246 Whl Scholarships Awarded To Graduates

[scoreboard]

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8th, 2008

246 WHL SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO GRADUATES

CALGARY, AB – Ron Robison, Commissioner of the Western Hockey League, announced today that a total of 246 WHL graduate players have been awarded WHL Scholarships for the 2008-09 academic year.

The WHL Scholarship recipients are enrolled as full-time students in 57 different post-secondary institutions throughout North America.

This season 105 of the 246 WHL Scholarship recipients are furthering their education while playing elite hockey in the Canada West University Hockey League of the Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Association. These students have combined their WHL Scholarship with additional financial assistance from their Canada West University to receive Western Canada’s Premier Hockey Scholarship.

The University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon) leads the way with 29 WHL graduates enrolled in full time studies while 25 former WHL players are registered at the University of Alberta (Edmonton). The University of Calgary has 21 WHL graduates attending full time classes; the University of Manitoba (Winnipeg) has 17; the University of Regina has 16; the University of British Columbia in Vancouver has 15 while the University of Lethbridge has 13 WHL graduates enrolled in full time studies.


The WHL Scholarship recipients include 189 graduates attending a Canadian University, 152 of which are attending University in Western Canada. 37 WHL graduates are enrolled at Universities in Eastern Canada with 29 currently playing hockey in the Ontario and Atlantic Conferences of the CIS. Another 50 WHL graduates are enrolled at Canadian Colleges with six playing hockey in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) and seven are attending other post-secondary institutions throughout North America.

“The WHL Scholarship program allows our graduate players to not only pursue their post-secondary education at the institution of their choice, but also to continue playing an outstanding caliber of hockey at the University and College levels in Canada,” commented WHL Commissioner Ron Robison, “Our top players in Western Canada now recognize they can stay in Canada and receive one of the finest scholarships available in North America today.”

All players who play in the WHL are eligible to receive full WHL academic scholarships. For every season a player plays in the WHL, they receive a full year guaranteed WHL Scholarship, including tuition, textbooks and compulsory fees, to a post-secondary institution of their choice. In addition, while playing in the WHL, players receive financial assistance for education expenses such as high school fees and tutoring or fees for post-secondary courses, to ensure players reach their academic potential.

The WHL gratefully acknowledges the support of Husky Energy as an Associate Partner of the WHL Education Program.

The following is a listing of the 246 WHL graduate and players who have been awarded WHL scholarships for the 2008-2009 academic year and the post secondary institutions they currently are attending;

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK (29)
Zach Sim – Saskatoon, SK – Everett Silvertips**
Jonathan Bubnick – Saskatoon, SK – Kamloops Blazers
Casey Lee – Kindersley, SK – Kamloops Blazers**
David Reekie – Saskatoon, SK – Kamloops Blazers
Steve DaSilva – Saskatoon, SK – Kootenay Ice**
Chad Greenan – St. Albert, AB – Kootenay Ice**
Michael Kaye – Saskatoon, SK – Lethbridge Hurricanes**
R.J. LaRochelle – Swift Current, SK – Lethbridge Hurricanes**
Perry Faul – Esterhazy, SK – Prince Albert Raiders
Evan Schafer – Mankota, SK – Prince Albert Raiders**
Brett Novak – Melville, SK – Prince Albert Raiders
Brad Erickson – Saskatoon, SK – Prince Albert Raiders**
Ryan Blatchford – Kelvington, SK – Prince George Cougars
Brett Parker – Melville, SK – Prince George Cougars**
Myles Zimmer – Tisdale, SK – Prince George Cougars**
Colin Patterson – Saskatoon, SK – Prince George Cougars**
Jesse Zetariuk – Brandon, MB – Red Deer Rebels**
Preston Mosewich – Saskatoon, SK – Regina Pats
Curtis Patterson – Saskatoon, SK – Regina Pats**
Chris Durand – Saskatoon, SK – Seattle Thunderbirds**
David Linsley – Outlook, SK – Seattle Thunderbirds**
Cole Simpson – Tisdale, SK – Seattle Thunderbirds**
Steven Gillen – Saskatoon, SK – Spokane Chiefs**
Travis Brisebois – Kincaid, SK – Swift Current Broncos**
Andrew Leslie – Saskatoon, SK – Swift Current Broncos
Jeff Harvey – St. Albert, AB – Swift Current Broncos**
Jarrid Dowhay – Prince Albert, SK – Tri-City Americans**
Matt Swaby – Prince Albert, SK – Tri-City Americans**
Shaun Vey – Wakaw, SK – Vancouver Giants**

