developed me into the person I am today, and I am just so thankful for everyone. It was an unbelievable experience, and I wouldn't pass it up for anything.”
