WHL Communications

Highlights:

• WHL record 382 WHL graduates access WHL Scholarships during 2017-18 academic year
• U SPORTS David Johnston University Cup features 60 WHL Alumni competing this weekend in New Brunswick
• 25 Alberta Golden Bears and 24 Saskatchewan Huskies are WHL Scholarship recipients, as they compete this weekend at the University Cup

CALGARY – The Western Hockey League announced today a total of 382 WHL graduate players have been awarded WHL Scholarships for the fall and winter semesters of the 2017-18 academic year. The 382 WHL Scholarships awarded represent the highest fall and winter total in WHL history, improving upon the mark of 374 set during the 2016-17 academic season. 

This weekend, 68 WHL Alumni will compete for U SPORTS supremacy at the 2018 David Johnston University Cup in Fredericton, N.B. The WHL is represented with graduate players on seven of the eight team rosters competing in the tournament. All tournament games, including the bronze medal game, will air on USPORTS.LIVE. Semifinal action will be broadcast on Sportsnet 360 (12 p.m. AT & 4 p.m. AT). The action closes on Sunday, March 18 with the gold medal final, live on Sportsnet 360 (2 p.m. AT). For more information on the 2018 U SPORTS David Johnston University Cup, please visit UniversityCup.ca. 

This year, 183 of the 382 WHL Scholarship recipients are furthering their education while playing Canadian University hockey at the U SPORTS level. In Western Canada, 133 of these student-athletes are playing in Canada West (CW), and have in many cases combined their WHL Scholarship with additional financial assistance from their university in Western Canada to receive the Western Canada Premier Hockey Scholarship. 

Representing Canada West at the 2018 David Johnston University Cup are the Canada West Champion University of Alberta Golden Bears and University of Saskatchewan Huskies.

The University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, Sask.) leads all post-secondary institutions with 38 WHL graduates enrolled in full-time studies, while 34 former WHL players are registered at the University of Alberta (Edmonton, Alta.). The University of British Columbia (31), University of Lethbridge (25), University of Calgary (24), University of Manitoba (19), University of Regina (19) and Mount Royal University (17) also lead the way in WHL graduate enrollment. 

WHL Scholarship recipients are enrolled this year as full-time students at 78 different post-secondary institutions through North America.

Hockey Alberta leads all Western Canada branches, having produced 162 WHL graduates currently accessing their WHL Scholarship. BC Hockey (83), the Saskatchewan Hockey Association (75) and Hockey Manitoba (34) are also leaders, with Hockey North (Northwest Territories and Nunavut) and Hockey Yukon combining to produce two WHL Scholarship recipients. A total of 26 players from USA Hockey are also accessing their WHL Scholarship. 

Among the 2017-18 WHL Scholarship recipients, 59 WHL graduates are enrolled at universities in Eastern Canada, with 50 playing U SPORTS hockey at the Ontario University Athletics or Atlantic University Sport level. In total, 66 WHL graduates are enrolled at a Canadian College, other post-secondary institution, or in a trades or technical training institution, with 30 WHL graduates playing hockey in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) or the BC Intercollegiate Hockey League (BCIHL). Additionally, 15 WHL graduates are attending post-second institutions in the United States.

Administered by the WHL Office, WHL Scholarships are solely funded by the member Clubs of the WHL. This season, WHL Clubs will contribute in excess of $2.5 million to graduates utilizing the WHL Scholarship.  

“The WHL and all our member Clubs are delighted that a record number of WHL graduate players are taking advantage and utilizing their WHL Scholarship this year,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison. “The WHL Scholarship not only allows our players to pursue their academic goals at a post-secondary institution of their choice, but also provides the opportunity to continue playing amateur hockey at a very high level in the Canadian University system.” 

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, and the student-athlete can apply the funding to any post-secondary or career-enhancing program of his choice, including trades schools and professional career training programs. 

In addition, current WHL players also receive financial assistance for enrolling post-secondary classes while playing in the WHL, many of whom are taking online courses through Athabasca University. The WHL and Athabasca University have partnered to offer, through online and other distance education platforms, fully-accredited university courses to any WHL player interested in further pursuing post-secondary studies while playing in the WHL. 

