Members of the Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs are heading to Russia to represent Canada.
Forwards Daine Dubois and Marc-Antoine Benoit, along with defencemen Jeremy Gervais and Josh Kroon will be joining head coach Rick Swan as part of Team Canada at the 2019 Jr. Club World Cup in Sochi from Aug. 23 to 31.
Swan described the opportunity as once-in-a-lifetime for himself and his players.
”I’ve been so blessed having been in three World Jr. A Challenges, and coaching against the best kinds in the world. Now, to be able to experience this, I feel really fortunate,” he expressed.
The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) announced on May 31 that a team of all-stars from Alberta would be representing Canada at the eight-team tournament.
A daunting process for Swan, along with his co-coach Boris Rybalka, was narrowing down the players to represent the maple leaf.
”We wanted to pick a team that could go over there and compete. Our goal is always to win and to be in a position to win our last game, we have to put our hearts and focus into our hockey experience... They’re all great character kids that we can trust as coaches to... (compete) in a short-term competition structure, and also have the character to be able to represent, not only our league, but our country and Hockey Canada in a matter beyond reproach,” he detailed.
Gervais wasn’t surprised when he heard Swan would be heading the team.
”He’s probably one of the best coaches in our league, so it wouldn’t make sense if he wasn’t part of the staff,” he said.
He’s most looking forward to playing alongside others from the AJHL and showing what he can do on the international stage.
The defencemen had eight goals and 33 assists last season to end with 41 points.
Dubois was happy to hear he’ll be competing alongside familiar faces.
”It will make it more comfortable at first, and just being able to share the experience like that with some of my friends that I’ll be in Bonnyville with afterwards that we can share some of the memories with. It will be a fun time to share with my friends,” he explained.
In 59 games in the 2018/18 season, Dubois had 19 goals and 32 assists for 51 points.
For newcomer Kroon, the tournament is also a chance to get to know his future teammates.
”I think it will be cool to get to know them before the season starts, and create new memories,” Kroon said.
He joined the Pontiacs after his team, the Calgary Mustangs, folded this year and he became a free agent. As a Mustang, he had 13 points from two goals and 11 assists.
Having the chance to travel to Russia and represent his country is one aspect Benoit is looking forward to.
”I didn’t think I’d have the chance to represent Canada in my life, I’ve never even had the chance to ever represent my province, so to represent Canada is pretty special.”
During the last season, Benoit had 64 points overall from 32 goals and assists.
Swan added, “It’s an opportunity to experience a culture and hockey that nobody or very few people will see in their life... I think it’s going to create memories for their whole lives and to be a part of that I feel humbled and privileged.”
Everyone agreed having the chance to travel to Russia and experiencing the culture will be an opportunity they won’t soon forget.
”We’re going to get to see something, like the Kremlin and the Red Army tour, and a lot of their historical things that they have,” detailed Swan. “Once we get acclimated to the Russian time-zone, they’re going to fly us to (where the) Olympics were held. We’re going to experience some of the best hockey in the world at a club level.”
