Prince George, BC - A dozen Prince George Cougars alumni are currently attending post-secondary institutions courtesy of the Western Hockey League's Scholarship program.The WHL announced today a total of 253 WHL graduate players have been awarded WHL scholarships for the 2009-10 academic year.
This season, 106 of the 253 WHL Scholarship recipients are furthering their education while playing elite hockey in the Canada West University Hockey League of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Association. These students have combined their WHL Scholarship with additional financial assistance from their Canada West University to receive Western Canada's Premier Hockey Scholarship.
"The WHL Scholarship continues to provide our players with an opportunity to continue their education at Universities and Colleges right here in Canada," commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison, "Our Clubs are fully committed to providing the most comprehensive education and scholarship program available in North America and we are delighted our graduates are taking full advantage of the opportunity to pursue their studies at a post-secondary institution of their choice."
Three former Cougars are attending the University of Alberta; Real Cyr, Greg Gardner and Eric Hunter. Scott Bowles, Curtis Cooper and Tyler Feakes are at the University of Lethbridge, while Myles Zimmer is at the University of Saskatchewan and Jordan White attends the University of British Columbia.
Four other Cougars graduates are at Canadian Colleges, with Levi Brotnov at Red Deer College, Chris Van Duynhoven attending BCIT in Burnaby, Steven Kajic is at Okanagan College in Kelowna and Josh Bray is at SIAST Parkland College in Melville, Saskatchewan.
All players who play in the WHL are eligible to receive the WHL scholarship. For every season a player plays in the WHL, they receive a full year guaranteed WHL Scholarship, including tuition, textbooks and compulsory fees, to a post-secondary institution of their choice. In addition, over 100 current WHL players receive financial assistance for education expenses to enroll in post secondary classes while playing throughout the course of the season. The WHL and Athabasca University recently entered into a new partnership that offers, through online and other distance education vehicles, fully accredited university courses to any WHL player interested in further pursuing post-secondary studies while playing in the WHL.
The WHL continues to be the leading provider of Hockey Scholarships in Western Canada. Since 1993, the Western Hockey League has awarded more than 3,500 Scholarships representing a contribution of more than $11 million.
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