PONTIAC defenseman Max Gottlieb played 50 games with the PONTIACS, picking up twenty-five points (4 goals and 21 assists) with twelve of his assists coming on the power play. He was chosen by the Muskegon Lumberjacks with their seventh pick in the ninth round (142nd overall).
“I’m honored to be drafted by such a great organization in Muskegon and I’m thankful for all of the coaching staffs and teammates that I have had along the way,” Gottlieb said. “Over the past season, I’ve gotten better at playing two-way hockey and learning the right time to create offense.”
Gottlieb felt that the move to the Alberta Junior Hockey League was the right move in his development. “Playing in the AJHL helped in a huge way,” he said. “The AJHL and the USHL have a similar defensively sound structure and certain physicality with all of their teams.”
Head Coach and General Manager Rick SWAN says that “Muskegon is getting a very smart offensive defenseman with great instincts. Max’s development over the course of the 2013/14 season was huge. He came here to learn and get better to create opportunities for himself and by the end of the season Max played in all situations. “ “I have no doubt that he will be a top end defenseman and will be a very good NCAA Division 1 candidate moving forward. He is a great kid and we wish him nothing but the very best of success.”
The Bonnyville PONTIACS organization, our community and our fans also wish Max all the very best in both his academic and hockey endeavors with Muskegon.