University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB (25)
Lee Zalasky – Lloydminster, AB – Calgary Hitmen**
Ryan White – Edmonton, AB – Kamloops Blazers**
Chris Cook – Calgary, AB – Kootenay Ice
Dale Mahovsky – Ft. Saskatchewan, AB – Kootenay Ice**
Derek Price – Fruitvale, BC – Kootenay Ice**
Kyle Pess – Red Deer, AB – Lethbridge Hurricanes**
Kieran Block – Edmonton, AB – Medicine Hat Tigers**
Brian Woolger – Edmonton, AB – Portland Winter Hawks**
Real Cyr – Victoire, SK – Prince George Cougars**
Greg Gardner – Cold Lake, AB – Prince George Cougars**
Eric Hunter – Winnipeg, MB – Prince George Cougars**
Shaden Moore – Edmonton, AB – Red Deer Rebels**
Braden Appleby – Camrose, AB – Regina Pats
Kyle Fecho – Hanna, AB – Seattle Thunderbirds**
Tyler Metcalfe – Headingly, SK – Seattle Thunderbirds**
Chad Klassen – Warman, SK – Spokane Chiefs **
Derek Ryan – Spokane, WA – Spokane Chiefs**
J.P. Szaszkiewicz – Edmonton, AB – Spokane Chiefs**
Marc Defoe – Trail, BC – Swift Current Broncos
Jason Fransoo – North Battleford, SK – Swift Current Broncos**
David Murray – Edmonton, AB – Swift Current Broncos
Trevor Peeters – Edmonton, AB – Swift Current Broncos
Andrew Bentz – Edmonton, AB – Tri-City Americans
Ian McDonald – Edmonton, AB – Tri-City Americans**
Aaron Sorochan – Edmonton, AB – Vancouver Giants**

University of Calgary – Calgary, AB (21)
Teegan Moore – Thompson, MB – Brandon Wheat Kings**
Kyle Annesley – Moose Jaw, SK – Calgary Hitmen**
Ryan Annesley – Moose Jaw, SK – Calgary Hitmen
Paul Gentile – Calgary, AB – Calgary Hitmen/Kamloops Blazers**
Brett O'Malley – Stettler, AB – Calgary Hitmen**
Reid Jorgensen – White Rock, BC – Kamloops Blazers**
Brock Nixon – Russell, MB – Kamloops Blazers**
Aaron Richards – Saskatoon, SK – Kamloops Blazers**
Conlan Seder – Surrey, BC – Kamloops Blazers
Liam Couture – Calgary, AB – Medicine Hat Tigers/Kelowna Rockets
Karey Pieper – Coronation, AB – Moose Jaw Warriors**
Dustin Butler – High River, AB – Portland Winter Hawks**
Ryan Gillen – Golden, BC – Prince George Cougars**
Jordan McLaughlin – Edmonton, AB – Prince George Cougars**
Brennan Chapman – Lloydminster, AB – Regina Pats
Joel Eisenkirch – Regina, SK –Saskatoon Blades**
Jevon Desautels – Alida, SK – Spokane Chiefs**
Jarrid Sauer – Medicine Hat, AB – Swift Current Broncos**
Torrie Wheat – Nanaimo, BC – Swift Current Broncos/Everett Silvertips**
Dan Ehrman – Duncan, BC – Tri-City Americans**
Gary Sylvester – Penticton, BC – Tri City Americans**

