Most often it is said the third time’s a charm, but in the case of veteran Bonnyville Junior A Pontiacs player and St. Paul/Elk Point native Jordon Krankowsky, it may be the fourth time that is the charm.
In his fourth year with the team, the 20-year-old assistant captain is off to his best start yet. Less than two months into the season, the defensemen has 14 points, with two goals and an impressive 12 assists, which is just five off his total number of assists over the entire 2010-11 season.
“It’s been going good,” says Krankowsky, adding, “Everything’s coming together.”
On Oct. 15, Krankowsky had a three-point night against the Olds Grizzlys assisting in three of the team’s goals and helping to a 7-3 victory. He had another strong game last Wednesday with two assists, helping the team to a 4-3 win over the Sherwood Park Crusaders.
Overall, the Pontiacs have 14 wins and just five loses this season, putting them in second place in the North division of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, two points behind the first-placed Spruce Grove Saints.
Krankowsky admits he trained harder this summer than he had in previous seasons, but aside from that, he says he is simply working hard at practice and is hopeful his recent success will continue throughout the season.
“He’s got off to his best start of his four years with us,” says head coach Chad Mercier, who has coached the team all four years Krankowsky has played, along with assistant coach Ryan Pollock.
Mercier says the coaching staff always knew what Krankowsky was capable of, and believes that because Krankowsky is in his last year, he is striving to make it his best yet. Mercier also adds that Krankowsky has been a “big part” of the team’s early success this season.
“There’s lots of hockey left,” says the coach. “But we’ve got off to a good start.”
To add to Krankowsky’s success on the board, he was also named assistant captain this season.
“I think the leadership has always kind of been there,” says Mercier, but seeing how Krankowsky approached the season and the “frame of mind” he had coming into the year, “made it a no-brainer.”
As a whole, Krankowsky is happy with how the team is performing.
“I think we’ll do well. We’re starting to come together,” he says, adding, he believes the Pontiacs will finish near the top of the division, if not on top.
Given that it is Krankowsky’s last year as a Pontiac, he now has to look forward to the future. Although he has not decided where, he plans on furthering his education and possibly continuing to play hockey.
Playing Junior A hockey “definitely takes over and changes your lifestyle,” says Krankowsky.
