Michael Pontarelli was the named the most valuable player and top forward in Canada just six weeks ago. Lots of attention from the United States Hockey League was almost immediate, and the allure could not be denied.
Pontarelli was drafted by the Muskegon Lumberjacks in last months draft. The top junior league in the United States took a shot at the top Tier II player in Canada. It seemed as though things were supposed to work out that way.
Michael Pontarelli tweeted yesterday “I’ve decided to play in Cornwall for one more year, Time to start getting ready for our season as defending champs.”
What is great for Cornwall may not be so great for Muskegon. After a very solid main camp in Muskegon Pontarelli was not even invited to the Black and Gold All Star game. This did not make sense to several scouts in attendance, and certainly could not have made sense to him.
With a Division 1 scholarship to Union for 2014, Pontarelli was clearly ready to play at the USHL level, and Muskegon had though enough of him to draft him. This is until Head Coach Jim McKenzie was fired, until the Ownership of the team changed hands, and until the General Manager that drafted him was no longer part of the organization.
Timing. It is certainly very important in the game, both on and off the ice. Sometimes the players that should make a team just don’t, sometimes coaches get it wrong, and sometimes a highly skilled player just doesn’t fit with a teams plans.
While the CCHL and Cornwall will provide Pontarelli a chance to play in front of family and friends once again, there really is no other benefit. The challenge of winning a championship may be motivating. Beating RPI’s Jacob Laliberte’s scoring record of 133 points in a season may be motivating as well.
In the end though the best players always want to play against the highest level of competition possible. While the CCHL is a very good league, many are wondering why not look for a new challenge. Pontarelli will undoubtably be the best player in the CCHL again this season. But why stay there? It would make sense for him to at least explore the NAHL in the United States wouldn’t it?
Pontarelli is a player who brings it every night. Muskegons loss is Cornwalls gain, but dont be surprised if the NAHL and its opportunity of free to play hockey comes calling. Dont be surprised to see an NAHL team make him an offer to be their top player and save him the CCHL pay to play fee’s.
No matter where he may end up, Pontarelli is a player hockey fans will be watching for years to come.
