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Pontiac chosen as defensive player of the week

Gervais
Pontiac Jeremy Gervais was named last week's AJHL defensive player of the week. - File Photo

Pontiac Jeremy Gervais' work on the ice hasn't gone unnoticed.

The 20-year-old was named the Alberta Junior Hockey League's (AJHL) defensive player of the week from Nov. 25 to Dec. 1.

During Bonnyville's trip down south Nov. 26 to 30, where they picked up six out of eight possible points, Gervais recorded seven assists over the four games.

"We had a good week as a team, and it was really nice to have my success looked at by the league," Gervais expressed.

Head coach Rick Swan wasn't surprised when he heard the announcement.

"He's a high-end skilled player with an extremely high hockey IQ to be able to read the game at an elite level for a 20-year-old. That allows him to be able to play in those offensive situations, and create opportunities for our team on the scoreboard," he said.

Gervais wracked up five goals and 16 assists for 21 points as of the end of November. He came in fourth on the team for scoring, and landed fifth overall among AJHL defencemen. So far this season, he's managed six goals and 17 assists for 23 points.

This isn't the first time Gervais has received the nod. He was chosen for the accolade last season for the week of Oct. 14 to 20.

"It turned a corner a little bit for him last year," Swan noted. "It gave him some confidence even beyond what we were hoping for... We're hoping this elevates his performance again and turns another corner, because if he's at his very best, and one of our best players, then it makes us a lot more difficult to play against."

The emphasis the coaches place on team bonding is what Gervais thinks made him stand out on both occasions.

"Just being with the guys, we become a lot closer and just that many games in that short of a period, you just keep your confidence up and you feel good out there every shift."

Swan said, "With the teams that we played and how tough the schedule was, it took the whole team to make sure that we were buying in each and every single night. There was no way we could beat a team like the Okotoks Oilers without that commitment and team effort. Jeremy was certainly one of those guys, especially in that game, that elevated his level of play to give us that opportunity to be successful."

Heading into the rest of the season, Gervais plans to concentrate on getting better each time he hits the ice.

"I'm going to keep focused on the things that make me the player that I am, listen to the coaches, play for my teammates, and everything will work out."

Robynne Henry, Bonnyville Nouvelle

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