The Bonnyville Pontiacs are having arguably the best season in
franchise history and the hockey club is being rewarded for with a
handful of nominations for this year's Alberta Junior Hockey League Awards.
Three players, along with head coach and GM Chad Mercier, have been nominated for five awards, including:
• Julien Laplante for Most Valuable Player and Top Goaltender.
• Chad Mercier for Coach of the Year.
• Ty Carey for Rookie of the Year.
• Kevin Carthy for Most Dedicated Player.
Carthy said the number of nominations show the depth and strength of the Pontiacs organization.
“There are a lot of character guys here. Even with guys out, we've still been winning games,” said Carthy, the smooth-skating and energetic veteran centre.
The Pontiacs have clinched third place in the north division, the highest the team has ever finished in the AJHL north division.
They've closed in on a franchise record for points in a season (83). And their defensive game has been near impenetrable. The team has allowed a franchise-low 143 goals, while picking up a franchise-best nine shutouts, heading into the final weekend of the regular season.
As for Carthy's own nomination, he said he was surprised to be singled out among many dedicated players on the Pontiacs.
“Hard work everyday, it comes as second nature to me,” he said,
regarding his own work on and off the ice. “It's a big honour to be singled out, but I see this as a whole team award.”
Assistant coach Ryan Pollock agrees.
“Obviously the guys that have been singled out have had very strong seasons, but when you have that many nominations it's a real reflection on the strength of the team and the strength of the organization.”
The award winners are determined through voting by the league's coaches and general managers, with winners to be announced following the conclusion of the regular season Feb. 22.
Check out the Nouvelle's website Feb. 23 for a list of winners.
