“This particular showcase was the most interest we’ve had in our kids since I’ve been here as a coach.”
Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs head coach Rick Swan said this year’s AJHL showcase, hosted in Camrose Sept. 26 to 28, was a successful one for the team. Not only did they walk away with four points from their two wins against Camrose and Whitecourt, but the athletes also had great exposure to universities and colleges from across North America.
“Our players ended up having a lot of good conversations with them as hockey players, and potentially about their programs. As a coach and an organization, we’re trying to push our players onto the next level,” Swan explained.
Goalie Easton Hesse agreed.
“I feel like we played some better teams this year than we did last year, so obviously playing better teams is better competition so we’re going to get some more looks.”
Swan believes the franchise record-breaking season last year is another factor when it comes to the team turning some heads.
“Not everybody can win a championship every year, but the measures of success for your program is bringing players in, and helping them move onto the next level. This was an opportunity to network with those college coaches, and that networking allows them to be able to come to your program more often,” he detailed. “We’ve had some great kids come out to Bonnyville and they’ve done very well at that level. It really is a cycle process with recruiting more kids that you move onto the next level, the better your recruiting is going to be for bringing in young kids because they’ll know that you’ll work hard for them to give them that exposure that they’re looking for.”
For Hesse, getting to the NCAA level is where he’s hoping his career will take him and he knows being a Pontiac is a way to get there.
“We have a great program, and I know Rick does a great job of getting scouts and coaches in to watch us.”
Overtime win for Pontiacs
During the first game against the Camrose Kodiaks on Friday, Sept. 27, Bonnyville fought hard for the 3-2 victory.
Pontiac Lucas Thorne started the scoring off just over four minutes into the first frame.
Camrose managed to tie it up 1-1 shortly after.
Before the first period was through, Jeremy Gervais found the back of the Kodiaks’ net to bring Bonnyville ahead 2-1.
The teams were evenly matched for a majority of the second, but Camrose snuck the puck past the Pontiacs to tie the game at two apiece.
Neither team added to their score before the final buzzer blew, which brought the game into overtime.
Alexander Marrocco solidified the Pontiacs win at the 3:28 mark to finish the game.
Taming the Wolverines
Fresh off their overtime win, the Pontiacs kept the momentum going when they bested the Whitecourt Wolverines 2-1.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, the only point in the first went to Pontiac Thomas Kramer.
Whitecourt didn’t like the lead Bonnyville had over them and quickly tied it up less than two minutes into the second.
The final point of the game went to Thorne in the second, as neither team made a change to the scoreboard before the final whistle blew.
Since Bonnyville is a young team, Swan noted the victories they’re getting are “elevating the group we’ve got.”
“You don’t learn a lot when you win by a wide margin, you win by the close games because it forces you to compete and mentally focus each and every single game,” he continued.
A stand out for Swan in both games was Hesse, who made a total of 68 saves out of 71 shots on goal over the weekend.
“If Easton hadn’t already shown the league that he may be one of the best goaltenders in the AJHL before this showcase, he definitely solidified that against Camrose and Whitecourt,” he exclaimed. “He was exceptional. He gave us a chance to win, and he definitely turned heads of a lot of people in terms of where his games going to go. Not only this year, but certainly at the college level.”
The Pontiacs hope to continue their win streak during their next home game against the Lloydminster Bobcats on Wednesday, Oct. 2. The puck drops at the R.J. Lalonde arena at 7 p.m.