University of Manitoba – Winnipeg, MB (17)
Stéfane Lenoski – Winnipeg, MB – Brandon Wheat Kings**
Stewart Thiessen – Carman, MB – Everett Silvertips/Kelowna Rockets**
John Cara – Cartier, MB – Lethbridge Hurricanes**
Mark Olafson – Winnipeg, MB – Lethbridge Hurricanes**
Blaine Neufeld – Winkler, MB – Medicine Hat Tigers
Nick Hotson – Winnipeg, MB – Portland Winter Hawks**
Mike Hellyer – Brandon, MB – Prince Albert Raiders**
Daniel Lepp – Elm Creek, MB – Prince Albert Raiders
Colin Lafrenier – St. Anne, MB – Prince George Cougars
Pierre-Paul Lamoureaux – Grand Forks, ND – Red Deer Rebels**
Jared Walker – Winnipeg, MB – Red Deer Rebels**
Jesse Deckert – Winnipeg, MB – Regina Pats
Terrance Delaronde – Winnipeg, MB – Regina Pats**
Gavin McHale – Winnipeg, MB – Seattle Thunderbirds**
Josh Schappert – Winnipeg, MB – Seattle Thunderbirds
Kyle Howarth – Belair, MB – Spokane Chiefs**
Myles Rumsey – Winnipeg, MB – Swift Current Broncos**

University of Regina – Regina, SK (16)
Jeremy Creurer – St. Brieux, SK – Everett Silvertips
Cody Thoring – Swift Current, SK – Everett Silvertips**
Ryan Bender – Regina, SK – Kamloops Blazers**
Neil Kodman – Whitewood, SK – Lethbridge Hurricanes**
Dylan Chapman – Port Coquitlam, BC – Moose Jaw Warriors**
Justin Scott – Yorkton, SK – Moose Jaw Warriors
Brant Hilton – Winnipeg, MB – Prince Albert Raiders**
Caine Pearpoint – Regina, SK – Prince Albert Raiders**
Tanner Gillies – Moose Jaw, SK – Red Deer Rebels
Kyle Ross – Regina, SK – Regina Pats**
Matt Sawa – Regina, SK – Regina Pats**
Jordan McGillivray – Regina, SK – Regina Pats
Adam Ward – Swift Current, SK – Saskatoon Blades**
Ryan Sawka – Emerald Park, SK – Swift Current Broncos**
Dillon Johnstone – Frobisher, SK – Tri City Americans**
Bo Montgomery – Moose Jaw, SK – Lethbridge Hurricanes

University of British Columbia, - Vancouver, BC (15)
Thereon Yeo – Prince Albert, SK – Brandon Wheat Kings**
Brennan Sonne – Maple Ridge, BC – Everett Silvertips**
Brandon Campos – Port Coquitlam, BC – Everett Silvertips**
Clayton Bauer – Kelowna, BC – Kelowna Rockets**
Gerry Festa – Calgary, AB – Red Deer Rebels**
John Flatters – Calgary, AB – Red Deer Rebels**
Craig Lineker – Calgary, AB – Regina Pats**
Scott Lynch – Coquitlam, BC – Spokane Chiefs**
Jason Lynch – Coquitlam, BC – Spokane Chiefs**
Jeff Lynch – Coquitlam, BC – Spokane Chiefs**
Andrew Wasmuth – Langley, BC – Swift Current Broncos**
Matt Schenider – Vernon, BC – Tri-City Americans**
Max Gordichuck – Kelowna, BC – Vancouver Giants**
Darrell May – St. Albert, AB – Vancouver Giants/Portland Winter Hawks**
Keith Voytechek – Sherwood Park, AB – Vancouver Giants**

