The Athletes' Excellence Foundation and the Molson Foundation are joining forces to support LHJMQ players in their journeys and transitions.

Montreal, March 3, 2021 — The Fondation de l’athlète d’excellence (FAEQ) and the Molson Foundation are joining forces to improve the support and guidance provided to players in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) from the moment they enter the league, through their glory years, and all the way to their transition toward post-secondary studies or the job market.

Concerned about the fate of these young men at the dawn of adult life, FAEQ, thanks to financial support from the Molson Foundation, wants to get involved in the well-being, personal growth, human development, and achievement of the personal, academic, and vocational goals of these young hockey players so that they feel ready when the time comes to hang up their skates. This support will be provided in collaboration with each team's tutors and academic advisors, hockey staff, and parents. The services implemented by FAEQ are:

• Personalized follow-up with all QMJHL players, active or former;
• Meetings with parents, hockey staff, tutors, and academic advisors regarding new services offered to players;
• Access to academic and vocational guidance;
• Job interview simulation;
• Resume writing assistance;
• University admission monitoring;
Mentoring;
• Networking opportunity;
• Corporate internships, observational or paid.The QMJHL offers exceptional support to its student-athletes and its long-standing partner, Alliance Sport-Études, also offers support and services to QMJHL players in balancing hockey and college studies: the FAEQ will introduce complementary services with the goal that each player leaves the league with a concrete plan for the next stages of his life.

«We are convinced that we can make a real difference in the preparation and life transition of these hockey student-athletes who must absolutely view this step as the continuation of their life plan instead of a plan B. We have tools, a network, and great opportunities to offer them.»

«The Molson Family is deeply committed to the success of young QMJHL hockey players. For us, it is entirely conceivable that these athletes can put their many qualities as leaders, teammates, and disciplined, committed, persevering, and determined athletes toward a well-chosen, thoughtful, and successful future project. We are therefore very pleased to fund the support services that will be provided by a trusted long-time partner, the FAEQ. We will all benefit from being able to support our leaders of tomorrow.»

«Every year, the QMJHL aims to improve its academic program and the support offered to student-athletes while they play in our league, but also when they finish their journey with us to take on new challenges. The involvement of the FAEQ is great news for our hockey players, who will have additional tools to better guide them toward what awaits them after their time in the junior ranks. There is no doubt that the »school of life" principle offered by the QMJHL will only be enhanced with the addition of these services, to the great benefit of the student-athletes, who will be able to plan a balanced and reassuring transition at the dawn of an important stage in their lives.

«Educational and vocational guidance services are offered by cégeps, as needed, to QMJHL student-athletes, and they can also take the college course The Athlete's Post-Career, which the Alliance recently created. Our student-athlete support services help them succeed, but the more-than-welcome involvement of the FAEQ and the Molson Foundation will enrich the players» training, notably by helping them identify the academic path that suits them best and by offering advice and tools to facilitate the next steps of their journey.»

About the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ)
Since its creation in 1985, FAEQ has awarded no less than $18 million in bursaries, representing 6,000 individual bursaries to 3,000 different recipients. FAEQ offers not only financial support to student-athletes in Quebec, but also support services in terms of academic guidance, balancing sports and studies, corporate internships, etc. FAEQ stands out for its personalized approach, management rigor, and influential role within the sports and education communities. faeq.com

About the Molson Foundation
The Molson Foundation brings together organizations and institutions from across Canada to stimulate innovation and create lasting change for the benefit of society as a whole. By focusing on the fields of education, health, arts, and culture, we are investing in the future. fondationmolson.org/fr/About the QMJHL
The QMJHL’s mission is to develop hockey through the athletic and academic support of its elite players in a safe and educational environment to prepare them for adult life. QMJHL

About the Alliance Sport-Études
The Sport-Études Alliance, recognized and subsidized by the Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur, now brings together 45 colleges, Cégep à distance, and 9 universities. Its mission is to support the academic success and perseverance of high-level Quebec athletes pursuing post-secondary education. More than 1,400 student-athletes from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and over 50 sports federations are enrolled in it. Alliance Sport-Études