Symington Named AJHL Most Dedicated Player

Pontiacs Captain displays true leadership says coach

The Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) announced their league awards this week, with the Bonnyville Jr A Pontiacs’ captain Ryan Symington being awarded the AJHL Most Dedicated Player.

“It’s a huge honour to even be nominatd for [the award],” Symington says he was surprised to find out he had won, “I was surprised and happy about it.” Symington, who has been playing with the Pontiacs for three years, was called up this season to lead the team as their captain. He has led the Pontiacs to a third consecutive Top Four finish in the 2016-2017 Viterra AJHL North Division Standings.  The Mannville, AB native is fifth in team scoring with 38 points (12 goals, 26 assists) and recorded 3 game winning goals for his team.

I think of the AJHL Most Dedicated Award for someone who best represents his team, his community and our league through his character, positive attitude, dedication, leadership and combines a high sense of athletic ability with professionalism both on and off the ice. Ryan SYMINGTON embodies these traits by being a leader by example and whatever expectations he has of others he first expects it from himself. He holds himself to a high standard both on and off the ice in order to represent our organization and the AJHL in a manner beyond reproach.”  The Bonnyville PONTIACS are proud or Ryan’s recognition and it is well deserved. – Rick Swan Head Coach Bonnyville Jr A Pontiacs

Symington, who will graduate from the Pontiacs organization after this season, played out his final regular season game on Tuesday, “obviously, it’s an emotional game, for all the graduating players. For the most part the graduating players are pretty happy with our performance out there.”

Parents Barry and Lisa Symington are regular faces in the crowd at their son’s games. “He’s a great kid, he’s worked very hard for his sport,” dad, Barry says he’s proud of his son. Mom, Lisa, says his passion for hockey shines, “he deserves this award. On and off the ice, he’s a great kid. I’m extremely proud of him.”

Symington has yet to commit to a college level team, he says he’s been talking to a number of schools. The last and only time a Pontiac player has previously won the Don McNabb Memorial Trophy was Kevin Carthy in 2010-2011. For a list of other AJHL Award winners, check out the AJHL online.

The Pontiacs are in action this weekend, on the road Friday in Drayton Valley and Saturday in Grande Prairie