11th Edition of the CH Scholarship Program
Montréal, 28 février 2018 – Depuis 2008, les Canadiens de Montréal et la Fondation de l’athlète d’excellence (FAEQ) s’unissent afin de remettre des bourses dédiées aux étudiants-athlètes québécois les plus prometteurs en hockey. Tout juste avant la partie entre le prestigieux club de Montréal et les Islanders de New York au Centre Bell, ce soir, 28 jeunes hockeyeuses et hockeyeurs ont reçu une bourse de 1500 $ de l’organisation des Canadiens.
Student-athletes were chosen based on their athletic talent and achievements, as well as their academic journey.
«The organization of Canadians is both happy and proud to continue its commitment to the Foundation of the Athlete of Excellence and to encourage young hockey players in Quebec in their development,» said Geoff Molson.
Through their scholarship program, which has been in place for 11 years, the Montreal Canadiens contribute to the development of local hockey talent. The partnership between the Canadiens and the FAEQ was renewed in 2015 for five years, totaling an investment of $250,000 $ over five years to continue the program until 2020.
«The Montreal Canadiens are a prestigious partner for the FAEQ. Being supported by the CH for a student-athlete in hockey makes a real difference. The scholarship is valuable, of course, but the support is much more than monetary, notes Claude Chagnon, president of the Foundation. Young people feel directly supported by their idols, and this encouragement gives them wings. The FAEQ and the Canadiens will continue to move forward together for the success of student-athletes.»
This year, the scholarship program benefits 28 student-athletes between the ages of 15 and 18. Eight scholarships were awarded to female hockey players who are members of the Quebec team aspiring to be selected for the national team, and 20 other scholarships were granted to male hockey players from the Midget AAA League.
21 Academic Excellence scholarships were awarded to student-athletes who achieved noteworthy academic results, while 7 Academic and Athletic Success Support scholarships were granted to encourage better balance between sports and studies, a real challenge for many elite athletes. One of the FAEQ's eligibility criteria is the pursuit of studies, thus promoting preparation for life after a sports career.
The 28 student-athletes honored on Wednesday will follow in the footsteps of former scholarship recipients with inspiring careers, including Mélodie Daoust and Samuel Girard. In February, Mélodie Daoust participated in her second major Games in Pyeongchang with the Canadian team, which won the silver medal, while Mélodie was named the tournament's most valuable player. The forward was a recipient of the Montreal Canadiens' scholarship three times between 2008 and 2010. Samuel Girard, also a Canadiens scholarship recipient in 2010, skated on the coveted NHL rinks this year for his first games with the Nashville Predators and now plays with the Colorado Avalanche.
The Montreal Canadiens Scholarship Program is managed by the FAEQ in partnership with Hockey Quebec and the Midget AAA League.
