BONNYVILLE – Once news of Head Coach Rick Swan’s departure from the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs broke, he was overwhelmed with an outpouring of messages filled with support and congratulations on his success with the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) organization.
On April 6, an official media release informed the public of the mutual decision by Swan and the Bonnyville Pontiacs organization to part ways, effective immediately.
“Rick Swan is an elite coach with a long history of success in junior hockey. Under his leadership the Pontiacs have built a culture of excellence, and a strong organization based on respect, integrity and community service,” stated the AJHL organization.
“The Pontiacs thank Rick Swan for his outstanding dedication to our program over the last 10 years and wish him the very best in his future endeavours,” continued the statement.
No other changes to the Pontiacs hockey operations staff will be made, according to the organization. The Pontiacs have already started to review expressions of interest from candidates for the head coach position.
In 2012, Swan began his journey with the Jr. A Pontiacs as the assistant coach. Following his first season, Swan took over the role of head coach and general manager after Chad Mercier handed over the reins and retired from coaching.
In the new role, Swan led the organization in a new direction.
Not only was it Swan’s intention to grow a team of exceptional athletes, but he wanted to create a group of exceptional human beings with strong character as well. For the last decade, that is what Swan accomplished.
“I appreciated the organization in allowing me to impart a philosophy of bringing to our community young men of character, so that they could make a positive impact both on and off the ice,” Swan told Lakeland This Week.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead an organization for such a long time and again appreciate everything that Bonnyville and the Pontiacs have given me the blessing to do.”
Beyond training hard at the Centennial Centre, Pontiacs players could be regularly seen throughout the year volunteering their time at local schools and at community events – just one element of Swan’s legacy with the organization.
Swan stood behind the bench for 546 games over the past nine seasons and supported the team to 292 victories, making Swan the Pontiacs’ most “winningest” coach.
But, the last decade was filled with so many more successes for the Pontiacs and Swan.
Under Swan’s leadership, the Bonnyville Pontiacs achieved two 40-win seasons, a North Division final, over 100 NCAA player commitments, and more than 1,000 cumulative volunteer hours spent in the community.
“What I walk away from the Pontiacs most proud of is the 106 - and counting - players that played here and eventually moved on to the college level. This year we had 13 alone, and to put things in perspective in my first year we only had one,” emphasized Swan.
The former head coach worked to achieve a balance between winning as the expectation, while also emphasizing the focus of having a “servant culture” as a direct pathway to developing good men to be strong citizens.
“That was always most important in the culture that we have in place,” he added.
Becoming quickly embedded in the Bonnyville community and synonymous with the Pontiac’s brand, Swan was recognized far beyond the Lakeland.
He participated in three World Junior A Challenge Cups as a coach representing Team Canada West, he travelled to a World Cup in Sochi, Russia, to represent Canada, and he represented Canada West at a CJHL top prospects event.
He also received AJHL Coach of the Year, 22 AJHL league nominations, 12 league All-stars nods and most recently the Hockey Alberta Order of Merit Award in 2020.
“The Pontiacs are in a great state today with very good people involved to ensure it will continue to grow in the right direction. Ten years flew by,” he said.
Swan notes that his departure will not change the progress that is taking place on the ice. “We are so close to taking the next step towards bringing a championship to this community,” he said.
What Swan will do next has yet to be decided.
“Bonnyville and the Pontiacs will always carry a special place in my heart, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to be a small part of the history of the organization,” said Swan. “Nothing is off the table whether I stay in hockey, as there have been offers already, or utilize skills that I had as a police officer – but there is no hurry at this moment.”
While Swan and his wife Sue have grown deep ties to the community, they are both excited to enjoy their time as new grandparents.
Prior to Swan’s work with the Pontiacs, he was the assistant coach for the Sherwood Park Crusaders and worked with Hockey Alberta as a coach after a 26-year career with the Edmonton Police Service.
“I cherish the friendships we made and having the privilege of working with hundreds of exceptional young men who will do great things in the world when hockey is all said and done for them,” Swan added.
“Doctors, police officers, teachers, engineers, financial planners, coaches, firemen, husbands, fathers and great citizens is now the life after being a Pontiac for so many of the young men I started with 10 years ago.”
Thanks coach
The following are some of the messages relayed to Swan by players and others he’s worked alongside
“I just wanted to reach out and say how much I enjoyed playing for you this year. I learned a ton from you on and off the ice and how to ‘be a pro’ in all aspects of the game. I’m so grateful that I had the chance to play for you,” Charlie Russell, current Pontiac.
“Hey coach. I’m very sorry to hear you won’t be continuing as our head coach. I’ve never had a coach who cared as much about the players well-being and development as you have and thank you for that. The past two years have been the best in my hockey career, and I owe that to you,” JR Ashmead, current Pontiac.
“Hey Rick, heard about the news just wanted to reach out and thank you for everything you’ve done for me and the Pontiacs. You’ve helped me grow so much and taught me what it takes to succeed in life and for that I’ll forever be grateful. Wish you and Sue nothing but the best in the future!” Austin Saint, current Pontiac.
“Loved catching up and chatting with Rick. This guy had all the time in the world for people. (I) wish nothing but the best for (Rick Swan),” Taylor Pope, Fort McMurray Oil Barons media.
“In my time in Bonnyville, Rick was always great with his time and giving me access to the players to get the best story. Rick was one of the smarter hockey minds I’ve spoken with,” Riley Maracle, former Bonnyville Nouvelle sports reporter.
“Congratulations on a great run and super proud to say you were my coach when I was there. You built that program and got it to where it is today and had a positive impact on so many players that went through that organization! Sad to see you're not the head coach anymore, but you definitely left the organization in a lot better place than when you got it. Wish you all the best in your future endeavours Swany!” Dillon McCombie, former player.
“That organization is in a much better place with what you have done for it! You’re still my all-time favourite coach and you have had a huge impact on my life, and I can’t thank you enough. Congrats again, excited to see what’s next for you,” Steenn Pasichnuk, former player.
“Can never thank you enough for sending Alden Dupuis to us. You are an all-star and one of my favourite coaches that I have dealt with over the years. (I have) Always appreciated your honesty and integrity. Maybe you should teach a course... for Minor Hockey and Junior Hockey coaches,” Brian Hills, NCAA Tigers coach with Rochester Institute of Technology.
