Chad Mercier returns to the Pontiacs this April as the teams next head coach. Born and raised in Bonnyville, Chad began his coaching career over 25 years ago.
But before that he was a goalie. Chad’s playing career began in the Bonnyville Minor Hockey system, where he then went on to play junior hockey with the Regina Pats of the WHL from 1992 – 1997.
Following his junior career, Chad went on to be an assistant coach for the Pats from 1998 – 2004, including a trip to the memorial cup in 2001. He then signed on as an associate coach from 2004 – 2006 with fellow WHL team the Saskatoon Blades.
In total, Mercier spent 14 years in Saskatchewan before finally returning home to Bonnyville in 2006.
Following his return to town, Mercier went on to be the head coach and general manager of the Pontiacs for seven years from 2006 – 2013.
A family man at heart, Mercier resigned from the organization after the 2013 season to spend more time with his wife Kim and two young kids Haileigh and Mason. After taking a year away from any involvement with hockey, Chad signed on to coach the Bonnyville Senior Pontiacs for just the 2014 – 2015 season.
Chad would then spend the next few years focusing on his family and his two companies Sign Solutions in Bonnyville and All Brite Signs in Regina. Chad currently owns and operates both organizations alongside his business partners Trent Law and former Pats teammate Boyd Kane.
Not able to stay away from the greatest sport on earth for long – and with a son in the minor hockey system, Mercier began coaching again with Bonnyville Minor Hockey from 2016 – 2022. He then transitioned into more competitive youth hockey as the head coach of the AA Lakeland Panthers from 2022 – 2025.
This upcoming year will be his 8th season coaching in the AJHL.
