Sukovic & Batten given AJHL honours after 3-game win streak

After three victories in three appearances, two Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs were given Player of the Week honours. 

Luka Sukovic was named Player of the Week and Billy Batten was awarded Rookie of the Week following wins over the Fort McMurray Oil Barons, Canmore Eagles, and Olds Grizzlys. 

Each player reaped the benefit of a tremendous 1st period against Fort McMurray, which saw four goals scored in the span of 2:32, and a 5-0 lead into the first intermission. 

The 20-year-old veteran for the Yaks had four assists in that period, while Batten registered his 1st AJHL hat-trick in just seven minutes and twelve seconds of elapsed time.  

Both players left with four point games. 

Sukovic registered one goal and two assists vs the Eagles, and then notched his league-leading 32nd goal of the second in another offensive explosion period vs the Grizzlys. 

Batten earned two helpers against Olds, for a 6-point week, and his second AJHL Rookie of the Week nod. 

Sukovic, now the AJHL’s leading scorer with the exit of five teams, sits with 32 goals and 29 assists for 61 points. He is three points ahead of Bonnyville native and Lloydminster Bobcat Caden Cabana.  

This is the first time a Pontiacs player have received Player of the Week this season. 

Meanwhile, besides Batten’s two weeks as the top rookie, Michael Ryan in September, and Jack McAra in October have also gotten that recognition this season. 

Batten is tied for 2nd amongst AJHL rookie scorers with 7 goals and 26 assists in 2023-24. 

The Pontiacs have won five of their last six games, the lone blip a 5-4 loss to Drumheller. 

With the new look standings, Bonnyville has a record of 27-21-3, good enough for second in the league. 

Scheduling changes could be announced soon, as each team has a disproportionate number of games left on their slate because of the exiting five teams. 

For the time being, the Pontiacs will travel on the road this weekend for three games in three days. 

First, they take on the 1st place Whitecourt Wolverines, who they’ve beaten in both meetings this year on Friday. 

Then it’s their first visit to Grande Prairie for a Saturday night and Sunday matinee affair. 

Any schedule updates or changes, plus the announcement of the new playoff format, will be published on our website. 

You can listen to every Bonnyville Pontiacs game, all season with Michael Menzies on lakelandconnect.net/pontiacs.