University of Lethbridge – Lethbridge, AB (13)
Tyler Feakes – Spruce Grove, AB – Calgary Hitmen/Prince George Cougars**
Mark Shefchyk – Winnipeg, MB – Calgary Hitmen/Vancouver Giants**
Paul MacDonald – Calgary, AB – Kootenay Ice**
Kris Deines – High River, AB – Prince George Cougars**
Scott Bowles – Creston, BC – Prince George Cougars**
Curtis Cooper – Kamloops, BC – Prince George Cougars**
Dustin Moore – Red Deer, AB – Red Deer Rebels**
Landon Jones – High Prairie, AB – Regina Pats**
Evan Haw – Fort McMurray, AB – Saskatoon Blades
Brandon Heatherington – Red Deer, AB – Seattle Thunderbirds
Andrew Pinsent – Calgary, AB – Seattle Thunderbirds/Chilliwack Bruins
Judd Blackwater – Lethbridge, AB – Spokane Chiefs**
Chris Inglis – Calgary, AB – Tri-City Americans

University of Victoria – Victoria, BC (5)
Kurt Kramer – Richmond, BC – Kamloops Blazers/Calgary Hitmen
Chris Favero – Langley, BC – Kamloops Blazers
Nathan Brice – Victoria, BC – Red Deer Rebels
Adam Geric – Victoria, BC – Saskatoon Blades
Luke Hughson – Smithers, BC – Swift Current Broncos
Nick Olynyk – Canora, SK – Tri-City Americans

Capilano Univeristy – North Vancouver, BC (2)
Sam Huston – North Vancouver, BC – Moose Jaw Warriors/Lethbridge Hurricanes
Josh Saywell – White Rock, BC – Lethbridge Hurricanes

Thompson Rivers University – Kamloops, BC (2)
Tyler Boldt – Winnipeg, MB – Kamloops Blazers
Justin Palazzo – Kamloops, BC – Prince Albert Raiders

University of Winnipeg – Winnipeg, MB (2)
Kyle Klym – Winnipeg, MB – Prince George Cougars
David Jacobson – Winnipeg, MB – Vancouver Giants

Vancouver Island University – Nanaimo, BC (2)
Carson McPherson – Shaunavon, SK – Lethbridge Hurricanes
Rob Woods – Courtenay, BC – Saskatoon Blades

Brandon University - Brandon, MB (1)
Mike Nichol – Brandon, MB – Brandon Wheat Kings

Simon Fraser University – Burnaby, BC (1)
Greg Alexander – North Vancouver, BC – Swift Current Broncos

Trinity Western University – Langley, BC (1)
Dustin Slade – Penticton, BC – Kamloops Blazers

II. Canadian Universities, Eastern Canada (37)
Name – Home Town – Club Responsible for WHL Scholarship
(**) Currently playing hockey in the Ontario University Athletics Conference or Atlantic University Sport Conference of the CIS

University of New Brunswick - Saint John, NB (7)
Tyler Dietrich – Vancouver, BC – Everett Silveretips
Jonathan Harty – Oromocto, NB – Everett Silvertips**
Derek Yeomans – St. Albert, AB – Kelowna Rockets**
Daine Todd – Red Deer, AB – Medicine Hat Tigers**
Alex Aldred – St. Albert, AB – Portland Winter Hawks**
Kyle Bailey – Ponoka, AB – Portland Winter Hawks**
Bretton Stamler – Edmonton, AB – Seattle Thunderbirds**

Lakehead University - Thunder Bay, ON (6)
Kris Hogg – Sicamous, BC – Kamloops Blazers**
Kalvin Sagert – Abbotsford, BC – Kamloops Blazers**
Devin Welsh – Winnipeg, MB – Kootenay Ice**
Brad Priestlay – Kamloops, BC – Portland Winter Hawks**
Andy Zulyniuk – Winnipeg, MB – Prince Albert Raiders**
Kyle Moir – Calgary, AB – Swift Current Broncos**

Acadia University – Wolfville, NS (5)
Derek Lewis- Penticton, BC – Everett Silvertips**
Kris Westblom – Meadow Lake, SK – Kelowna Rockets**
Travis Young – Souris, MB – Prince Albert Raiders
Paul Kurceba – Calgary, AB – Red Deer Rebels**
Chris Bruton – Calgary, AB – Spokane Chiefs**

