BONNYVILLE - Five members of the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs were nominated for six Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) nominations as part of the League Award Finalists for the 2023-24 season.
Luka Sukovic has been nominated for Most Valuable Player-Alberta Old Time Hockey Players Trophy and for the Top Forward Award.
Dante Siciliano was nominated for Rookie of the Year – Dick White Trophy, while teammate JR Ashmead received a nomination for Outstanding Defenceman – W.G. (Bill) Scott Memorial Trophy.
A nomination for Top Goaltender went to Bodee Weiss and Nicolas Beaudoin was nominated for Most Dedicated Player.
According to the AJHL, a final stage of voting will determine the award winners following the completion of the AJHL regular season and throughout the AJHL 2024 playoffs.
Neil Langridge, associate general manager of the Pontiacs, said these nominations are a great feat for the players and the organization.
“I believe it is a testament to the type of players and the top end recruiting that we put a ton of focus into year in and year out,” Langridge told Lakeland This Week. “Chad Nelson, our other Associate GM, does the bulk of the recruiting, and he continues to bring players in that help push us to the top every year.”
On Friday, the Pontiacs will kick off the AJHL playoffs at home against the Drumheller Dragons, with a 7 p.m. puck drop. Langridge said with the playoffs just around the corner, the Pontiacs are focusing on the small details that often separate teams in the post-season.
“We are looking to try and stay healthy so that our group can extend their season as long as possible,” he said.
Goaltender
Weiss said being nominated for the Goaltender award is amazing, and it feels great to be recognized as one of the top goalies in the league.
“For myself as a third-year guy, I believe it’s a testament to the work I've put in during the season and in the off-season, making sure I can do everything possible to help my team win,” Weiss said.
Weiss has maintained a 21-14-4 record throughout the season and feels confident going forward into the playoffs.
“I had a great playoff run last season as we made it to the north finals. [I am] looking to build off of that for this playoff run,” he said.
“I believe we have a great group of guys with a lot of talent who can really take it far this year, hopefully outdoing our performance last year and bringing a trophy back to Bonnyville."
Double nominee
As a double nominee, Sukovic says, "It feels good to get recognition, but it wouldn’t be possible without my billets, teammates and the opportunities the coaches gave me this year.”
He believes the nominations will help him further his hockey career.
"It will be a boost for sure, because playing with confidence is so important for players and being recognized by the league definitely adds to my confidence level, which will only help me in the playoffs and moving onto Clarkson for next year.”
Sukovic will be heading south next year to attend Clarkson University and play hockey and attend university. Clarkson University Golden Knights are a division I team located in Potsdam, New York, and play in the ECAC of the NCAA
Beaudoin acknowledged for dedication
Beaudoin says "It is a great honour to be recognized by the league and to be one of the four nominees for this award. It means the world to me to have my efforts and passion for the game I love most be recognized.”
The hockey player, who is from St. Paul, she he takes “immense pride in setting a positive example and serving as a role model to my teammates and young athletes in the community both on and off the ice.”
When asked what the nomination means to him, Beaudoin says, “I really believe in leaving a place better than when you found it, and ever since I became a Bonnyville Pontiac, that has been my focus.”
*This story was updated on March 12 at 1:40 p.m.
