MENZIES: HC Mario Pouliot leaves and the Bonnyville Pontiacs prepare for 20 games to go

Mario Pouliot is heading to Switzerland. The Bonnyville Pontiacs now carry on without him.

The news came as a surprise to the organization, on roster deadline day to boot. 

On Thursday morning, the Bonnyville Pontiacs announced that head coach Mario Pouliot, in his second season behind the bench, and in the first year of a newly signed two-year contract in the summer, has taken a professional head coach job in Switzerland. 

“From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all the board members, Pontiacs staff, and all the players I had the chance to meet and work with,” said Mario Pouliot, in a press release. 

“The first time I put my foot in the door I was given a warm welcome by everyone. I will miss all the front office staff, my coaching staff, players, and C2 staff as well. The RJ Arena was home away from home.” 

While the timing of the news comes out of the blue and is as importune as it gets – similar to how Pouliot was hired to replace Brad Flynn days before the 2022-23 regular season began – I’m happy the long-time junior coach gets a pro opportunity. 

However, for the here and now, the 25 players, assistants Darick Ste-Marie and Ryan Blocha, associate general managers Neil Langridge and Chad Nelson, I think have a right to feel somewhat jilted and left holding the bag with 20 games and a postseason to go. 

Jan. 10 was the first day teams could adjust their rosters, and most of it was spent charting a path behind the bench. 

Rightfully, the brass determined to not rock the boat very much. 

Backup goaltender Nathan St-Germain was sent to the Calgary Canucks, and defenceman Sam Moshurchak to the Camrose Kodiaks. 

Kyle Hagen, a 2005-born netminder who played 11 games with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League this season, will join the Pontiacs as the only addition. 

The piping hot Myles Gauld, with 9 goals and 5 assists in 13 games in Bonnyville, acts as the team’s significant add.

Where do they go from here?

Mario Pouliot is a major loss, there’s no question. He’s a two-time Memorial Cup champion, arguably the most accomplished coach in the Alberta Junior Hockey League. He’s been there, done that.

Conversely, Darick Ste-Marie and Ryan Blocha have 42 games of Junior A coaching experience, all gained this season.

The Quebec native leaves the Pontiacs with a legacy of a North Division final in his lone full season, and a regular season record of 56-38-6, precisely 100 games.

How do you fill a void for an interim coach in a pressure situation like this? You cannot hire a new head coach under the cosh like this. It isn’t prudent.

But you can’t punt on the season, either. Frankly, this team can still go on a playoff run. They sit 8th at the moment but were inconsistent anyways. They could beat Brooks, could lose to Olds.

The season isn’t over and no player should believe it is.

And let’s be honest. Pouliot can be a difficult coach to play for at times.

When the Yaks won just two of their last 10 heading into the Christmas break, I thought perhaps the group had tuned him out. But then they won four straight after the break.

Although the team wasn’t great in Tuesday’s 4-1 loss to the Blackfalds Bulldogs, neither was Blackfalds. It was a lame duck hockey game.

There’s meaningful hockey to be played. But no transition will be easy.

Oh, and by the way, the 4th place Okotoks Oilers, 7th place Calgary Canucks, and 1st place Brooks Bandits are on the slate for the next three games. At least they’re all at home.

The schedule does lighten up a bit in the remaining 17 games.

Two games against Drayton Valley, Camrose, Fort McMurray, and matchups against Olds and Canmore — winnable games are there.

This weekend will be our first look of Ste-Marie as the de-facto first in command and Blocha as co-pilot.

My assumption is Langridge and Nelson are canvassing for help, but will see how the two will do this Friday and Sunday.

You can listen to Michael Menzies every game, all season on lakelandconnect.net.