University of Western Ontario – London, ON (4)
Jason Ertl – Red Deer, AB – Red Deer Rebels**
Yashar Farmanara – West Vancouver, BC – Seattle Thunderbirds**
Cody McMullin – Cranbrook, BC – Tri City Americans
Kyle Lamb – Coquitlam, BC – Vancouver Giants**

St. Francis Xavier University – Antigonish, NS (3)
Mark Louis – Ponoka, AB – Brandon Wheat Kings**
Brett Robertson – Strathmore, AB – Medicine Hat Tigers**
Kevin Undershute – Medicine Hat, AB – Medicine Hat Tigers**

Brock University – St. Catherines, ON (2)
Kurt Jory – Brandon, MB – Brandon Wheat Kings**
Isaac Smeltzer – Estevan, SK – Regina Pats**

Dalhousie University – Ottawa, ON (2)
Tyler Dyck – Calgary, AB – Brandon Wheat Kings**
Ben Van Lare – Dallas, TX – Saskatoon Blades**

University of Waterloo – Waterloo, ON (2)
Chris Ray – Kelowna, BC – Kelowna Rockets**
Sean Moir – Calgary, AB – Saskatoon Blades**

Wilfred Laurier University – Waterloo, ON (2)
Philip Magistrale – Delta, BC – Lethbirdge Hurricanes**
Tyler Grover – Consort, AB – Portland Winter Hawks

Carlton University – Ottawa, ON (1)
Alex Archibald – Ottawa, ON – Prince Albert Raiders**

Concordia University – Montreal, QC (1)
Nic Knudsen – Aldergrove, BC – Saskatoon, SK**

Royal Military College – Ottawa, ON (1)
Matt Fetzner – Royston, BC – Portland Winter Hawks

University of Windsor – Windsor, ON (1)
Jim Watt – Edmonton, AB – Spokane Chiefs**

IV. Canadian Colleges (50)
Name – Home Town – Club Responsible for WHL Scholarship
(**) Currently playing hockey in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC)

SAIT Polytechnic – Calgary, AB (7)
Derek Werenka – Airdrie, AB – Brandon Wheat Kings
Kevin Boutilier – Calgary, AB – Chilliwack Bruins
Mike Ulrich – Calgary, AB – Lethbridge Hurricanes**
Devyn Tremblay – Calgary, AB – Medicine Hat Tigers
Donnie Lloyd – Cranbrook, BC – Swift Current Broncos
Colin Stone – Calgary, AB – Swift Current Broncos
Cole Butterfield – Ponoka, AB – Tri-City Americans

NAIT – Edmonton, AB (6)
Jeff Topilko – Vegreville, AB – Brandon Wheat Kings**
Josh Pokol – Warman, SK – Kamloops Blazers
Kevin Reinholt – Tofield, AB – Kelowna Rockets**
Joel Henituik – Spruce Grove, AB – Red Deer Rebels**
Derek Reinhart – Rosalind, AB – Regina Pats
Cody Bogner – Edmonton, AB – Kamloops Blazers

Grant MacEwan College – Edmonton, AB (4)
Tyler Strautman – Leduc, AB – Brandon Wheat Kings
Mark Ashton – Fort Saskatchewan, AB – Lethbridge Hurricanes
Garth Collins – Edmonton, AB – Prince Albert Raiders
Dan Waschuk – Edmonton, AB – Regina Pats **

Mount Royal College – Calgary, AB (4)
Riley Merkley – Blackie, AB – Calgary Hitmen
Scott Bolland – Calgary, AB – Lethbridge Hurricanes
Matt MacDermott – Lloydminster, AB – Regina Pats
Joel Rupprecht – Okotoks, AB – Spokane Chiefs

Lakeland College – Lloydminster, AB (3)
Mark Kress – Regina, SK – Everett Silvertips
Josh Morrow – Sherwood Park, AB – Medicine Hat Tigers
Jordan Fuder – Cold Lake, AB – Regina Pats
Augustana – Camrose, AB (2)
Jesse Smyke – Calgary, AB – Everett Silvertips
Luke Boyer – Calgary, AB – Prince George Cougars**

