BONNYVILLE – It was a stellar season for the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs who fought their way to the third round of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) playoffs.
The last time the Jr. A team would make it to the North Division finals was eight years ago. In total, the Pontiacs would play 82 games over the 2022-23 season, from exhibition games to the playoffs.
While the Pontiacs’ playoff run would be cut short in Game 5 of their series against the Spruce Grove Saints, the awards banquet held on April 19 was a night to reflect on an exceptional season.
Attending the awards banquet held at the NOVA VIP Lounge were volunteers, players’ families, billet families, coaches, the organization’s board members and of course, the 2022-23 season players.
Most Improved Player Award
Receiving the award for the most improved player went to Pontiacs’ player #21 Nicolas Beaudoin. The Pontiacs rookie would receive three more awards before the night wrapped up.
Most Gentlemanly Player Award
This year’s Most Gentlemanly Player is #17 Mike Cataldo. “Described as a great person who is honest, hard-working and ‘team first’ player. He is also selflessly involved in the community and embodies the traits of what a Bonnyville Pontiac is,” said associate general manager Neil Langridge.
Matt Cook Unsung Hero Award
“The Matt Cook Unsung Hero Award is presented annually to the Pontiac player consistently demonstrating the necessary attitudes and actions that are required for team success often without getting the deserved recognition for the true value that they add to their team. This player simply ‘shows up and gives it his all’ without expecting anything in return,” read Chad Nelson, the Pontiacs’ associate general manager.
This year’s winner of the Matt Cook Unsung Hero Award was presented to Pontiacs’ rookie #16 Max Seguin.
Matthew Cook played for the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs in the 2005-06 season. During that season and before the age of 18, Matt Cook was diagnosed with cancer. Matt would go on to win a bronze medal with the National Sledge Hockey Team in the 2009 World Championships.
President's Award
“This year’s recipient is an absolute leader through his example of dedication to our team as well as with the way in which he conducts himself as a person to those around him,” said Langridge. This season’s winner of the President’s Award was #13 Chayce Schmidt.
Rookie of the Year Award
Playing like a veteran in his rookie year and being recognized at the AJHL level as the league’s Rookie of the Year, it was no surprise when Beaudoin was called up to receive the Pontiacs’ Rookie of the Year Award.
Top Defensive Forward Award
Receiving the Top Defensive Player Award for the second year in a row was the Pontiacs’ team captain, player #25 Trey Funk.
Top Defenseman Award
“Our back end this season was as good as it gets,” said Nelson, before calling up the Pontiacs’ top defensemen of the 2022-23 season. The Top Defenseman Award was presented to Pontiacs’ player #4 JR Ashmead.
Three Star Award
At the end of each of the Bonnyville Pontiacs 60 regular season games, Viterra AJHL Stars are awarded to players from each team deemed to be that night's top player.
The Bonnyville Pontiac player who garnered the most Viterra Stars was none other than the St. Paul-native Beaudoin.
Top Scorer Award
This season’s Top Scorer Award was earned by Pontiacs’ #18 Matteo Giampa.
“He was not only able to keep up his scoring pace but also finished tied for sixth in franchise history for points in a single season with 92 and moved in third all time for the most assists in a single season with 65,” shared Nelson.
Regular Season MVP Award
“This year’s player made the most out of this season and has shown everyone just what can be accomplished when you take your investment to a higher level,” said Langridge.
The Pontiacs’ Regular Season MVP was presented to Giampa.
Playoff MVP Award
“With the Pontiacs’ post season success this year, it was crucial we had many players step up their games and leave it all on the ice. While we could have given this award to quite a few of our players, this young man changed his game, making the biggest change when the playoffs rolled around,” Langridge said.
This year’s recipient of the Playoff MVP Award was Pontiacs’ defenseman #15 Jack Budd.
Neil Crawley Memorial (+/-)
The Neil Crawley Award is presented to the Pontiac player with the top plus-minus record from the first game of the season to game 60 of the regular season.
This year's winner, Giampa, had a Plus 39 total. While Giampa almost always found himself on the scoresheet, he also had very few goals against.
Ma Hebert Award
Presenting the Ma Hebert Award was Dennis Germain. While the recipient, Herb Butt, was not able to attend the banquet, the long-time volunteer and supporter of the Jr. A organization sent his regrets.
Graduating Pontiacs
This year, nine Pontiacs players will graduate and move on from the Junior A level ready to make waves wherever they go next.
Players from the 2022-23 roster departing from the Pontiacs organization include Mike Cataldo, Jack Budd, Matteo Giampa, Travis Baker, Quinton Gove, Cole Tisdale, Liam Cavan, Trey Funk, and Chayce Schmidt.
