Last week, Matt Montesano became the eighth Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiac to commit to attend a post-secondary institution.
The Pontiacs organization and coaches Chad Mercier and Ryan Pollock have always pushed their players to pursue post-secondary education. With all graduating Pontiacs from last season's roster plus two others going on to university or college this fall, the organization is certainly doing something right.
Given the high-calibre level of hockey and the fact some of these young men are so talented, playing for the NHL is not a distant dream, but an actual possibility, it is easy to get swept up in the glory of sports and assume education is unimportant.
But no matter what one aspires to do in life, education is always unequivocally important. Going to school, learning and expanding your horizons is never a waste, regardless of what you do with your life.
It is very positive to see the Pontiacs organization seems to understand this as it pushes its graduating players to go to college or university and continue to play hockey at a high level. The organization will hold its second annual Pontiacs Education Breakfast Aug. 22 to express its commitment to helping players pursue post-secondary education and to raise money for the team's education fund. The fund helps players pay for college classes and S.A.T. preparation courses while playing in Bonnyville. It also gave four players $3,000 community scholarships last season.
“We're so much more than just coming to the rink and putting on skates. When these kids come to play in Bonnyville, we want them to be a whole, rounded person, getting that education, the hockey development, while also contributing to the community,” Pollock told the Nouvelle back in July.
All players involved in the game will attend the breakfast, as well as several Pontiacs alumni, including Mark Letestu, Jon Kalinski, and Lucas Isley. Former Edmonton Oilers equipment manager Barrie Stafford is scheduled to speak at the event.
While each Pontiac likely has dreams of playing for the NHL, they seem to realize the importance of pursuing post-secondary education, as instilled by the organization.
Perhaps the Pontiacs' former assistant captain Devon Kalinski said it best when he told the Nouvelle about his ambitions back in July.
“At this point in my life it has to be education first, hockey second. Even though, at times I know it could stray far from that,” he said.
“I have to come out of this with a degree, because hockey is a cruel mistress. You never know what she's going to do.”