BCIT – Burnaby, BC (2)
Kevin Opsahl – Trail, BC – Portland Winter Hawks
Mike McDonald – Vancouver, BC – Portland Winter Hawks/Prince Albert Raiders

Lethbridge College – Lethbridge, AB (2)
Randy King – Salt Lake City, UT – Everett Silvertips
Brian Sydiaha – Moose Jaw, SK – Prince Albert Raiders

Red River College – Winkler, MB (2)
Jamison Orr – Winnipeg, MB – Vancouver Giants
Brennan Zasitko – Arborg, MB – Everett Silvertips

Royal Canadian Mounted Police Academy – Regina, SK (2)
Dalyn Flatt – Teulon, MB – Saskatoon Blades
Kirk Meaver – Williams Lake, BC – Tri-City Americans

Briercrest College – Caronport, SK (1)
Jordan Funk – Abbotsford, BC – Everett Silvertips

CFA Institute (1)
Ken Davis – Calgary, AB – Prince George Cougars

Concordia University College – Edmonton, AB (1)
Nicholas Harsula – Vegreville, AB – Seattle Thunderbirds

Criti Care Fire Academy – Winnipeg, MB (1)
Brent Howarth – St. Andrews, MB – Kelowna Rockets

Great Plains College – Rosetown, SK(1)
Lance Redden – Macorie, SK – Prince George Cougars

Kwantlen University College – Vancouver, BC (1)
Darryl Yacboski – Langley, BC – Regina Pats

Manitoba Emergency Services College – Brandon, MB (1)
Justin Lucyshyn – Saskatoon, SK – Tri-City American/Prince George Cougars

Medicine Hat College – Medicine Hat, AB (1)
Justin Cruse – Rosthern, SK – Medicine Hat Tigers

Northwest Law Enforcement Academy – Winnipeg, MB (1)
Donnie Glennie – Winnipeg, MB – Medicine Hat Tigers/Tri-City Americans

Okanagan College – British Columbia (1)
Sasha Golin – Summerland. BC – Portland Winter Hawks

Olds College – Olds, AB (1)
Darryl Moscaluk – Edmonton, AB – Swift Current Broncos

Red Deer College – Red Deer, AB (1)

Levi Brotnov – Little Smokey, AB – Prince George Cougars

SIAST (Parkland College) – Melville, SK (1)
Jordan Morgan – Regina, SK – Prince Albert Raiders

SIAST (Kelsey Campus) – Saskatoon, SK (1)
Karsten Felske – Prince Albert, SK – Prince Albert Raiders

SIAST (Woodland Campus) – Prince Albert, SK (1)
Joe Logan – Gull Lake, SK – Vancouver Giants

Vancouver Police Academy – Vancouver, BC (1)
Andrew de Sousa – Richmond, BC – Regina Pats

III. US Colleges/Universities (7)
Name – Home Town – Club Responsible for WHL Scholarship

Arizona State University – Tempe, AZ (1)

Curtis Kelner – Peoria, AZ – Calgary Hitmen/Spokane Chiefs

Boise State University – Boise, ID (1)
Aaron Roberge – Post Falls, ID – Portland Winter Hawks

Everett Community College – Everett, WA (1)
Eric English – Vancouver, WA – Everett Silvertips

Minnesota State University – Mankato, MN (1)
Aaron Bader – Fairbault, MN – Seattle Thunderbirds

University of North Florida – Jacksonville, FL (1)
Devin Wilson – Regina, SK – Everett Silvertips

University of Oregon – Eugene, OR (1)
Michael Senseman – Beaverton, OR – Regina Pats

Washington State University – Pullman, WA (1)
John Togiai – Portland, OR – Portland Winter Hawk

Summary: WHL Scholarships 2008-2009
Canadian Universities, Western Canada - 152
Canadian Universities, Eastern Canada - 37
Canadian Colleges - 50
U.S. Colleges, Universities - 7
Total - WHL Scholarships – 246