The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs saw three of their own shortlisted for the annual Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) awards.
On Wednesday, Feb. 13, the AJHL announced the finalists for the 2018/19 year-end distinctions.
Along with head coach Rick Swan for coach of the year, Luke Albert was nominated for outstanding defencemen, while Colby Muise got the nod in the top goaltender category.
General managers and coaches in the AJHL select two players from each team in the division to nominate for every category through two phases of voting. The winners will be revealed during the final week of the regular season.
Swan isn't a stranger to the honour. He's been suggested three times since the 2015/16 season, and even won in 2016/17.
Although it's an individual award, Swan believes it's reflective of everyone involved with the team.
"As a coach, you're only as good as the players that work for you, and only as good as their buy-in for what you're trying to teach them from a team structure perspective," he said, adding everyone involved behind the scenes of the Pontiacs allow him to focus on his job.
Neither Muise or Albert were surprised when they heard Swan made the shortlist.
"If you look at the team last year, finishing second to last, to this year's team being top of the north, it's indicative to the hard work that he puts into the team," Muise expressed.
While this is Muise's first nomination in the AJHL, he has received the top goalie honour before. Last year, he was chosen when he was in the Ontario Jr. A Hockey League (OJHL). At the time, he sported the North York Rangers jersey.
"It's nice to be recognized for the work you've done throughout the year, and just being nominated is an (accomplishment)."
As of Feb. 21, Muise has recorded 27 wins and 11 losses. He has three shutouts, and over 1,000 saves with a save percentage of .918.
He stressed the importance of his teammates when it comes to his success on the ice.
"To be a good goalie, you have to have a good team in front of you... It makes it a lot easier to play because you know they've got your back. It might be an individual award, but it's a real team effort to get that recognition."
Albert agreed.
"I owe it all to my teammates and the coaching staff... Playing with Bonnyville has been a once-in-a-lifetime chance for me," he exclaimed.
Out of 54 games played as of Feb. 21, the Pontiacs defenceman has 47 points overall with 12 goals and 35 assists.
This is Albert's first time being nominated for an AJHL award.
He was excited when Swan told him, describing it as the "icing on the cake" for the year.
Although he would have liked to see more representation from Bonnyville in the awards, Swan believes Muise and Albert are very deserving of the honours.
"They're guys that work hard as 20-year-olds to make sure everyday they come in with the right attitude to try to do the right thing and play the right way. Both kids understand doing right is an all the time thing."
He continued, "Those two have definitely had amazing second halves, and they're a big reason why our team has got the success that we have so far this year. For both of those guys to be recognized through the coaches in the north division isn't a surprise for me, but a reflection of what those coaches believe that they've added to the success that we've had."
