Bonnyville Minor Hockey and Junior A Pontiacs Announce Groundbreaking Partnership BONNYVILLE, AB — July 2026 —

 

The Bonnyville Minor Hockey Association (BMHA) and the Bonnyville Jr A Pontiacs are thrilled to announce an innovative partnership for the upcoming 2026-2027 season, designed to elevate the hockey experience for players, coaches, and families at every level.

This collaboration bridges grassroots youth hockey with the Junior A ranks to foster a stronger local hockey culture and develop young leaders both on and off the ice. Key Highlights of the Partnership:

  • Advanced Player Development: New on- and off-ice opportunities designed to reach all age levels.
  • Coaching Mentorship: Elevating the quality of local coaching through direct collaboration with Pontiacs staff and elite thought leaders.
  • Parent Support & Education: Providing families with better resources and guidance to navigate their hockey journey.

 

"Ultimately, we hope to redefine the hockey experience for all players at every level, ensuring they develop a lifelong passion for the game," says BMHA President Willy Cole. "Our greatest risk would be to remain stagnant. Ultimately, the players will benefit from these efforts."

Neil Langridge, VP of the Bonnyville Pontiacs, echoes the excitement: "We are fortunate to be at the forefront of development and innovation in the game, and we are committed to finding creative ways to involve as many stakeholders as possible. Our community has made the Jr A Pontiacs a sustainable organization for 35 years, so we want to ensure we give back to the community that we are engrained into.”

Elite Leadership Backbone

Driving this initiative is Mark Maloney, Senior Advisor for Hockey Operations for the Pontiacs. A 30-year veteran of the sports industry, Maloney brings championship experience from the AHL, WHL, and collegiate levels. As a global leader in hockey development and the founder of over 20 sports academies across Western Canada, his expertise will directly impact Bonnyville's youth system.

"Grassroots initiatives are the foundation of all hockey communities," says Pontiacs Head Coach Chad Mercier. "It is crucial that we invest in our youth hockey system, as this is essential for developing young leaders."

Stay Tuned The program features multiple tiers of development. Families, players, and coaches are encouraged to follow both organizations' websites and social media channels for upcoming schedules, sample content, and event announcements