The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs held their season ending banquet on Saturday night with 12 players picking up hardware for their efforts during the past season.
The Most Improved Player award went to forward Ryan Symington who notched 20 points and played a key penalty-killing role.
The Most Gentlemanly Player award was given to Alden Dupuis who finished the year with eight penalty minutes.
The Matt Cook Unsung Player award was handed out to both Mitch Fritz and Braiden Doucette.
Both Brady Bakke and Bobby McMann were named recipients of the Presidents Award, which goes to a Pontiacs player who best represents his team to the community through his character, positive attitude, dedication, leadership and sportsmanship.
An eight goal and 21 assist campaign lead defenseman Brinson Pasichnuk to the Pontiacs Rookie of the Year award.
The Top Defensive Forward was given to both Evan Warminton and Steen Pasichnuk, who were put out on the ice in all situations.
The top defenseman award was handed to Ryan Black, who picked up 37 points in 53 games.
A 63-point regular season, which included 20 goals, propelled forward Dillan McCombie to the Top Scorer and Team MVP Awards.
Right behind him was Kyler Hehn, whose 28 goal, 60-point season led him to capture the teams 3-Star award.
After backstopping the Pontiacs through three rounds of the playoffs goaltender Troy Trombley was handed the Playoff MVP award.
The 2014-15 season was a year to remember for the Pontiacs as it was the best year in the franchise's 23-year history.
The club went 30-19-11 during the regular season to finish third in the North Division. They then went on a lengthy playoff run marching their way to Game 6 of the North Division Final before falling to the Spruce Grove Saints.
“We have created a tough standard for ourselves. Going into next year just being good isn't good enough,” said head coach and GM Rick Swan, addressing the 200 people in attendance.
The night started of with every single player on the roster taking centre stage to thank those in attendance for helping them make it through their historic season.
Swan then took over the microphone and addressed the seven graduating players, who will be leaving the team to pursue hockey at a higher level.
The list of departing players includes: Brady Bakke, Ryan Black, Cody Fiala, Mitch Fritz, Dillan McCombie, Troy Trombley and Evan Warmington.
Swan also took the time to talk about the team's mindset over the past season, which included a special focus on making sure every single one of their players leaves the team a better person.
“Our philosophy has always been more than hockey. It always has to be just as much about the person as it is the player,” said Swan. “This year we all worked extremely hard, our staff, volunteers, parents and billet parents, to ensure that the 2014-15 Pontiacs were exposed to a positive growth experience that focused on their physical well being.”
“Not once did we detract away from the importance of the person, in terms of making sure that the values derived from playing in our organization such as respect, cooperation, team work, dealing with adversity, sacrifice and teamwork were never neglected.”
The night was capped off with the presentation of awards and souvenirs.
Ten Pontiacs – Gen Bryshun, Holden Daley, Erik Donald, Alden Dupuis, Chad Hurtubise, Brinson Pasichnuk, Cory Santoro, Ryan Symington and Adam Wilson – were all presented with the pucks from their first AJHL goals. Steenn Pasichnuk was given the puck from the game in which he scored a natural hat trick. Dillan McCombie was given the puck from his 100th Jr. A goal and Evan Warmington was given the puck from his first goal as a Pontiac.
