Best of the best

By Brad D. Bates
C & G Sports Writer

Shores Unified senior forward tabbed league MVP

St. Clair Shores Lake Shore senior Chris Pontello has a knack for finishing, leading the St. Clair Shores Unified hockey team in goals the past two years, notching more than 25 each season.

This year, he also finished as the Macomb Area Conference Red Division’s Most Valuable Player.

“It feels good,” Pontello said. “Our whole team worked real hard this year, and it’s nice to be recognized as the top player in the league.”

Pontello was hard to miss on the ice this season, as his speed and skill led the Lakers to the 2009-10 MAC Red championship.

“His senior year, he had a pretty good year,” Lakers coach Frank DiCristofaro said of Pontello’s 29 goals and six assists. “Coaches know he has the ability to score quick and make their life miserable. We’ll miss him.”  

After spending time playing travel hockey, Pontello began his career with the varsity squad as a sophomore. He said his time in the high school game taught him lessons about the sport’s intangibles.

“High school is a lot more controlled,” Pontello said. “In high school, you’re working with a whole team for something. The team is more determined, working for a common goal.”

Pontello said he really took to heart the lessons that were imparted to him by his coaches.

“From the coaches, I learned you can’t replace hard work,” Pontello said. “You can’t sit back and wait for anything. You have to work for it.

“Never quit,” he added. “Take what people say to you and learn from it. Do it the best you can and do it 150 percent.”

He hopes to take those lessons with him to next level, as he said he plans to utilize his hockey skills to help further his education.

“Right now, I’m working to go to school, and hopefully, hockey helps me pay for college,” Pontello said of either getting a scholarship or signing with a junior team that will help pay for school.

“My goal is to focus on getting better and see where I can play next year.”

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Brad D. Bates at bbates@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1029.