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Pontiacs host first annual Education Breakfast

The Bonnyville Pontiacs held their first annual Education Breakfast on Monday morning. The breakfast was a fundraiser for the team's education fund.
Coach Chad Mercier addresses early-morning risers at the first annual Pontiacs Education Breakfast on August 23.
Coach Chad Mercier addresses early-morning risers at the first annual Pontiacs Education Breakfast on August 23.

The Bonnyville Pontiacs held their first annual Education Breakfast on Monday morning. The breakfast was a fundraiser for the team's education fund.

Speaking at the event were Pontiacs' top brass president Don Sydora, vice-president Trent Law and general manager and head coach Chad Mercier. Stepping up to the stage as guest speaker was Patrick LaForge, Edmonton Oilers president and CAO.

Being a fundraiser, about 320 attendees, including many prominent Bonnyville and area residents, looked to show support to their local Junior A team.

The Pontiacs education fund was created three years ago and contributes to the education of Pontiacs players while they are here playing hockey. Players can attend classes at Portage College and take SAT prep courses here in Bonnyville, with the complete support of the Pontiacs education fund.

In the past three years, over 30 players have taken SAT prep courses and more than 40 have taken college courses. During that time, the Pontiacs have raised more than $30,000 for their education fund, Law said.

LaForge praised the Pontiacs organization for the great work it does for the community of Bonnyville, in particular the education fund. He said the initiative is only going to improve the community, by adding to it bright, young, hard-working men. Adding, "we're only as good as the community we live in."

LaForge also took some time on stage to crack a few good jokes and thank his hosts for the warm welcome he received while in town. He said the great thing about Bonnyville is "if the community wants it, it will happen."

Next on the agenda were player introductions for the Black versus White intra-squad game.

With all the players introduced and on stage, Coach Chad Mercier stepped up to announce his team captain and three assistants. The Pontiacs captain for the 2010-11 season is third-year Pontiac Micheal Westfall. The three assistants include: third-year Pontiac Tyler Henry, Dante Borrielly and Kevin Carthy.

"It feels great," Westfall told the Nouvelle about being named captain, "It's an honour."

Speaking about the rest of the team, Westfall believes the Pontiacs "have a good group of guys coming back, with lots of talent . . . We are going to make a run this year."

Mercier also spoke about the Pontiacs main camp, which took place over the weekend. He said "this camp was the hardest fought camp in four years." Making for some "very tough decisions going into the season."

After the breakfast, Mercier said he was really happy with the turnout for the event and that a lot of people put in a lot of hard work to make this happen.

"They all deserve a thanks," he added. "We're already looking forward to next year's breakfast."

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