When the Bonnyville Pontiacs head to the Border City for their first matchup against the Lloydminster Bobcats on Tuesday, it carries more weight for Maxim Shushkov.
The Yaks defenceman is set to play his 100th game in a Pontiacs uniform.
“That’s definitely crazy,” said Shushkov, when told about the upcoming milestone.
These things haven’t been on his radar as he plays his final season of junior hockey — the third-year Pontiac has been more focused on improving and executing. He crossed the overall 100-game threshold for his junior and AJHL career on the first weekend of the season in Grande Prairie.
“It goes by quick,” he said. “I definitely can’t recall putting on the jersey 100 times, but knowing that it’s happened, it’s awesome. It’s been a blast every single game.”
Shushkov played his first with the organization on January 17, 2024, thrown into the fire as an affiliate against the Brooks Bandits. He was the young guy looking to take that next step. Shushkov would finish that season with Edge Prep School, winning a CSSHL U18 championship for the second consecutive year.
Despite short stints with the Sherwood Park Crusaders and Nanaimo Clippers, Shushkov has spent the majority of his career here in Bonnyville.
Now? He’s the veteran on the squad with the most games played for the franchise currently on the team.
“You learn so much and you don’t realize it in the moment, but I remember being 18 at camp and then being 20 at camp,” he said, looking back at the fall of 2024. “It’s very different, and I can help out the younger guys because I know how they feel.
“Then on the ice, just knowing that’s it’s your ice to own, and being able to help out your D partner, it makes a huge difference, and you can really feel it while you’re out there.”
Over the course of 99 games, he’s scored 10 goals and 53 points.
But the Airdrie blueliner has taken strides playing without the puck through the season’s first six games, earning the most minutes while being thrust in every situation, and also chipping in three assists.
“Shush has come back this year with a good mindset from a leadership standpoint, which has lead to him playing in all situations for us,” said coach Chad Mercier.
“He has really taken pride in the defensive part of his game over the summer making him a leader on and off the ice for us.”
Although the Pontiacs have learned some hard lessons in the first three weekends of the season, there’s a lot of belief that the additions they’ve made, especially on the backend, make them harder to play against in an ultra-competitive AJHL this season.
With the likes of Ismael Abougouche, along with newcomers Owen McCarthy and Vanek Popil, the Yaks have four defencemen with over 100 Junior A or WHL games played.
It’s coming. In Shushkov’s eyes, they stack up against anyone.
“I think it’s the best in the league, and I know the guys on our team agree,” said Shuskov, matter-of-factly. “We got guys that can play against other teams’ top lines, and then we also got guys who are going to be putting up points from the backend.
“We’re a great group of guys that all want to battle for each other. I think we’re slowly starting to put it together.”
This current stretch is a challenging one for the Yaks, who will play their third of five consecutive road games. They got their first victory of the season with a terrific 4-1 win against the Drumheller Dragons on Friday, and came within inches of tying the game with the goalie pulled on Saturday against the Calgary Canucks.
These next three matchups are all against North Division foes, making them even more important. After the Bobcats, they’ll face the Whitecourt Wolverines for the first time, then play their last game in Grande Prairie during the regular season.
“Every game we’re building, and I think we’re trending in the right direction for sure.”
Shushkov and the Pontiacs will be back in Bonnyville on Friday October 16th for the first time in five games. You can get your tickets at tickets.bonnyvillepontiacs.ca
