Local Austin Saint signs with the Bonnyville Pontiacs

The Bonnyville Pontiacs will have two local kids suiting up for the team next year.

Austin Saint signed a contract a week ago with the Junior A squad, joining fellow local AJ Macaulay on the team.

“It was pretty special. Growing up in Bonnyville I always came to the games as a kid. I know for me and my family, we were always wanting me to play here, so to be able to play here full-time it’s pretty special for me and my family,” said Saint.

The 17-year-old played for the Midget AAA Fort Saskatchewan Rangers scoring 15 points in 34 games this season. For the past two years, he was playing in Lloydminster.

“It’s pretty fun getting into different towns and seeing the way they run things in different places. It’s pretty cool to see that stuff. I think after awhile you start to miss home too. I think it’s pretty fun to do that.

“I think in small towns everything is a little more magnified. You have a bigger crowd with you and you’re kind of the role models for everybody,” said Saint.

Saint says he likes to model his game after the big moment performers.

“I like to think of myself as somebody who can be physical and change the game that way but also be effective on the scoreboard and score some goals. I think I just try to be effective in any way I can and contribute any way I can.

“There’s not anyone in particular, but there’s a lot of guys when they’re in the playoffs they up their game a lot more than some others. I think I just like to roll my game like guys like that who step it up in the playoffs and who are game changers,” said Saint.

Saint will suit this summer with the Junior B Lakeland Heat lacrosse team.

“I’ll just try and keep in shape for the hockey season. This year, my dad was trying to get me back into it to keep in shape, not lose my cardio for the season,” said Saint.