QMJHL Cape Breton Eagles

Eagles Assistant Captain Launches "Slaney's Seats" Ticket Program

Published on October 1, 2008 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Cape Breton Eagles News Release


Sydney - Screaming Eagle Assistant Captain Robert Slaney is living proof that it is possible to balance academics and athletics and be successful at both.

The 20-year-old Cape Breton University student from Upper Island Cove, Newfoundland was named the CHL Academic Player of the Year last season and this season he attended the Carolina Hurricanes training camp before being reassigned to the Screaming Eagles. Upon his return, Robert realized that he had a tremendous opportunity to use some of these experiences to have a positive impact on area students. He purchased a pair of Screaming Eagles season tickets and decided to use them to bring in an elementary student to each Screaming Eagles home game as his guest.

"Growing up I had lots of encouragement from people around me to treat school as a top priority no matter what," said Slaney. "Playing hockey with the Screaming Eagles has given me a great opportunity to offer the same sort of encouragement to kids in this community."

The program that has been dubbed "Slaney's Seats" kicked off this past weekend when Robert had special guests in from Donkin Complex and Gowrie Elementary School at Friday and Saturdays games. For the remainder of the season, a different elementary school will be contacted and asked to nominate one of their students to be Robert's guest at a game.

"Hopefully this program can be used to motivate young students in the area to put a greater emphasis on school. I know growing up I always felt hockey was a bigger priority but thankfully I had guidance which forced me to put education right at the top of my list. I'm hoping to pass my knowledge on to these young people so they can benefit like I did"

Following the game the students are taken to ice level to meet Robert after the game. This gives Robert the opportunity to talk a little bit about the importance of making school work a top priority and how to keep a balance between their studies and other extra curricular activities - such as hockey.

"Growing up my parents made it perfectly clear that if I wasn't doing my work in school, there was no way I was going to be allowed to play hockey," said Slaney. "It really kept me motivated when I was a bit younger. Even though at that time to me hockey was the most important, the fear of not playing made me push myself in the classroom."

Robert doesn't find it difficult to stay motivated these days. Since joining the Screaming Eagles three years ago he has completed high school and has completed courses at Cape Breton University towards a Bachelor of Business Administration degree.

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from October 1, 2008


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