Congratulations to Brinson PASICHNUK and Bobby McMann of the Bonnyville PONTIACS for winning a gold medal at this year's World Junior A Championship.
“I was privileged to be a part of the Team Canada West Selection Camp and both Brinson and Bobby did the Bonnyville PONTIACS organization proud. They were exceptional in earning a spot on an outstanding Team Canada West team and they played a significant role during the tournament,” says Head Coach and General Manager Rick SWAN. “The PONTIACS organization, their fans and the entire community are tremendously excited for their 'incredible opportunity' which very few players will ever achieve in their Junior hockey careers.
Brinson and Bobby are the first Bonnyville PONTIAC players to be selected for Team Canada West since alumni Steven SEIGO and Justin FONTAINE.
In the 10-year history of the World Junior A Challenge just two teams have managed to strike gold.
Team Canada West managed to win its fourth gold medal of the international tournament with a 2-1 victory over Russia on Saturday at the Cobourg Community Centre.
The Americans are the only other club that have managed to win this event. The U.S., which has six tournament titles to its credit, was forced to settle for the bronze this year.
The Canada West entry was comprised of players from the British Columbia Hockey League, Alberta Junior Hockey League and the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
Players from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and the Superior International Junior Hockey League were also eligible for the squad. But no players from these two circuits managed to crack the roster.