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WHL Spokane Chiefs

Over 30 Former Chiefs Awarded WHL Scholarships

October 24, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Spokane Chiefs News Release


Spokane, Wash. / Calgary - The Spokane Chiefs, in concurrence with the Western Hockey League, announced today that a franchise record 31 former Chiefs players have been awarded WHL Scholarships for the fall semester of the 2019-20 academic year. They are part of a league record 391 total WHL players awarded, improving upon last year's mark of 386.

WHL Scholarships are solely funded by the member clubs, including the Spokane Chiefs, and administered by the WHL Office. This season, WHL Clubs will contribute in excess of $2.8 million (CAD) to WHL graduates utilizing the WHL Scholarship. Since 2009-10, WHL Clubs have awarded 3,868 WHL Scholarships, representing a contribution in excess of $22 million (CAD) by WHL ownership to WHL graduates.

"Once again, the WHL and our WHL member Clubs are very proud to see a record number of WHL graduate players making the most of their WHL Scholarships as they further their education at Canadian Universities and post-secondary institutions throughout North America," commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. "We are very pleased our graduates are utilizing their WHL Scholarships at an increasing rate each year, which provides a clear indication that our WHL Club ownership continue to provide one of the most comprehensive education programs in North America, in addition to a world-class hockey experience."

Every player who plays in the WHL is eligible to receive the WHL Scholarship. For every season a player plays in the WHL, they receive a guaranteed, full-year WHL Scholarship including tuition, textbooks and compulsory fees to a post-secondary institution of their choice. The WHL Scholarship is a fully-guaranteed academic scholarship with no requirement to play university hockey to qualify. The WHL graduate can apply the funding to any post-secondary or career-enhancing program of his choice, including trades schools or professional career training programs.

Fully funded by WHL member Clubs, all current WHL players are encouraged to enroll in post-secondary courses. This season, over 140 current players are taking post-secondary courses while playing in the WHL. The financial assistance received for post-secondary studies while playing does not impact on the WHL Scholarship benefits a WHL player is entitled to upon graduating from the League. The WHL and Athabasca University have partnered to offer, through an online distance education platform, fully-accredited university courses to any WHL player interested in further pursuing post-secondary studies while playing in the WHL.

Of the 31 Chiefs utilizing their scholarship, 21 are continuing their hockey career at the Canadian university level. Notable former Chiefs to follow a similar path include defenseman Jason Fram, who was twice named USPORTS Defenceman of the Year, and Derek Ryan, who played four years at the University of Alberta and is now a forward for the Calgary Flames of the NHL.

Former Chiefs Awarded WHL Scholarships (Institution)

Matt Berlin (University of Alberta)**

Zach Fischer (University of Alberta)

Dalton Hamaliuk (University of Alberta)**

Curtis Miske (University of Alberta)**

Luc Smith (University of Alberta)**

Tanner Wishnowski (University of British Columbia)

Luke Harrison (University of Calgary)**

Jordan Henderson (University of Calgary)**

Jayden Sittler (University of Calgary)

Jeff Rayman (University of Lethbridge)**

Cedric Chenier (University of Manitoba)

Lasse Petersen (University of Manitoba)

Connor Chartier (Mount Royal University)**

Tyson Helgesen (Mount Royal University)**

Mitch Lipon (Mount Royal University)**

Tyler King (University of Regina)**

Jeff Faith (University of Saskatchewan)**

Evan Fiala (University of Saskatchewan)**

Wyatt Johnson (University of Saskatchewan)**

Nolan Reid (University of Saskatchewan)

Rykr Cole (Carleton University)**

Matt Sozanski (Carleton University)**

Keanu Yamamoto (McGill University)**

Riley Whittingham (University of Prince Edward Island)**

Markson Bechtold (University of Waterloo)**

Kolten Olynek (University of Western Ontario / King's University College)**

Marcus Messier (University of Windsor)

Alex Mowbray (York University)

Dawson Weatherill (Red Deer College)

Jacob Cardiff (Sask Polytechnic)

Jake Toporowski (Western Illinois University)

WHL Scholarship recipients are enrolled this year as full-time students at 76 different post-secondary institutions throughout North America.

Among the 2019-20 WHL Scholarship recipients, 145 WHL graduates are enrolled at universities in Eastern Canada, Canadian colleges, trades or technical institutions, or attending post-secondary in the United States.

The number of WHL Scholarships awarded during the fall academic semester has continued to trend upwards for 11 consecutive years. During the fall academic semester for 2009-10, a total of 253 WHL Scholarships were awarded. With 391 WHL Scholarships awarded for the fall semester of the 2019-20 academic year, this represents an increase of 54.5 per cent in activations since 2009-10.

Summary: WHL Scholarships 2019 - 2020

Canadian Universities, Western Canada - 246

Canadian Universities, Eastern Canada - 71

Canadian Colleges and other institutions - 57

U.S. Colleges, Universities - 17

Total - WHL Graduate Scholarships - 391

Check out the Spokane Chiefs Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from October 24, 2019


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