After three years wearing the Pontiac jersey, Ryan Symington will be sporting some different colours.
Starting in September, the 21-year-old will be swapping out his gold and black for blue and green as he starts his first season with the Portage College Voyageurs.
On June 12, they announced Symington's move to the Voyageurs, with Pontiacs' head coach and general manager Rick Swan first to congratulate him on his success.
“Ryan is someone who best represents his team, his community and our league through his character, positive attitude, dedication, leadership and combines a high sense of athletic ability with professionalism both on and off the ice,” Swan noted in a release.
He continued, “Ryan Symington embodies these traits by being a leader by example and whatever expectations he has of others he first expects it from himself. He holds himself to a high standard both on and off the ice in order to represent our organization and the AJHL in a manner beyond reproach.”
As Symington finished his final year with the team that has shaped him both as a player and a person, he was in search of somewhere he could continue his education while still playing the sport he loves.
Portage College called Symington about the opportunity to play for the Voyageurs. After touring the Lac La Biche Portage College campus, he agreed it was a good move.
Since committing to the team, the Voyageurs have found themselves a new home. The City of Cold Lake made an agreement with Portage College, and have committed to the Voyageurs for a minimum of three years.
“I haven't had a chance to go to Cold Lake's rink yet, but I am sure it's another nice facility,” expressed Symington.
When it comes to the Voyageurs, Symington said he is thrilled to play with a college team, even though he has not seen them play first-hand.
“I am excited to come onto a new team. I haven't done that in three years,” he added.
The benefit of joining a college so close to home is the ability for his friends, family, and fans to still see him play a higher level of hockey.
For his family in particular, who live in Lloydminster, the drive is under two-hours.
“It's still close for my family to come,” said Symington. “I've developed a lot of friendships and family around Bonnyville now. It's great that I get to stay in the Lakeland area. It's close enough that it's just a short drive back to Bonnyville.”
While playing for the Voyageurs, Symington will be studying in the diesel engine technician program. Although he has been out of school for a few years, he is eager to get back into the academic mindset.
During his last season with the Pontiacs, Symington received the Alberta Junior Hockey League Don McNabb Memorial Trophy as the most dedicated player of the 2016/17 season. With a total of 38 points, the Mannville, AB native scored 12 goals and 26 assists and spent his last season as captain of the team.
“I think I developed quite strongly as a leader during my time in Bonnyville,” Symington said “I'm hoping to continue to develop as a player and person, just in all ways.”
One thing he will have to get used to is playing with an older demographic. In Junior A, players are 18 to 20 years old. Symington will now be playing with 20 to 25-year-old players.
Another difference is the amount of time spent on the ice.
“College is definitely a lot less hockey busy. It's supposed to be more based on academics, and hockey comes second. In juniors, hockey was everything for us,” Symington said. “It's a different level of hockey, but the scheduling and everything is worked around schooling not just hockey.”
In closing, he wanted to thank his friends, family, fans, and the Pontiacs for everything they have done. Without them, he said, he wouldn't be where he is today.