Full funded by WHL member Clubs, all players currently playing in the WHL are encouraged to enroll in post-secondary courses. 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.

CLICK HERE for a detailed list of 2017-18 WHL Scholarship recipients

WHL Graduates competing at the 2018 U SPORTS David Johnston University Cup:

University of Alberta Golden Bears – WHL Alumni (25)

Player – Position – Hometown – Last WHL Club 

• Stephane Legault – Forward – Edmonton, Alta. – Edmonton Oil Kings
• Jamie Crooks – Forward – Vermilion, Alta. – Victoria Royals
• Taylor Cooper – Forward – Sherwood Park, Alta. – Regina Pats
• Luke Philp – Forward – Canmore, Alta. – Red Deer Rebels
• Steven Owre – Forward – Rocklin, Calif. – Medicine Hat Tigers
• Riley Kieser – Forward – Edmonton, Alta. – Edmonton Oil Kings
• Jayden Hart – Forward – Fort McMurray, Alta. –  Prince Albert Raiders
• Tyson Baillie – Forward – Edmonton, Alta. – Kelowna Rockets
• Brandon Magee – Forward – Edmonton, Alta. – Victoria Royals
• Cole Sanford – Forward – Vernon, B.C. – Regina Pats
• Trevor Cox – Forward – Surrey, B.C. – Vancouver Giants
• Lucas Nickles – Forward – Salmon Arm, B.C. – Tri-City Americans
• Cole Linaker – Forward – Edmonton, Alta. – Kelowna Rockets
• Clayton Kirichenko – Defenceman – Sherwood Park, Alta. – Medicine Hat Tigers
• Jason Fram – Defenceman – Vancouver, B.C. – Spokane Chiefs
• Graeme Craig – Defenceman – Red Deer, Alta. – Prince Albert Raiders
• Sawyer Lange – Defenceman – Prince Albert, Sask. – Prince Albert Raiders
• Ryan Rehill – Defenceman – Edmonton, Alta. – Kamloops Blazers
• Ben Carroll – Defenceman – Sherwood Park, Alta. – Edmonton Oil Kings
• Wil Tomchuk – Defenceman – Fort McMurray, Alta. – Prince George Cougars
• Dylan Bredo – Defenceman – Edmonton, Alta. – Medicine Hat Tigers
• Nick Charif – Defenceman – Edmonton, Alta. – Spokane Chiefs
• Brendan Burke – Goaltender – Scottsdale, Ariz. – Calgary Hitmen
• Kenny Cameron – Goaltender – Calgary, Alta. – Medicine Hat Tigers
• Zachary Sawchenko – Goaltender – Calgary, Alta. – Moose Jaw Warriors

University of Saskatchewan Huskies – WHL Alumni (24)

Player – Position – Hometown – Last WHL Club 

• Jordan Tkatch – Forward – Prudhomme, Sask. – Prince Albert Raiders
• Levi Cable – Forward – Hudson Bay, Sask. – Kootenay ICE
• Collin Shirley – Forward – Saskatoon, Sask. – Kamloops Blazers
• Connor Gay – Forward – Saskatoon, Sask. – Saskatoon Blades
• Carter Folk – Forward – Regina, Sask. – Victoria Royals
• Logan McVeigh – Forward – Kenaston, Sask. – Kamloops Blazers
• Michael Sofillas – Forward – Morden, Man. – Lethbridge Hurricanes
• Carson Stadnyk – Forward – Saskatoon, Sask. – Everett Silvertips
• Jaimen Yakubowski – Forward – Dalmeny, Sask. – Moose Jaw Warriors
• Kohl Bauml – Forward – Saskatoon, Sask. – Everett Silvertips
• Andrew Johnson – Forward – Saskatoon, Sask. – Swift Current Broncos
• Wyatt Johnson – Forward – Saskatoon, Sask. – Spokane Chiefs
• John Lawrence – Forward – Newdale, Man. – Calgary Hitmen
• Alex Forsberg – Forward – Waldheim, Sask. – Victoria Royals
• Kendall McFaull – Defenceman – Rosetown, Sask. – Moose Jaw Warriors
• Connor Cox – Defenceman – Lethbridge, Alta. – Everett Silvertips
• Colby Harmsworth – Defenceman – Saskatoon, Sask. – Calgary Hitmen
• Jesse Forsberg – Defenceman – Waldheim, Sask. – Moose Jaw Warriors
• Jordan Fransoo – Defenceman – North Battleford, Sask. – Victoria Royals
• Tanner Lishchynsky – Defenceman – Saskatoon, Sask. – Kootenay ICE
• Sam Ruopp – Defenceman – Regina, Sask. – Prince George Cougars
• MacKenzie Johnston – Defenceman – Swift Current, Sask. – Saskatoon Blades
• Taran Kozun – Goaltender – Nipawin, Sask. – Seattle Thunderbirds
• Jordon Cooke – Goaltender – Leduc, Alta. – Kelowna Rockets

