The Bonnyville Pontiacs are excited to announce its leadership group that will propel the team to success in the 30th anniversary season.
Kash Rasmussen will return as the team’s captain after wearing the “C” at the end of the 2020-21 season. The Cochrane native enters his 5th season with the Yaks having played 102 games in a Pontiac sweater. In 2019-20, Rasmussen was named the team’s Playoff MVP after scoring two goals and two assists in a six-game defeat to the Drayton Valley Thunder.
Joining Rasmussen as assistant captains are Bonnyville local A.J. Macaulay, Chayce Schmidt, Michael Fairfax, and Will Hilfiker.
Macaulay is already committed to University of Alaska-Fairbanks for the 2022-23 season and will be a mainstay on the backend for Bonnyville, a veteran of 71 games played over multiple seasons. Used in all situations, Macaulay routinely played top minutes during the shortened 2020-21 season.
Third-year forward Chayce Schmidt is one of the Pontiacs with the highest motor on the ice entering this season. Known for his hard work in the faceoff dot and penalty killing, Schmidt also potted three goals and seven points in 15 games last year.
While fans may not be as familiar with American imports Will Hilfiker and Michael Fairfax–they soon will be. Both were recruited to the Pontiacs last season playing in a handful of games in the developmental season and early games against the Whitecourt Wolverines and Grande Prairie Storm.
Fairfax hails from Toms River, New Jersey and is a big winger who scored one goal in his two regular-season appearances in 20-21. He will wear the “A” at home games.
Hilfiker, a rangy defenceman from Middletown, New Jersey, played games with Fairfax on the New Jersey Rockets in the NCDC in 20-21 after the Christmas break. Hilfiker will wear the “A” in road games this year.
The 30th season in Pontiacs history officially kicks off with the home opener Friday, September 17 against the Lloydminster Bobcats. All game audio will be broadcast on Lakeland Connect at lakelandconnect.net/pontiacs and video streams are on HockeyTV.
Upcoming Games:
Friday, September 17 vs. Lloydminster Bobcats (HOME)
Saturday, September 18 at Lloydminster Bobcats
Friday, September 24 vs. Whitecourt Wolverines (HOME)
Saturday, September 25 vs. Whitecourt Wolverines (HOME)
Tuesday, September 28 at Fort McMurray Oil Barons