BONNYVILLE – “It’s surreal that you dream your whole life of something like this happening, and when it happens you have a tough time believing it.”
Bonnyville-native and former Jr. A Pontiac Brinson Pasichnuk’s aspirations of being nominated for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award have become a reality.
“I’m very grateful that God blessed me with this opportunity. I never expected to be up for it, so it’s pretty cool,” expressed the Arizona State University Sun Devils defenceman.
The prestigious accolade is presented to the hockey player of the year from United States schools within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
The three-part selection process begins with coaches from each division one institute putting forward the name of up to three athletes that show a high calibre of character on and off the ice, scholastic achievement and sportsmanship, making a contribution to the integrity of the team, and outstanding skills in all phases of the game.
Roughly 80 athletes were nominated for this year’s award. Players have until March 9 to see who will get the most votes, with the top 10 moving to the next round of considerations.
Members of the selection committee will determine which of the 10 players will be in the top three before the winner is announced in March.
Pasichnuk is currently in his fourth and final year with the Sun Devils. He’s collected 22 points in the 2019/20 season with four goals and 18 assists so far.
His hockey dreams started in local rinks when he played minor hockey in Bonnyville before joining the Cold Lake Freeze AA as a bantam player . He went on to hit the ice for midget AAA teams like the Lloydminster Rage and Bobcats.
During the 2014/15 season, the defenceman made the Jr. A Pontiacs roster and played two years alongside his older brother, Steenn Pasichnuk.
“That was a dream come true,” he exclaimed. “Me and my older brother dreamt of playing for Bonnyville our whole lives. We grew up watching the former Pontiacs play before us, and when we both finally made it… it was an answer to our prayers. It was surreal, and those were literally the best two years of my life.”
Pasichnuk played a total of 108 games during his years with the Pontiacs. He scored 28 goals and 66 assists for 94 points overall. The athlete was also a part of making Pontiac history, when the team made it to the AJHL north finals for the first time.
“That was really cool, and it brought us to tears,” Pasichnuk recalled.
The six-foot, 185-pound player was ranked in the NHL Central Scouting Players To Watch List in 2015.
Pasichnuk’s time playing in front of a hometown crowd was an experience he holds close to his heart.
“It makes you never forget where you’re from and who supported you through it all. I have nothing but good things to say about playing for Bonnyville, it’s some of the best years of my life.”
With voting for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award wrapping up on March 9, Pasichnuk is grateful for the outpouring of votes he’s received so far, especially from his hometown fans.
“I haven’t been living in Bonnyville for four years now, and I still have all of that incredible support, people reaching out to congratulate me, it’s just so cool and special to see,” he exclaimed. “That’s why I’ll never forget and will always love that hometown feel, because everyone is there for each other and that’s showing right now with people voting and talking about it, which is incredible.”
To view all of the nominees and cast a vote, go to hobeybaker.ca
