Jon Kalinski on the Links for Pontiacs’ Alumni Tournament

Getting prepared for the Bonnyville Jr A Pontiacs’ Alumni Tournament former Philadelphia Flyer, Jon Kalinski was “hitting a lot of bushes”, at the Bonnyville Golf & Country Club, on Friday. The left-winger laughs that he had, “a couple of good shots, but it was mostly bogeys out there.” It appears golf will remain just for fun for the towering 6’1 forward, whose NHL career was cut short after a knee injury coupled with the NHL lockout in 2012 affected his free agency.

Growing up in LaCorey, just north of Bonnyville, hockey was always the dream for Kalinski, he used his time on the Pontiacs’ bench to learn discipline. “I had great coaches, and it’s all about hard work. Especially, if you want to play at the Junior A level, you have to be committed.” Selected, by the Flyers, in the sixth round, 152nd overall in the 2007 NHL Draft, Kalinski says he was grateful for the opportunity to play in front of the home crowd before making it big. “You have to be community oriented; it was great to play in my hometown.”

Take a lot from the coaches, the community, & family. – Jon Kalinski former Philadelphia Flyer

“Stick with it and work hard word,” is the best advice Kalinski has for the kids’ looking to break into the league. Making it in the NHL is considered rare; but there seems to be something about the Pontiacs’ organization that is breaking that rarity. Three have already made it the Chel,  Kalinski, Justin Fontaine (Minnesota Wild) and Mark Letestu (Edmonton Oilers) and it’s looking as though there are at least two more on the way, Bobby McMann and Brinson Pasichnuk. “We’re all small town guys. It’s all about playing hard,” sure there’s a certain luck involved as well, admits Kalinski, but overall it’s the hard work that’ll make you; not where you come from. “It’s great to see a lot of young guys coming up and making a name for themselves.”

With the Alumni Tournament just days away, Kalinski admits he’ll likely spend a lot of time on the links turning those bogeys in birdies. “I don’t live too far away. I’ll be coming out [to the course], as much as I can, trying to tighten up my game.”

There are some spots available in Saturday’s tournament which’ll feature alumni for the Pontiacs organization; including Jon Kalinski, Justin Fontaine, and Mark Letestu. To book a spot or a team, call Mark Jensen 780-812-0519.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN30wfJi5bA

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