Montreal (April 14, 2022) – The Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ) reaffirms its support for the top up-and-coming hockey players through the Montreal Canadiens Scholarship Program within the FAEQ. This year, 26 student-athletes, who have distinguished themselves particularly through their academic achievements, will share 52,000 $ in scholarships.
The Montreal Canadiens Scholarship Program is celebrating its 15th edition this year. It is managed by the FAEQ in partnership with Hockey Québec, the Quebec M18 AAA Hockey Development League, and the Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ).
Aged between 15 and 17, the 26 recipients were selected based on their athletic achievements and academic results. One scholarship recipient was chosen from each of the 15 U18 AAA male teams, while 8 girls and 1 boy playing in the Ligue de hockey d’excellence du Québec (LHEQ) were selected. Two hockey players playing in the RSEQ will also be named later. One of the eligibility criteria was the continuation of studies, with the goal of promoting the recipients' preparation for their post-athletic careers.
What they said:
«The Canadiens organization has been very proud to encourage and recognize, for 15 years, the perseverance and achievements of elite-level student-hockey athletes in Quebec. After two atypical years, both on the ice and on school benches, we are resolved to applaud their efforts and resilience and to encourage them in the pursuit of their academic and hockey-related athletic journeys and in their quest to achieve their dreams and ambitions.»
– Geoff Molson, President and CEO of the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club
«Like the Fondation de l'athlète d'excellence, the Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club cares deeply about the athletic and academic success of Quebec's male and female hockey players. Its support for 26 student-athletes is a great source of pride for the recipients every year, encouraging them to give their all on the ice, but also in their studies. A fine example of perseverance is presented to them this season as Laurent Dauphin, Canadiens scholar during the 2011-2012 season, played 34 games with the Sainte Flanelle!»
– Martin Lavigne, President of the Fondation de l'athlète d'excellence
Many former Montreal Canadiens scholarship holders have been distinguishing themselves for years, including the Olympic medalists Melodie Daoust, Ann-Renée Desbiens, Marie-Philip Poulin and Lauriane Rougeau. Several of them also play in the NHL: Samuel Blais (New York Rangers), Maxime Comtois Anaheim Ducks, Laurent Dauphin Montréal Canadiens, Anthony Duclair Florida Panthers, Samuel Girard (Colorado avalanche), Alexis Lafrenière (New York Rangers), Michael Matheson (Pittsburgh Penguins), Samuel Morin Philadelphia Flyers Nicolas Roy (Las Vegas Golden Knights), Jeffrey Truchon-Viel (San Jose Sharks) and Joseph Veleno Detroit Red Wings.
2022 MONTREAL CANADIENS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM RECIPIENTS
(26 scholarships of 2,000 $ each)
| Women's section | |||
| Name | Age | City | Team |
| Academic excellence | |||
| Chloé Blanchard | 17 | Drummondville | Stars 55 of Mauricie – Centre-du-Québec |
| Élodie Boutin | 17 | Laval | Amazones of Laval-Montreal |
| Meghan Lesage | 16 | Saint-Félix-de-Valois | Laurentides-Lanaudière Stars |
| Frédérike Verpaelst | 17 | Sherbrooke (Rock Forest) | Sherbrooke Phoenix |
| Sidney Ullmann | 16 | Dorval | Warriors of Lake St. Louis |
| Support for academic and athletic success | |||
| Geneviève Bisson | 16 | Chelsea | Fearless of the Outaouais |
| Éloïse Caron | 16 | Saint-Hyacinthe | Remparts du Richelieu |
| Julianne Labbé | 17 | Wendake | Ace of Quebec |
| Men's section | |||
| Name | Age | City | Team |
| Academic excellence | |||
| Émile Beaunoyer | 15 | Drummondville | Albatross of the Notre-Dame College |
| Anthony Biakabutuka | 15 | Longueuil | Residents of Charles-Lemoyne College |
| Nicolas Bilodeau | 17 | Gatineau | Fearless Gatineau |
| Félix Caron | 17 | Terrebonne | Esther-Blondin College Phoenix |
| Gabriel D’Aigle | 15 | Sorel-Tracy | Saint-Hyacinthe Gauls |
| Xavier Daigle | 17 | Saint-Apollinaire | Knights of Lévis |
| Jérémie Dumas-Larouche | 17 | Sherbrooke | Magog Road Masons |
| Joshua Fleming | 17 | Montreal (Pierrefonds-Roxboro) | Lions of Lake St. Louis |
| Julien Lanthier | 16 | Saint-Eustache | Vikings of Saint-Eustache |
| Justin Lemay | 16 | Soul | Jonquière elites |
| Éliot Litalien | 16 | L'Ancienne-Lorette | Saint-François Seminary Blizzard |
| Eliot Ogonowski | 16 | Val-d'Or | Amos Foresters |
| Justin Poirier | 15 | Salaberry-de-Valleyfield | Grenadiers of Châteauguay |
| Luciano Ruggiero | 15 | Laval | Rousseau-Royal de Laval-Montréal (LHEQ M17 Hope) |
| Thomas Verdon | 16 | Montreal (Saint-Leonard) | Rousseau-Royal de Laval-Montreal |
| Support for academic and athletic success | |||
| Félix Lacerte | 15 | Trois-Rivières | Trois-Rivières Estacades |
About the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence (FAEQ)
Since its creation in 1985, the FAEQ has awarded no less than $19 million in bursaries, representing 6,525 individual bursaries to 3,300 different student-athletes. The FAEQ offers not only financial support to Quebec's student-athletes, but also support services in terms of academic guidance, balancing sports and studies, corporate internships, etc. The FAEQ stands out for its personalized approach, rigorous management, and influential role within the sports and education communities. faeq.com
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For all interview requests with one or more recipients, please contact Josée Robitaille at josee.robitaille@faeq.com.
Contact persons:
Annie Pelletier
Director of Communications and Partnerships
Excellence Athlete Foundation
514 252-3171, extension 3538
annie.pelletier@faeq.com
Chantal Machabée
Vice President, Hockey Communications
Montreal Canadiens Hockey Club
cmachabee@canadiens.com
