By Joshua Boyd / USPHLPremier.com
Max Kontir is in his second season of USPHL Premier hockey and truly loving it, especially knowing that he is already NCAA hockey-bound after the 2023-24 campaign.
Not long before New Year’s Day 2024, Kontir committed to Lebanon Valley College of Annville, Pa. The Charlotte Rush forward is certainly excited about his future destination based on conversations with eight-year Dutchmen Head Coach Don PArsons.
“We started speaking back in November and it didn’t take too long after speaking with Coach Parsons that LVC was becoming my top choice. He is the kind of coach I love playing for,” said Kontir, a native of Bethlehem, Pa., just over one hour from Annville. “They love my speed and the physical side of my game. I can score and I will go into the corner with anyone, I love to battle.”
He’ll be going into the corners of historic Hersheypark Arena, which also serves as the home to the USPHL Premier’s Hershey Cubs.
“LVC’s facilities were exceptional and the program is on the rise,” said Kontir. “In regard to academics, they have a great business program and that’s what I was looking for. We were able to visit it right before Thanksgiving break. Most of the kids had already left, but I loved the campus. What they offer the students seemed second to none and the athletic facilities were great. Meeting Coach Parsons sealed the deal for me, he’s a great guy and definitely someone I could trust and want to play for.”
Kontir came out of the New Jersey Jr. Titans program originally before signing last year with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights, with whom he played 36 games and scored 13 points, also making his USPHL Nationals debut with the team at Utica University Nexus Center, also the home of the 2024 USPHL Nationals – to which he has every intention of returning with his new team, the Charlotte Rush. With the Rush, he has a 13-13-26 line in 29 games.
“The Charlotte Rush is a winning organization and continually getting players to the NCAA so it was a no-brainer,” said Kontir. “It was the best decision I could have made, as I feel no other organization prepares you for the next level like they do. Coach Jewell was exactly what I needed this year to prepare me for the next step in my hockey career.”
With the Rush, and the Knights beforehand, Kontir has played all up and down the East Coast from Fort Myers, Fla., to Utica, and so many places in between, often as part of the unmatched USPHL Showcase Series.
“The USPHL is a great league, with great competition and they do a great job with all their showcases getting us in front of college recruiters,” he said.
When he gets to LVC next year, he wants to be a big help to his team right from the start.
“I am continuing to work on my hands and my footwork. I feel if you want to be successful at the NCAA level, you must have good hands and quick feet,” Kontir said. “I am also always working on my shot, I feel you can never work enough on that.”
The USPHL congratulates Max Kontir, his family, the Charlotte Rush and Lebanon Valley College for his commitment.
