Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence – Tenth edition of the Montreal Canadiens bursary programme

BROSSARD (February 3, 2017) – For the tenth consecutive year the Montreal Canadiens and the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence are teaming up to reward the most promising student-athletes in men and women’s hockey. On Friday, at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, the Canadien practice facility, 29 young hockey players each received a $1,500 scholarship.

The recipients were selected for their on-ice achievements as well as their academic results and their involvement in the community. 

“We are honoured to be able to make a difference by contribution to the success of these young and talented players. They will become models for the next generation not only for their achievements on the ice but also for whatever they set to accomplish,” said Geoff Molson, president and CEO of the Montreal Canadiens. “I would like to thank personally congratulate every recipient and encourage them to relentlessly chase their dream.” 

Thanks to the programme created back in 2008, the Montreal Canadiens play an active role in the development of homegrown talent. In 2015, the partnership with the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence was extended until 2020 and as a result over the next years a total of $250,000 will be invested in the programme.

“Over the past 10 years the Montreal Canadiens have made a significant commitment in young student-athletes and as such have taken an important role in the advancement of our mission at the QFAE, said Claude Chagnon, president of the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence. We are pleased to work alongside such a prestigious partner and we pride ourselves in being able to make a difference in the success of our young student-athletes.”

This year the programme rewards 29 student-athletes between 15 and 17 years of age. Eight were awarded to laureate players from the women’s Quebec team looking for a selection with Canada’s national team while 21 scholarships were handed out to young hockey players at the Midget AAA level.

A total of 14 scholarships for academic excellence were awarded to student-athletes with notable scholastic results. Also, 15 scholarships for support for academic and athletic achievement were awarded to further encourage a better conciliation of sports and academics, which can constitute a real challenge for a number of elite athletes. One of the eligibility criteria for the Quebec Foundation of Athletic Excellence scholarships focuses in the scholastic perseverance of young athletes in preparing for a career after sports.   

The 29 student-athletes honoured on Friday will follow in the footsteps of former laureates, most particularly Nicolas Roy and Élizabeth Giguère, who recently distinguished themselves with the respective national team. Recipient of the Montreal Canadiens Bursary Programme in 2012 and 2013, Nicolas Roy earned a silver medal at the recent World Junior Hockey Championship. For her part, Elizabeth Giguère also won silver at the Nations Cup as a member of Canada’s National U-22 women’s team. 

The Montreal Canadiens Bursary Programme is administered by the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence in partnership with Hockey Québec and the Midget AAA hockey league.

RECIPIENTS OF THE 2017 MONTREAL CANADIENS BURSARY PROGRAMME
(29 scholarships of $1,500 each)

About the Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence
The Foundation has made a name for itself with a personalized approach, a rigorous style of management and its influential role in the sports and education circles. In 2017, the QFAE will award close to $1,350,000 in bursaries to over 475 student-athletes and encourage the conciliation of school and high performance sports. The QFAE teams up with former scholarship recipients and partners towards the success of all laureates in their academic and sports/personal advancement.

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Contacts:

Donald Beauchamp
Senior Vice President, Communications
Montreal Canadiens
514-989-2803

Patricia Demers
Executive Director
Quebec Foundation for Athletic Excellence
514-252-3171 ext. 3728