More Than a Jersey: Pontiacs Show What Community Means

The Bonnyville Jr. A Pontiacs have been busy making an impact both on and off the ice this week, lending a hand to local seniors, helping young trick-or-treaters stay safe, and picking up a pair of road wins along the way.

While the Pontiacs are known for their battles in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL), their commitment to the community extends well beyond the RJ Lalonde Arena.

This Halloween, players traded their usual game-day responsibilities for a different kind of assignment: helping children and families safely navigate Bonnyville’s streets.

It’s a longstanding tradition for the organization, dating back more than 20 years. Although scheduling conflicts prevented the team from participating last year, the Pontiacs returned to the streets this Halloween, wearing their jerseys and helping young trick-or-treaters cross safely.

During a Halloween interview with Lakeland Connect’s Chad Colbourne, Pontiacs forward Louis Prystupa and goaltender Maverick Bell shared what it means to be involved in the community they represent.

“It’s awesome. It’s cool to see the people of Bonnyville and help them out, just doing something as little as helping them cross the street on Halloween,” Prystupa said.

For Bell, the experience carries an added sense of responsibility.

“It’s a dream come true. I’ve always looked up to those big guys, and to be one of those guys, it’s awesome,” Bell said.

The team’s Halloween volunteer efforts also included Braden Walters and Brady Whitehead, alongside their teammates.

 

Lending a Hand to Bonnyville’s Seniors

The community involvement began before Halloween.

On Friday, October 30, Ryder Naim, Riley Pederson and Elijah Fleck were at the Bonnyville Seniors Drop-In Centre, helping prepare for the organization’s monthly pancake breakfast.

From setting up tables to taking care of odd jobs around the centre, the players were happy to pitch in.

For Fleck, who joined the Pontiacs from Brooks, Alberta, community involvement is something he grew up seeing firsthand.

“Being from Brooks, you’ve grown up around the Bandits always helping out the community,” Fleck explained.

He recalled watching the Brooks Bandits participate in community activities and skate with younger players, experiences that have come full circle now that he is playing junior hockey himself.

“It’s kind of like giving back for everything in the hockey community,” he said.

Pederson, who comes from Smithers, British Columbia, shared a similar appreciation for small-town connections.

Growing up in a community of approximately 5,000 people without a junior hockey team, Pederson said being part of the Pontiacs has given him new opportunities to connect with younger athletes.

“My little brother, he’s 13 years old back in Smithers, and helping kids his age, trying to get better and stuff like that is just so much fun,” Pederson said.

“And then coming out here and helping people set up is just always lots of fun.”

For Naim, the connection is particularly personal. As a Bonnyville product, he’s giving back to the same community that supported his own journey through minor hockey and into the junior ranks.

During the interview, Naim credited his parents and family for supporting him throughout his hockey career.

Together, the players’ efforts remind everyone that being part of a junior hockey organization brings opportunities to make a difference beyond the rink.

Whether helping seniors prepare for breakfast or making sure children get across the street safely, the Pontiacs are building relationships with the people who support them throughout the season.

 

 

Pontiacs Building Momentum on the Road

The community appearances come during an encouraging stretch for the Pontiacs, who have also been finding ways to win on the ice.

On Tuesday, October 27, Bonnyville pulled off a remarkable comeback against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons.

Trailing 3-0 after two periods, the Pontiacs exploded for four unanswered goals in the third.

Rylan MacDougall started the comeback at 10:23 before Kinniburgh and Morin scored just over three minutes apart to tie the game.

MacDougall added his second of the night at 16:03 to give Bonnyville a 4-3 lead.

Fort McMurray answered late to force overtime, but the Pontiacs finished the job in a shootout, with Matthew Hilderman and Morin both converting.

Goaltender Maverick Bell made 28 saves in the 5-4 shootout victory.

The momentum continued Friday night in Drayton Valley.

After the Thunder opened the scoring, Bonnyville’s Emigh responded midway through the first period to even the game.

Brady Whitehead, one of the players who also participated in the Halloween community initiative, delivered the eventual game-winner on the power play at 14:02 of the second period, with an assist from Popil.

The Pontiacs controlled much of the action, outshooting the Thunder 38-13 in a 2-1 win.

Goaltender Pilon turned aside 12 of 13 shots to secure the win.

With two straight road wins, the Pontiacs return home with renewed momentum.

 

Up Next: Calgary Comes to Bonnyville

The Pontiacs are back at RJ Lalonde Arena on Sunday, November 1, at 5:00 p.m., to welcome the Calgary Canucks.

Prystupa said the team is focused on continuing to establish its identity.

“We’re going to come back, just how we did those last games, battling as hard as we can and building our identity and what our standard is, and we’re going to play that standard,” he said.

Bell is also looking forward to returning home and playing in front of the Bonnyville crowd.

“They’re a strong team,” Bell said of Calgary. “We’re ready for them and we’re at home and we’re excited to play in front of the fans.”

After a week of road wins, Halloween crosswalk duties and helping local seniors, the Pontiacs are giving Bonnyville plenty of reasons to cheer.

And while the scoreboard tells one part of the story, what these young athletes do beyond the boards continues to strengthen their connection with the community.

Puck drop: Sunday, November 1, at 5:00 p.m., RJ Lalonde Arena.

Catch the play-by-play on Lakeland Connect.