Mercier’s Pontiacs Ready to Set the Tone in Home Opener

Friday night in Bonnyville. The rink lights are warming, the stands will soon be packed, and the smell of popcorn is already drifting through the concourse. The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs are set to launch their AJHL season with their home opener tonight at the RJ Lalonde Arena — and Head Coach Chad Mercier says his group is ready to set the tone.

“We’ve had a good camp,” Mercier told me earlier this week. “The kids have been working hard. We want to set the tone early with how we play, and the home opener is a chance to do that in front of our fans.”

For Mercier, tonight isn’t just about two points in the standings — it’s about identity. “We want to be a team that competes every night,” he explained. “That means being tough to play against, sticking to our systems, and making sure the fans see our effort.”

The AJHL’s Changing Landscape

The Alberta Junior Hockey League is itself in a period of transition. With league restructuring and players eyeing opportunities across Canada and beyond, the AJHL has become even more competitive. Mercier embraces the challenge. “Junior hockey is always about development,” he said. “These players want to move on to college or pro, and it’s our job to give them that platform. But it starts here, with the day-to-day work.”

That work begins with a demanding schedule. “There’s no easy nights,” Mercier admitted. “That’s what makes this league good. Our guys need to be ready for that challenge every game.”

A Community Celebration on Ice

Still, there’s something special about nights like this one. A home opener in Bonnyville is as much a community celebration as it is a hockey game. Kids race to the glass, season ticket holders settle into their familiar seats, and the arena hums with anticipation long before the first puck drop.

“There’s nothing like playing at home in Bonnyville,” Mercier said with a grin. “The energy from the crowd—it’s something the players feed off. We want to make sure we give them something to cheer about.”

Tonight, the Pontiacs get their first chance. The lights are on, the barn is full, and junior hockey is back.

 

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Around the AJHL

The AJHL enters this season with a new look. Several teams have undergone coaching changes, the schedule has been realigned, and Alberta’s junior hockey landscape has shifted as leagues across the country compete for top prospects. The focus, though, remains the same: developing players for the NCAA, U SPORTS, and pro opportunities. For Bonnyville, that means competing not only for playoff spots but also for recognition as a program where players can take the next step.