Just hours away from the Pontiacs Home Opening Game, the team has announced the remaining members of the leadership group for the 2023/2024 season.
The remaining members of the Pontiacs Leadership Group will be Max Sequin, Tyler Blocha, Joshua Simpson, and JR Ashmead. Here is what captain Nicolas Beaudoin who chose the leadership group this year and head coach Mario Pouliot had to say about the newly appointed assistant captains.
Max Seguin:
“I chose Max because ever since being a Pontiac, he has shown continued commitment of his craft on and off the ice,” said Beaudoin.
“He is a natural leader that works his tail off day in and day out. Seguin is a guy I look up to as a player and a person. He knows how to bring the best out of people and he will be a guy we rely on all season.”
“Max is another guy with great value,” said head coach Mario Pouliot. “He’s caring and everyone respects him.”
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Tyler Blocha:
“So, even though Tyler wasn’t here last year, his experience in Brooks winning the Inter-pipeline Cup and winning the Centennial Cup means a lot for our team.,” said Pouliot.
“What makes him an excellent choice is that experience combined with the fact that Blocha is a really good person with tremendous work ethic and he’s going to help us bring our team culture to the next level.”
“Tyler is an older veteran that has a lot of experience in the league,” said Beaudoin.
“He also has experience on what it takes to win it all in the AJHL. With this experience and his relentless work ethic he will be a key leader and driver for the team.”
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Joshua Simpson:
“I chose Josh because he is also an older veteran that has the right habits on and off the ice to be successful,” said Beaudoin.
“He’s simply a good example for the fellas. His ability to be a strong vocal leader in the room as well as his play on the ice will be an important asset to this team.”
“He’s a 20 year old veteran whose a really smart and well spoken kid,” said Pouliot. “He’s well respected from everyone here so it was a really good choice.”
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JR Ashmead:
“Since Jr came back for training camp he’s been doing really well.” said Pouliot. “He’s mentally in good shape, He’s physically in good shape, and leads by example.”
“I chose JR because he’s going into his fourth year as a Pontiac.” said Beaudoin. “He knows the expectations we have as an organization and what it takes to be a Pontiac.
“JR hits all of these boxes as he is a high IQ hockey player that plays the game in the right way. But more than that, he’s a great person off the ice that brings a ton of energy and the right attitude day in and day out to the rink.”
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“When we look at our leadership group, we have a lot of experience,’ said Pouliot. “We are going to have three 20 year old players with two 19 year old’s, and every one played in the AJHL last year.
“So for us, we are very happy with our leadership group, and these young men will take care of the rest of the team with the coaches.”
The coaches are here, the team has been picked, and now the leadership has been decided. With that, the Pontiacs are ready to get under way in what looks to be an eventful and exciting season.
The new Pontiacs leadership group will join the rest of their team tonight (September 15th, 2023) in an exciting home opener against the Drumheller Dragons at 7:00pm.
Fans can come down to the Centennial Centre early and take part in the Home Opening Tailgate starting at 5:00pm in the Centennial Centre Main Parking Lot.