St. Francis Xavier X-Men – WHL Alumni (4)

Player – Position – Hometown – Last WHL Club 

• Jagger Dirk – Defenceman – Penticton, B.C. – Kootenay ICE
• Mitchell Wheaton – Defenceman – Sherwood Park, Alta. – Saskatoon Blades
• Matt Needham – Forward – Penticton, B.C. – Kamloops Blazers
• Cole MacDonald – Forward – Wetaskawin, Alta. – Everett Silvertips

Brock University Badgers – WHL Alumni (3)

Player – Position – Hometown – Last WHL Club 

• Evan Morden – Defenceman – Swan River, Man. – Prince Albert Raiders
• Nathan Looysen – Forward – Saanich, B.C. – Kamloops Blazers
• Adam Beukeboom – Goaltender – Sundre, Alta. – Prince George Cougars

University of New Brunswick Varsity Reds – WHL Alumni (3)

Player – Position – Hometown – Last WHL Club 

• Luke Lee-Knight – Goaltender – Calgary, Alta. – Tri-City Americans
• Dylan Willick – Forward – Prince George, B.C. – Kamloops Blazers
• Rylan Parenteau – Goaltender – Saskatoon, Sask. – Tri-City Americans

Acadia University Axemen – WHL Alumni (8)

Player – Position – Hometown – Last WHL Club 

• Michael Zipp – Defenceman – Edmonton, Alta. – Calgary Hitmen
• Rodney Southam – Forward – Saskatoon, Sask. – Kelowna Rockets
• Sam Fioretti – Forward – Calgary, Alta. – Moose Jaw Warriors
• Boston Leier – Forward – Saskatoon, Sask. – Regina Pats
• Matthew Pufahl – Defenceman – Saskatoon, Sask. – Everett Silvertips
• Marc McNulty – Defenceman – Medicine Hat, Alta. – Moose Jaw Warriors
• Chance Braid – Forward – Wainwright, Alta. – Kelowna Rockets
• Jackson Houck – Forward – North Vancouver, B.C. – Calgary Hitmen

McGill University Redmen – WHL Alumni (1)

Player – Position – Hometown – Last WHL Club 

• Keanu Yamamoto – Forward – Spokane, Wash. – Spokane Chiefs

Summary: WHL Scholarships 2017– 2018

• Canadian Universities, Western Canada – 242
• Canadian Universities, Eastern Canada – 59
• Canadian Colleges and other institutions – 66
• U.S. Colleges, Universities – 15
• Total –  WHL Graduate Scholarships – 382

WHL Graduates continuing to play hockey at the elite Canadian University or College level:

• Canada West Conference – 133
• Ontario University Athletics /Atlantic University Sport Conferences – 50
• ACAC / BCIHL – 30
• Total – 213

Branch Summary: WHL Scholarships 2017-18

• British Columbia – 83
• Alberta – 162
• Saskatchewan – 75 
• Manitoba – 34
• North West Territories / Yukon – 2
• USA – 26
• Totals – 382