Rick Swan named Hockey Alberta Order of Merit award winner

Head coach and general manager Rick Swan after the Pontiacs 3-2 win over the Sherwood Park Crusaders in January. Image credit: Neil Langridge.  

Bonnyville Pontiacs coach and general manager Rick Swan has been named a recipient of the Order of Merit award presented by Hockey Alberta on Thursday.

These Order of Merit Hockey Alberta awards recognize exceptional leadership and distinguished service to amateur hockey in Alberta for 10 years or more.

Swan became the winningest coach in Pontiacs history last season after taking the reins in 2013.

He was named Head Co-Coach for Team AJHL (AJHL All-Stars) who played in the 2019 Junior Club World Cup in Sochi, Russia winning a silver medal.

He receives the honour on the coaching side with Fran Gow, coach mentor in hockey development for Hockey Alberta.

The Pontiacs earned a 33-21-4 record in 2019-20 for 4th spot in the AJHL North Division before bowing out in six games to the Drayton Valley Thunder.