13 Former Warriors Capitalize on Scholarship Program
Robert Thomas
A record number of Western Hockey League (WHL) scholarships - 386 scholarships - are being used in the 2018 – 2019 academic year.
The number includes 13 former members of the Moose Jaw Warriors. The league number is up from the 364 scholarships from 2017-2018.
“The WHL and our Clubs are delighted to see a record number of our graduate players utilizing their WHL Scholarships to further their education at Canadian Universities and post-secondary institutions throughout North America,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison in a news release.
Tyler Brown used the scholarship program to attend Washington State University
“With the number of our graduates taking advantage of their WHL Scholarships increasing every year, it clearly demonstrates our WHL Club ownership are not only committed to providing our players with a world class hockey experience but also one of the most extensive educational programs in North America today,” Robinson stated in the release.
As part of their commitment to the players, the Moose Jaw Warriors provide scholarships to all former players based upon one year with the team and one year of tuition, books and compulsory fees are paid at a recognized post secondary institute. The scholarships must be applied for 18 months after leaving the WHL.
The WHL administers the scholarships on behalf of the league.
The majority of the funds are raised by the Moose Jaw Warriors Booster Club. The volunteers annually make a large contribution to the education fund and the team.
Related: Booster Club Has Banner Year
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.
This year, 242 of the 386 WHL Scholarship recipients are furthering their education at Universities in Western Canada, with 138 of those playing Canadian University hockey at the U SPORTS level in Canada West (CW) hockey league. In many cases, these student-athletes have combined their WHL Scholarship with additional financial assistance from Canada West Universities to receive the Western Canada Premier Hockey Scholarship.
A major reason for the WHL Scholarships is to recognize that not every player will make it to the NHL and this allows former players an opportunity for a high quality education and a good life after their WHL career is over.
Additionally, the league has an agreement with Athabasca University for active players to take accredited courses while actively playing.
The number of WHL Scholarships awarded during the fall academic semester has continued to trend upwards for 10 consecutive years. During the fall academic semester for 2009-10, a total of 253 WHL Scholarships were awarded. With 386 WHL Scholarships awarded for the fall semester of the 2018-19 academic year, this represents an increase of 52.6 per cent in activations over the past 10 years.
Here is a list of players the Warriors are responsible for in their post secondary studies for the 2018-2019 scholastic year.
University of Alberta : Zach Sawchenko
University of Calgary : Linden Penner
University of Lethbridge : Dallas Valentine, Torrin White
University of Manitoba : Justin Paulic
University of Regina : Ben Dupperault., Carter Hansen
University of Saskatchewan : Jesse Forsberg, Miles Warkentin
Simon Fraser University : Brandon Del Grosso
Trinity Western University : Brandon Potomak
Justice University of British Columbia : Royce Rossignol
Washington State University : Tyler Brown