The Bonnyville Pontiacs are proud to announce the return of one of the best head coaches in franchise history.
As of Monday, Chad Mercier has been hired to become the next head coach of the organization, and relieved Ayrton Nikkel of his duties. Mercier was formerly the coach, as well as general manager, of the Bonnyville Pontiacs for seven seasons from 2006-07 to 2012-13.
During his tenure, he collected a record of 221-156-41 with six ties. He said if he ever returned behind the bench in junior hockey, there was only one place he’d coach – right at home in Bonnyville.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to return and try to look after some unfinished business,” Mercier says. “Obviously, things have changed since I’ve last been there. But that’s the exciting part is the growth, and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”
The Pontiacs finished the season with a record of 20-30-4, the lowest win total since 2001-02, and missed the playoffs. The organization wishes the very best to Ayrton Nikkel in the future and thank him for his hard work and dedication to the Pontiacs franchise.
“The Bonnyville Pontiacs organization have very high expectations of the teams performance both on and off the ice. The management team and the board were disappointed with how this season played out,” said associate general manager Neil Langridge.
“When the opportunity arose to bring back a coach of Chad Mercier’s quality and reputation, we felt it was a decision that needed to be made in the best interest of the team. We thank Coach Nikkel for his efforts this past season and wish him the best going forward.”
Born and raised in Bonnyville, Mercier played five seasons as a goaltender for the Regina Pats of the Western Hockey League. That’s where his coaching career began in 1998-99 as an assistant coach, and then associate coach for the Regina Pats and Saskatoon Blades, respectively, for nine seasons.
Returning to town in 2006, twice Mercier’s teams hit the 35-win plateau, and only once did the team finish below .500.
In recent years, he helped guide the Lakeland Panthers U15AA team to a Provincial gold medal in 2023-24, and the Lakeland Panthers U16AA team to a 4th place finish just a couple weeks ago.
He consulted as a goalie coach with the Pontiacs organization in 2023-24. Off the ice, Mercier has been a proud business owner in the community, where he and his wife raise their two children.
The Pontiacs will announce more information about organization structure in the coming days.
